babysitting rates?

[larussel03]

Since I don't have a job currently, I'm going to start helping a young mother out because she had to unexpectedly fire her live in nanny, while she looks for a new one. (I responded to her ad on craigslist and told her I won't be a long term solution, but I could help her while she looks for someone). She asked me about what sort of rate I'd want -- I have NO idea what babysitters charge, it's really only 1 2 year old girl, sometimes all 3 kids for like date nights but usually just the one. I have never really baby sat before (I told her that, she was fine with it -- she said she just needs someone responsible) so I don't know what to ask for. Obviously I know it's not alot but I have no idea how much, and I don't want to ask for too much or too little...

What do you think I should ask for?

 

[mrssalvo]

I guess it would depend on what city you live in. I pay my sitter''s $10 an hour and normally provide them with whatever food they want when they are here..i.e order pizza for dinner, snacks etc..

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Well, I would say since you're a grown adult, $8-10++ depending upon how many hrs. per week. If you're going to take the little girl out to parks and activities, I would factor in travel costs, too. Two year olds need constant attention and I wouldn't want to keep an eye on another person's kid for much less $15 per hour (not even $20)! lol But, you said this job is temporary, so it makes sense to charge a bit less. . . but, really, it's nearly impossible to live on that little these days so be sure it's worth the time.

 

[Erin]

I'd say $11/hr but $15 for the times it's all three.

Once as a senior in HS I babysat for the football coaches three children (one a baby). When I got there the Asst Coach had dropped off his three kids and the Defensive coordinator dropped off his two.

Granted they all played together well except for when one of the girls felt left out and ran away (half a block down the street) but nonetheless hectic watching 7 kids and a baby. For the time it took for a football game OUT OF TOWN!?!?!? $20 and a $5 tip

I don't know if the guy just thought he was paying for his kids and the other two stiffed me or what but that was sooooo not worth it!!!

 

[ephemery1]

Sweetpea, I am actually in a similar situation... helping out a family in the building next door with their 2 year old daughter. The parents pay me $12/hr (rounding up to the next hour) to entertain her for about 10 hours a week (we go to the park, bookstore, on walks, etc), while they work in their home office. My "real" job can be stressful, so I actually find babysitting to be calming. Not overly lucrative, but the money is still a nice little supplement... makes it easier to justify my shopping habits.

We are in center city Philly, and I think my rate is pretty typical for watching 1 child here...

ETA -- On nights you're watching all 3 children, I'd ask for at least $15. I used to babysit regularly for a family with 4 kids, and that was what they paid me... but that was about 6-8 years ago.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

I used to make $10 when I was in high school (10 years ago). I am thinking $10-$15 would be fair. I used to LOVE babysitting!

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Date: 9/26/2007 3:48:27 PM
Author: Tacori E-ring
I used to make $10 when I was in high school (10 years ago). I am thinking $10-$15 would be fair. I used to LOVE babysitting!

Babysitting is nice because you know at the end of the day, you can go home to a quiet house! lol

 

[wifey2b]

Ok, I am like

at the prices you folks pay for sitters. I babysit and get $5 an hour here in Canada, and when I babysit for my boss - he has 13 children but usually babysit at least 9 -12 of them, and I get $8 and hour - but last time they did pay me $10 an hour. Then again for here - minimum wage is $7.60.

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

13 children? GOOD GRACIOUS! Every time I see that show about the Duggars (family with 16+) kids I cringe. I couldn't imagine haveing that many kids (*crosses legs*).

I used to base my rates on whatever the family felt comfortable paying or could afford. I had well-to-do families that paid me $15/hour (in 1996-1996) and others who paid me $2. Anything was better than nothing and I never felt comfortable determining a rate or telling them how much I wanted.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Date: 9/26/2007 3:52:27 PM
Author: MC

Date: 9/26/2007 3:48:27 PM

Author: Tacori E-ring

I used to make $10 when I was in high school (10 years ago). I am thinking $10-$15 would be fair. I used to LOVE babysitting!

