Karen & co. Posted June 11, 2008 Share Posted June 11, 2008 I thought I would ask for advise on how much you pay a baby sitter? My eldest is just starting off at this and is baby sitting for a friend tomorrow night, she rang earlier and asked how much she should pay I haven't a clue and just wondered what seemed reasonable, as any income will be welcome for my eldest, yet it's hard to ask for money for what is really usually a pleasant job I just wondered what the average going rate is? Thank you!! Karen x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bexiboo Posted June 11, 2008 Share Posted June 11, 2008 I have heard of rates of 4/5 pounds an hour, slightly more after midnight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted June 11, 2008 Share Posted June 11, 2008 the girl I work with who's 18 charges £20 for the evening.. £15 if it's a very quick evening Funny because we were talking about this today! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted June 11, 2008 Share Posted June 11, 2008 My daughter used to charge that 7 or 8 years ago. She had a few regular clients who were more than happy to pay for a reliable baby sitter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted June 11, 2008 Share Posted June 11, 2008 It varies. I had a girl (friend of mines daughter) over this evening to babysit. She baby sat for me (or rather my children) when I was visiting Nia in NICU and she always charged a very reasonable £3.50. Tonight she didnt want to take anything! My other sitter at that time charged £3. I know a lot of people charge more but as she said she bring her work with her, sits and watched tv and eats and drinks here. The children rarely wake up. If it was childcare during the day it would be another matter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen & co. Posted June 12, 2008 Author Share Posted June 12, 2008 Thanks for the suggestions I'm tending towards asking her to pay £3 as Bron says it's highly likely to be a pleasant way to spend the evening plus I don't want him to get paid too much or he might start to charge more for cutting all our lawn Karen x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 Glad you posted this as we are asking the same question - eldest wants to offer his servces as a babysitter. I must admit I never used to know how much to offer on the odd occasion we needed a sitter ourselves. It was usually between £5 & £10, but we offered as the girl we used would never ask for anything! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 The girl I work with is cheap in comp[arison to some adverts I ahve seen locally in shop windows though.... I used to get paid £10 for the evening when I was errrm about 15/16 and that was about 20 years ago.. I wouldn't dream of expecting someone to get that now, if it's easy it's easy and you get on with college work etc, but sometimes it isn't easy. I still see the boy I babysat for and he towers about me now.. quite funny when I saw him again and saw how mig he was.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phonix Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 With what some of you lot are paying maybe I should take up babysitting again! I used to do it for nothing a few years ago! Sounds like it pays better than my part-time job at the mo lol (don;t ask my manager told me i could have extra hours over summer but has now cut me to 5hrs/wk so ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 I used to get 2 shillings an hour - but that was erm......... many, many years ago It's an expensive business these days isn't it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 My babysitter charges £20 a session - however long that is. She's the same age as me and has sat for us for 13 years now! It seems to have worked quite well. I would pay less probasbly for someone younger but people have charged £5 an hour, which comes pretty close to £20 sometimes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tina C Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 On the few occasions we have paid a babysitter we have paid £20 for the evening but I have no idea whether that is good or bad. It was Layla's cousin so we kept it 'in the family'. It can be easy but its still a big responsibility and the payment should reflect that. I used to get £2 for an evening with three very boisterous girls.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 It can be easy but its still a big responsibility and the payment should reflect that. I agree totally. It amazes me that sometimes people seem happier to pay more per hour to have their houses cleaned than they are to have their children adequately looked after. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen & co. Posted June 12, 2008 Author Share Posted June 12, 2008 It can be easy but its still a big responsibility and the payment should reflect that. I agree totally. It amazes me that sometimes people seem happier to pay more per hour to have their houses cleaned than they are to have their children adequately looked after. I agree with the comments about paying more for a cleaner than child care My son has done a basic First Aid course, and knows parrot fashion what to do if there is a problem. I was supposed to be going out tonight but am staying in so that I'm around if he needs to ask anything Karen x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 I was supposed to be going out tonight but am staying in so that I'm around if he needs to ask anything I've done that a time or two! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..lay a little egg for me Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 I have heard of rates of 4/5 pounds an hour, slightly more after midnight.That's what we pay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LisaP Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 This was interesting because my next door neighbour just asked this morning if my daughter would be interested in babysitting her 2 children Didn't have a clue about payment when she asked, but do now Lisa P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbaraJ Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 It can be easy but its still a big responsibility and the payment should reflect that. I agree totally. It amazes me that sometimes people seem happier to pay more per hour to have their houses cleaned than they are to have their children adequately looked after. lol as a childminder don't i know that!!! my girls get £20 a night, or 25-30 if very late like 1-1.30! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crooked Chicken Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 £5 an hour for me. Oh to have my mum live round the corner, in fact any relatives living nearby would be great, but sadly not. It can make an evening out very expensive, once you've paid for a meal and possibly a cinema or theatre trip. We don't go out very often these days - saddos !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 I cant remember the last time hubby and me went out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 I cant remember the last time hubby and me went out I can (for me that is) It was last May for our wedding anniversary. The only times I've ever used a babysitter was when Nia was on NICU and last night when hubby is away and it was the playgroup AGM and I'm treasurer so I thought I should show up. I just can't afford to pay one to go out as someone sais as the costs just mount up. Can't afford a cleaner either though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 I have Lauren and Jake to stay tonight hmmmmmm 6.30pm - 8.00am.........£5 an hour......more after midnight......... Perhaps I should start charging? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoid Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 I have Lauren and Jake to stay tonight hmmmmmm 6.30pm - 8.00am.........£5 an hour......more after midnight......... Perhaps I should start charging? You would be rich! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 - I would be if I'd charged for all the caring - 2 days a week since they were both 4 months old......that would add up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lizinsa Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 For those who don't have family around and feel that babysitters make a night out too expensive, why not share the responsibility with friends instead? If you agree to do it for one another you'll get free care and fingers crossed a responsible adult with experience to look after your little ones (I'm not saying that babysitters don't do a good job!) My Mum did this when we were little and we loved it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
