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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

Original poster

Is £8 too much or reasonable???

53 replies

vix1 · 22/06/2006 19:46

Im going to start advertising as a Babysitter in and around the Newbury, Berkshire area, would you say that £8 an hour is reasonable or too much?
Im qualified, police checked, excellent references, and drive, if that helps!

Comments appreciated

OP posts:
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bossykate · 23/06/2006 12:32

i agree with nzshar, ok if you will be feeding the children, bathing them, putting them to bed etc, but too much if you are just there on duty after they have gone to bed iyswim.

scarymamma · 23/06/2006 12:28

I had a temp job in a school doing admin for school lunches and I only got just over £4ph, so personally I don't think the same money for sitting on your backside watching telly is bad!. In most homes the kids tend to be in bed by the time the BS arrives. He/she just sits and eats your food & watches your TV. I guess you need to pay the going rate for your area. Market forces really.

nzshar · 23/06/2006 11:45

Just want to make it clear that i charge £4ph as a childminder if i charge more than that i wouldnt get business. But if i was going to offer my services as a babysitter i would prob charge nearer £7ph. Funny isnt it a babysitter dosent have to be qualified or anything yet they can charge more

Uwila · 23/06/2006 11:34

I think it is up to the babysitter to decide whether or not £4/hour is worth her time and effort. If she thinks it's beneath her she/he can always turn the job down.

I, personally, have a budget limit of £6. Normally pay £5.

thewomanwhothoughtshewasahat · 23/06/2006 09:57

also baby-sitting is optional - if the going rate is too high people won't use the service. they'll stya at home instead

grumpyfrumpy · 23/06/2006 09:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

threebob · 23/06/2006 09:31

Is your day job child related?

southeastastra · 23/06/2006 09:27

£4ph is awful !!

Pamina3 · 23/06/2006 08:49

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nzshar · 23/06/2006 08:41

It would depend on the type of babysitting. If it was while the child was awake and needed entertaining or feeding etc then £8 is reasonable, if it was just to watch over them while they slept i would say nearer £6-6.50. My child is worth every penny i would pay. Having said that i am required to entertain and socially educate a 3 and a half year old as a childminder and only get £4ph!!!!

Twiglett · 23/06/2006 08:41

you're

Twiglett · 23/06/2006 08:40

its a babysitter .. they sit in your house eating your food and drinking your coffee, watching your tv whilst the children sleep .. your damn right I would

southeastastra · 23/06/2006 08:31

qualified, police checked, references, driver, you would pay the plumber or gardener more than the person looking after your child?

Twiglett · 23/06/2006 08:27

far too much .. in London wouldn't pay more than £5 an hour .. hth

southeastastra · 23/06/2006 08:26

£8 seems fine to me - you are looking after someone's child !!

it annoys me that childminders/babysitters are so badly paid, it is an important job. You get what you pay for. people are quick to moan when they get bad staff but aren't willing to pay for them.

grumpyfrumpy · 23/06/2006 08:12

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Uwila · 23/06/2006 08:10

I think it's too high. At least it is more than I would pay. But, there's no harm in advertising this rate, and if you get customers, then great. If you don't, then you can lower the offering until you find the amount that people are willing to pay.

Original poster
vix1 · 22/06/2006 21:17

I know, I really dont know how people afford to do it!! But that is why im pricing quite high, people who can afford that wont worry too much, prob. cheep for them!!

OP posts:
LucyJones · 22/06/2006 21:02

In the South East a nanny I know charges £6 an hour. That is why we don't use babysitters - it costs more to pay them than to actaully go out!!

Original poster
vix1 · 22/06/2006 21:00

I thought it was a bit much, but other Nannies are saying that is what they would charge. I think I may advertise at that rate, and see what happens, I will let u all know if you need to up your prices or if i need to lower mine!
I cant afford to go much lower cuz the reason I am doing it is to save up for a deposit on a house!
Thanks for advice though

OP posts:
thewomanwhothoughtshewasahat · 22/06/2006 20:59

too much. I pay £6 an hour in sw london

essbee · 22/06/2006 20:56

Message withdrawn

bluebear · 22/06/2006 20:53

sitters website says £5.85 per hour for 4 hours min, plus £4 booking fee (so about 6.85 per hour for 4 hours).

Original poster
vix1 · 22/06/2006 20:26

I have a full time job, so only doing evenings and weekends really

OP posts:
mosschops30 · 22/06/2006 20:25

Message withdrawn