How much should I offer a 17 year old to look after 3 children?

MJB66 - yep that's 6 of my own!! They're now aged 12,11,8,6,4 and 2. Never a dull moment round here LOL

I would let her take the oldest child out, possibly the middle one too, not sure, but certainly not all 3.

That's just me.

Agree you're asking a lot of a young girl to take out three little children including a newborn! My ds was feeding more frequently than three hourly at that point, and I wouldn't have trusted a babysitter to take him out for hours on his own, let alone with two toddlers to watch too.

Overflowing - hope you dont mind me being nosy, is thAT 6 of your own? or are you a CM?

I would have to say I agree with the others and that looking after 3 children of those ages is a HUGE responsibilty and not something I would ever contemplate entrusting to a relatively inexperienced 17 year old, no matter how lovely or trustworthy I knew her to be.Also no matter how close to home she is , she is still out and effectively in sole charge of 3 very young children.
I have 6 kids, some only 18 months apart, and have at times had little ones of those ages, and going out with all 3 of them, has been extremely chalenging, even for a relatively experienced Mum!
Also 3 hours sounds an incredibly long time for a 1 week old to be away from his/her Mum.
I can understand you must be shattered, but could you not possibly have a nap with the baby whilst she took older dc out for an hour or so ?? or else let her play at home with older dc whilst you sit and relax with the baby for a bit?

While your grounds and local area sound lovely, I don't think that a 17 year old should be given responsibility for three children of the ages you have mentioned.

She may be fine with them while all is going well, but might not have the judgement to know what to do when something goes wrong.

I'm late to post but when I was 17 I babysat a lot and would occasionally be asked to take the children out for a few hours during the day. If it was cold, the parents sometimes gave me an extra few quid and I'd take the kids out to play, then to a local cafe or similar for a hot chocolate to warm up, play again, then head home. Stretched the time out beautifully.

Oh and I got about £5 an hour and this was in west London.

I don't know... I recently visited a friend about 2 hours away and saw quite a few girls about 16-18 years of age, pushing newborns -maybe their own or nannies? Assumed their own.

I don't think you should be giving a 17 year old girl a newborn baby to look after, sorry, especially not with a 17 month old and 3 year old
can she not play with the older two at home whilst you catch up on sleep/housework/spend time with your baby?

Agree with the point about giving her unrealistic expectations re: pay, especially in the area you're in where nanny wages are often very low.

I want your house though - it sounds just fab!

I'm in Surrey and the teenagers who babysit all get £8-£10/hour around here (have spoken to several). Same as nannies or cms. We could join sitters, but I'm not keen on paying that big fee to an agency. Nor am I happy that an agency would get the money that should go to the babysitter.

We already pay a cm 8-3.30, so DH and I just never go out without DS.

I'd have thought £5 - £6 will be fine.. It may depend where you live but some people with a lot more experience won't be getting all that much more than this..

A bit chilly at the moment to play outside bbrrrr.

£10 is far too much and if you do pay this, then this girl will think thats the going rate and when going for other jobs she will be laughed at and turned down for jobs when she quotes she wants £10

your grounds sound lovely :)

I guess if your happy paying her that amount then fine, I personally think £10 is too much for 17yr old who is not qualified yet and not particually experienced?
Would she prehaps expect more once she has her qualification?
I'd have been happy with £15 for 3 hours at that age.
Mind you that was 20+ and a few more years ago!!

As a professional nanny in my 30s I get a little over £10 an hour - so sounds a lot to offer a 17 year old.
Expect she will be delighted.

Hi there, when I was 17, 18 and 19 I looked after my neighbours 4 children in a similar arrangement - we played outside, walked to the river, the shops, did stuff indoors..

I got about £6 per hour, and I also did babysitting at this rate.

Don't ask her how much she wants. She'll probably vastly under charge out of embarrassment. Naming your price is very difficult.

I would say £8 an hour.

did you mean her to take the one week old as well?

the body - I work in a nursery and I am a Forest School Leader. I also live down South and where I am it isnt too cold! I love being outside though.

Agree with Frakk. Nowhere near £10 an hour. And be flexible withoutdoor play in the cold. Whilst children might be bumdled up, she might not show up expecting hours in the cold rain/snow.

I'm with the majority with the cold!! Yes, fresh air and playing fine, we love to go to the park in the rain BUT I'd say more like 30 mins when it's that cold BRRRR

i would say £5ph - she gains exp while doing a childcare course and maybe even a ref

there is no way i would want to play 2/3hrs outside

i did 30mins last week at park and froze!!! a blue blonde is not good

im all for fresh air but maybe a play outside then crafts as goldfish said

snowflake69 you brave woman.. does this, and your name mean you actually LIKE the winter!!! good for you to be outside all that time and sure kids love it but i definatly couldnt do that... hour at most in the park and then indoor fun..

roll on summer I say...

£5-£6per hour I expect would be fine. Probably best to ask her how much she would want, then take things from there.
Would she really be caring for your 1 week old? I would have thought she would be more entertaining the older two whilst you try to get some rest.