Babysitting is nice because you know at the end of the day, you can go home to a quiet house! lol

That is true! It was always easy money for me and I babysat for really sweet kids (plus they went to bed so early. Always a bonus). And CASH jobs are always a perk. Guess I only have a month to enjoy a quiet house

wifey I think min. wage here is under $6. I would be wrong though.

 

[isaku5]

Date: 9/26/2007 4:14:02 PM
Author: wifey2b
Ok, I am like

at the prices you folks pay for sitters. I babysit and get $5 an hour here in Canada, and when I babysit for my boss - he has 13 children but usually babysit at least 9 -12 of them, and I get $8 and hour - but last time they did pay me $10 an hour. Then again for here - minimum wage is $7.60.

Like wifey2b, I am astounded at the prices you pay for babysitting.

Our granddaughter was told at the babysitting course she took that she should charge $5/hr. for one child and $7.50 if there were two. She''s been really happy so far in that the parents she "sits" for have paid more.

I remember babysitting when the going rate was $1......oh I know, bread cost 25 cents too lol

 

[Kaleigh]

Most people I know pay $10. My daughter doesn''t babysit much anymore as she is in college, but on breaks she charges between $10- $15. Depending on how many kids, if she has to drive them around, etc....

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

Minimum wage here is $8.00/hr, but I pay $10.00/hr to my sitter. She is in University and still says "yes" anytime I call--and drives herself here. I figure she needs the extra for gas $$.

cheers--Sharon

 

[snlee]

I think it depends on what your minimum wage is for your area. In CA, it''s $8, but varies for different cities. I think $11-$15 is reasonable. However, the cost of living is so high here; I can''t see anyone living off of $11/hour. But since it''s temporary while you job search, I think it''s a great way to make some money.

 

[KimberlyH]

I am older (30) and babysit for a family every once in a while. I make $10 for one kid and $15 if I have both boys. She pays me a bit more than she would a teenager because of my age and what her younger son, who is autistic gets from me what he wouldn''t from a typical babysitter (sensory, interaction, activities, etc.). Plus I can drive myself! (An aside: the first time I sat for her she forgot my age and asked if I wanted her husband to pick me up...too funny considering I''ve been driving for more years than her kiddos have been alive).

 

[diamondfan]

I would say 15.00 per hour, that is what I pay and I know people that were paying 20.00 per hour for three young kids!

 

[diamondfan]

Hey Ephemery, can you baby sit for my kids?!

 

[ephemery1]

Date: 9/26/2007 6:34:49 PM
Author: diamondfan
Hey Ephemery, can you baby sit for my kids?!

Anytime, DF!

I really do love it... especially now that I'm older, and so many of the kids I babysat over the years will call or email every once in a while to keep me updated now that they're all "grown up"... being part of their lives is something I cherish so much.

I'm actually thinking of doing my PhD in child development because I have had so much fun watching "my kids" grow and change over the years... although one girl I started babysitting as an infant is on the homecoming court at her high school this year... makes me feel a bit too old!!

But watching this sweet little girl next door is giving me AWFUL baby fever... poor DH isn't sure which is worse... me constantly telling stories about how wonderful she is, or constantly begging for my own!!

 

[musey]

I babysit 2-3 times a month, but only for one specific couple that FI and I are friends with. They give me $10/hour, but up until this thread I had no idea if it was normal. With traffic in LA, considering they usually need me around quittin' time (aka rush hour) it takes me a good hour to get there and back... three hours there turns into five total, so $30 is below minimum wage ($7.50 here) if you count the entire time commitment.

Needless to say, I don't babysit to make money, only because I adore this specific kid!

 

[canuk-gal]

Date: 9/26/2007 6:15:44 PM
Author: canuk-gal
HI:

Minimum wage here is $8.00/hr, but I pay $10.00/hr to my sitter. She is in University and still says ''yes'' anytime I call--and drives herself here. I figure she needs the extra for gas $$.

cheers--Sharon

HI:

Oh and she gets my gently used designer bags....some no longer worn diamond charms....

cheers--Sharon

 

[iheartscience]

Date: 9/26/2007 10:08:45 PM
Author: canuk-gal

Date: 9/26/2007 6:15:44 PM

Author: canuk-gal

HI:
Minimum wage here is $8.00/hr, but I pay $10.00/hr to my sitter. She is in University and still says ''yes'' anytime I call--and drives herself here. I figure she needs the extra for gas $$.

cheers--Sharon

HI:

Oh and she gets my gently used designer bags....some no longer worn diamond charms....

cheers--Sharon

I''d say yes everytime too, Sharon!

