Finding reliable, quality child care at an affordable price is a challenge for most parents. Safe, dependable childcare costs are rising and these costs sometimes limit daycare choices for many families.
The cost of in-home childcare varies significantly from state to state and is dependent upon a variety of factors. On average, parents can expect to pay anywhere from $400 to $1000 per week for in-home child care.
Factors That Contribute to the Cost of In-Home Care
How much parents will pay for a nanny depends upon many factors:
- The number of children in the nanny’s care: The more children in the nanny’s care, the more parents will pay. The hours the nanny requires and whether or not the nanny works year round or just in the summers. What hours will the nanny be required? Will the nanny work year round or just in the summers? Part-time nannies are relatively less expensive.
- Will the nanny live-in or out of the home? In-home childcare costs may be reduced if the nanny lives in the home.
- Duties the nanny will perform. If parents contract the nanny to perform additional duties other than child care they will pay more. According to the Nanny Network, typical duties outside of caring children include the children’s laundry, preparing meals for the children, performing after meal clean-up, and keeping the children’s bedrooms and play areas neat and clean. Therefore, if parents expect the nanny to do the laundry for the entire household or assume carpooling responsibilities, the cost of childcare will increase.
- Experience or educational background required of the caregiver: The more experience and education the nanny has, the more families will pay.
- Transportation: If the nanny uses his or her own car, families will most likely be responsible for reimbursing the nanny for mileage.
- Health insurance benefits and bonuses: If parents offer additional benefits and bonuses in the nanny’s contract, this will increase the cost of in-home childcare. If offering sick days, holiday pay, or performance bonuses, parents must factor this into the total cost of childcare. As a side note, parent must take care to be explicit about pay rates and any other compensation offered in the childcare contract.
Geographic Location and Childcare Costs
A family’s geographic location will definitely affect the cost of in-home childcare. The cost of living of the state dictates the rate parents will pay for all types of childcare. According to the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies, the states with some of the highest childcare rates are New York, Minnesota, California, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Virginia, Wisconsin, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Washington.
The best way to find a quality nanny that matches both the parents’ specifications and budget is through an agency. The International Nanny Association is an excellent resource for finding reputable nanny agencies.
