how much would you pay for 2 hours of after-school care?

[katelou]

My daughter will start preschool in the fall, 3 days a week. I have a good friend on my block who is a SAHM with one kid, a year older than mine, and we spend a lot of time together. She offered to pick my daughter up from school (3:05 PM) and watch her til I get home (5:00 PM). I'm really excited about the prospect because this will be DD's first time in school (we have in-home grandma care) and I'm afraid it would be a really long day for her to add group after-care.

How much should I offer to pay her per day? If it matters, her son goes to a different school and rides the bus, so she will be making a special trip. But my DD's school is only 0.3 miles from her house, so it's a quick drive or a 5 minute walk each way. Anyone have a similar situation?

TIA!

[Deleted]

I'd pay $10 or $15 per day.

[sunbutter]

I have been thinking about this myself and here, I would imagine  most sitters would ask for $15/hr..

[somebabiesmom]

I would settle on a flat weekly amount regardless of holidays/vacation - that way you could negotiate a little lower rate, but she gets the benefit of getting paid even when you don't need her. $15 seems extremely high to me since that translates to a $31K salary (which is a decent wage for a full-time semi-professional position) and this is a part-time gig for a non-professional position. I'd suggest $80 a week ($75+$5 for gas) and you'll provide LO's afterschool snack and drink.

[Pevensie]

Usually moms watching your kid in addition to their own are a little bit cheaper. I think I would offer $10/hour, so $60/week. Have you talked about whether she will cover the whole afternoon on half days?

[katelou]

Thanks for the input. I probably only take home $17/hour after taxes (and I have my MA and a job in IT) so there's no way I'm paying anyone $15 an hour, especially not in their own house. The school based aftercare is only $5/day, and I'm willing to pay more than that, but at some point it will cease to be worth it. I guess I'll have to feel her out and see what she thinks is fair. I value her friendship and I don't want to insult her or make her feel used, but I'm not willing to spend hundreds a month either.

[callmeKD]

I think our DCP charges $35/week for after school care. I think $10-$15/day sounds reasonable.

[momofcatan]

I think $10/day is reasonable (or even generous), if you could be paying $5/day for aftercare.

[CoverGirl82]

We pay our DCP $15 per day for before and after care for DS, who is in school. That's the same amount the school charges for before and after care each day.

Edit:  I also feel that DS is much happier and more content with our (in-home) DCP (same one he's gone to his whole life) for before and after care, plus it's one less stop for us since DD is still full time with our DCP.