I tell you what-I''ll babysit for free as long as you throw in a bag or charm or two!

 

[iheartscience]

Date: 9/26/2007 2:26:29 PM
Author:*~Sweetpea~*
Since I don''t have a job currently, I''m going to start helping a young mother out because she had to unexpectedly fire her live in nanny, while she looks for a new one. (I responded to her ad on craigslist and told her I won''t be a long term solution, but I could help her while she looks for someone). She asked me about what sort of rate I''d want -- I have NO idea what babysitters charge, it''s really only 1 2 year old girl, sometimes all 3 kids for like date nights but usually just the one. I have never really baby sat before (I told her that, she was fine with it -- she said she just needs someone responsible) so I don''t know what to ask for. Obviously I know it''s not alot but I have no idea how much, and I don''t want to ask for too much or too little...

What do you think I should ask for?

My friend nannies every summer and she charges $10-11/hour. I think it depends where you live, though-we''re in a mediumish city so that''s pretty good pay for a college kid. If it was a larger city I would charge more than that for sure, especially for the three kids. Probably $15? Of course I''d start on the high end so you can negotiate, if necessary.

 

[DivaDiamond007]

When I was in college I baby sat for a friend of my family and they paid me $10.00 per hour, rounded up to the next hour. At the time minimum wage was $5.15. It was only a few hours per day but it was worth it. I didn''t have a "real" job at the time so it gave me a little bit of financial freedom. At the time it seemed like a lot considering it was just one kid, but the family was well off and I''m sure they could afford it.

Jess

 

[larussel03]

wow, I didn''t expect all the replies!!! Thank you all!!!

I''ve been babysitting alot the past few days so I haven''t been around to check in -- the babysitting is going well, despite the fact that I don''t have any childcare experience. I thought it''d make me want children, but honestly, it just reaffirms that I''m soooo not in a place now, or anytime soon, to want children. I like them while I''m there, but am so happy to leave ''em when I go haha. They are really good kids, so I''m lucky, but I didn''t realize how much constant attention they''d demand of me (the 2 year old, obviously, but also the 5 year old). It''s really interesting.

 

[KimberlyH]

Date: 9/30/2007 4:48:26 PM
Author: *~Sweetpea~*
wow, I didn''t expect all the replies!!! Thank you all!!!

I''ve been babysitting alot the past few days so I haven''t been around to check in -- the babysitting is going well, despite the fact that I don''t have any childcare experience. I thought it''d make me want children, but honestly, it just reaffirms that I''m soooo not in a place now, or anytime soon, to want children. I like them while I''m there, but am so happy to leave ''em when I go haha. They are really good kids, so I''m lucky, but I didn''t realize how much constant attention they''d demand of me (the 2 year old, obviously, but also the 5 year old). It''s really interesting.

I am a substitute teacher while earnning my credential and I babysit on the side a few days a week, you have no idea how much I look forward to coming home to a house with only my hubby in it at the end of the day, oh wait you do now, cuz you''re babysitting! Kids are TOUGH! But they are also so very wonderful. Sometimes I think I learn 10 times more from them than they do me.

 

[asscherisme]

My husband and I rarely go out but when we do, we have an adult in the neighborhood we trust and she charges us $15 an hour which I think is a great deal for my 4 kids. I also tip her on top of that.

 

[matildawong]

I left my journalism job in June and started nannying part-time for a 10-month old. I pick her up at her grandma''s at 1 p.m. and take her to her house and we play/learn/etc. until 6 p.m. I make $12.50/hour. I love it and I still freelance and do another p/t admin job from home.

Hee. Ephemery1, I have the same baby envy thing going on. My poor BF hears about either my little charge or my baby lust often.