the Price of Daycare for one Child between 1 and 12 Months

Random part time hours 3-5 days per week for 8 month old girl at care giver's home. Services included feeding, changing, interactive play with caregiver and caregiver's toddler, fresh air as weather permitted, filling out various and time-consuming paperwork for state payment plan, safe and clean play and sleeping areas, some outings mostly to grocery stores and the public library. Sitter monitored baby's intellectual growth and physical development regularly and tried to provide an environment that would encourge baby's growth in both areas. Most food and laundry was provided by the parent, but there were emergency exceptions where the child care provider filled in.

I think it was a complete deal and the baby sitter more than earned her partially state-funded wages. The irregular hours, extra attention like stories, songs, special toys and the chore of the paperwork all added to this wonderful service. The other toddler and having to provide food from home each day are an extra hassle in some ways, but the flexibility of this service provider and her willingness to accept the bottom of the line wages still made it a good experience. Occasionally, the sitter would be in the back yard watering her vegetables instead of greeting the child at the front door at the usual expected time.

I expect babysitting rates in this area will continue to climb and there will not be deals like this available. I would always ask friends or family for recommendations for sitters if you cannot find someone from school or church that you feel comfortable with.