Daycare prob... can you give me your advice??? Please read...?

Yes, it feels unfair to pay when you are not there. But, it is really hard to find someone you trust and is good with your kids for a reasonable price. How big of a deal is it for you to find someone new?

If it is a big deal, I would pay her... The 3 days pay is worth it for someone who is watching the most important thing in your life. Professional places expect you to pay if you are there or not. Quality childcare professionals need a steady income too.

I would not want to hurt the relationship over 3 days pay.

If your friend is only doing this temporarily, you are already paying top salary, or you are already thinking of switching I would just give a big tip.

I would also sit down and talk about it. It is better to set expectations in the beginning.

Good Luck!

You know I think you guys should draft a contract. Something simple but that will protect and give both parts peace of mind.

Her how much she's charging you, what about illness etc.. holidays, etc

And you agreeing to a certain pay, bi-weekly etc etc....

Just talk it over with her.. maybe she doesnt know when you're going to pay her and how much etc, etc

tell her well since Im off those 3 days and I;ll be watching him then you're not working so I wont be paying you, or pay her as any regular babysitter for the Stat holiday which would be Thanksgiving Day ONLY.

In Canada a Stat holiday is paid at the same rate agreed upon but for a work day of 8hrs, sucks if you work 10... but that's the law here.

I think you need to agree to all these things, and how about vacation, hers and Yours... what happens then.. etc etc...

and I agree money is always a touchy subject with friends... specially if you're paying them... if it concerns you I'd look into getting your son into regular daycare...

Well-if your baby was in a daycare, you would have to pay for the entire week regardless of how many days you used them. Since its your friend, she may cut you a break. Just talk with her honestly about it. If you two can't communicate, should she really be watching your son? Also as for her asking you about money at work..she's got to plan and budget im sure..with the holidays coming up. It was probably her way of trying to figure out the question you just asked. Good luck!

It wasn't the best time to contact you when you are at work but at least it was a text and not a phone call. My guess is she is uncomfortable discussing money with you so that's why she texted you instead of just asking you hen you picked your son up. You could maybe ask a few moms you know or on here what the norm is so you could say "this is what most other people do" so nobody feels ripped off. At my son's dayhome I pay for last minute days off (ie sick) but not stat holidays (usually closed), her holidays, her sick days or my days off (with notice). I think this is fair but as long as you both agree to it beforehand any pay arrangement should work for you. It's great to have a friend instead of a stranger but you risk losing a friend (and childcare) unless everyone feels the situation is fair.

If you don't have a contract, she doesnt' have a daycare license and is basically a babysitter not a professional daycare provider (not that this is bad at all). You do are not required to pay her for days she doesn't watch your son, it was inappropriate for her to text you at work to ask about money and you should mention that to her. But you shouldn't be expected to pay her if she's not watching the kid.

I would give her at least some payment--kind of as a paid holiday. In the future, have a formal contract that specifies what to do on days that she isn't being used. Remember, she is counting on that money for income and so for you to just not pay her when she wasn't warned that it wasn't going to be a work time.

Also, I don't think texting you at work was wrong. She didn't call you. Texts are easy to ignore if you're busy. Remember she was dealing with work issues for herself, so it was one worker calling someone else who is working.

Speak openly with her about how you hadn't thought about holidays before and that after Thanksgiving you'll make a formal plan, but for now you're going to pay her for whatever you decide (again, I'd at least pay for Thanksgiving).

Hope that helps.

this is what i do...my sister-in-law watches my son 4 days a week every other week...the other week she watches him 3 days...She only has him for the longest of four hours..(the time between me leaving for work and my husband coming home). I pay her $ 50 per week..no matter what. I figure this makes up for the time she may have him longer when my husband comes home later than usual. I have taken some days off recently and still have payed her the whole $50 a week. Again to make up for the times my husband will be longer than usual getting home...or the times we may want a night out.

Since there is no contract she is not entitled to any money when the kids are not in her care. I don't know what state you are in, but in most states, if you are watching children for a profit you have to, have a license, legally you don't have to pay her, but if you want to keep the tension down you can. I feel that it is very unprofessional of her to conduct business while you were at work, she should have waited until she had a chance to meet with you face to face, true business people do not discuss money over the phone.

do you pay her per by week or day? if you pay a flat rate every week and did not previously discuss it, i bet she expects the same...

But since it's a friend, i'd def talk to her first and say that you need to establish if it's daily or weekly! I wouldn't want to lose a great caregiver over a couple days of misunderstanding...

At our daycare, it's paid monthly, in advance, but we pay by DAY so we do NOT get money back for days not used due to illness (because they're essentially holding the spot i guess) But we don't pay fro holidays, etc. Planned in advance. It sucks, but it's hard to find daycare at all these days so we suck it up!!! Good luck!

I don't think you have to pay her for those times she's not watching him I mean it's not like she's at work and gets paid for holiday hours that she's off for. Just a suggestion why don't you put ur son in a normal daycare where he's around other kids and he'll learn stuff and play games gets involved in school activities and stuff I think that ur money would be spent well knowing he's getting something out of it.