How much should a 15 year old ask for, for babysitting?

Kittlewittle · 2025-11-06T07:23:03+00:00

My 15 year old daughter is keen to babysit. It would be for neighbours, and one of her parents would be on hand if needed. How much would be a reasonable rate to ask for, for watching generally sleeping children? In case it matters we are in central London.

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BigFatBully · 12/11/2025 23:05

Around £14, higher if older and better qualified. I really do think 15 is too young though.

Blondeshavemorefun · 12/11/2025 18:51

Pryceosh1987 · 12/11/2025 01:44

I assume a little bit higher than the minimum wage for children, by the hour. £12 perhaps. Its hard to say, it depends on many factors.

£12ph ? Thats nmw for adults

MumChp · 12/11/2025 05:07

The UK's National Minimum Wage for 16 to 17-year-olds is £7.55 per hour.

I would offer £8 and it's normal around here for 15 yo babysitter.

strongermummy · 12/11/2025 04:02

£12 - 20 ph here with first aid.

but perhaps start at £10 and go up when she has more experience or has a client list to manage.

KitchenDancing · 12/11/2025 03:42

My friends daughter charges £15 an hour.

Pryceosh1987 · 12/11/2025 01:44

I assume a little bit higher than the minimum wage for children, by the hour. £12 perhaps. Its hard to say, it depends on many factors.

Nevernonono · 12/11/2025 01:32

I’m with the “set amount per night” idea, or £30.

Arlanymor · 12/11/2025 01:28

I'm sure that some people will get the vapours, but I babysat in our village from 14 years of age (this was 30 years ago), no one died or got sucked into a paranormal vortex - I charged £15 a night back then (usually 7pm-11pm). So would say that £10 an hour would be fair enough these days. This was in West Sussex if location matters.

caringcarer · 12/11/2025 01:06

It depends where in the country you live. I'm in Midlands and and over 17 with First Aid charges me £8ph. Kid in bed before they arrive so she does her homework and her Mum would come in an emergency as only lives 5 doors away. I'd pay more if she was giving kid a meal or supervising getting them to bed. I'm paying her £10 ph on NY Eve. That is what she charges. I do give her a voucher at Xmas too.

Blondeshavemorefun · 11/11/2025 23:53

Kittlewittle · 06/11/2025 18:12

Thank you everyone. She was thinking of starting off charging £5 an hour which was clearly too little. It seems £8-10 is more of the consensus here.

She has done first aid training and has experience, is sensible etc.

Where I think £5 is right for her age and exp

sure she will be snapped up

Original poster

Kittlewittle · 11/11/2025 23:40

Blondeshavemorefun · 11/11/2025 16:43

£10 seem far too much to me considering nmw is £12 ish for an adult and I know some qualified Nannie’s but 18 charging £10

first aid is a bonus

Edited

In London nannies want £18+ to babysit. It's probably why parents don't usually go out much!

My daughter has agreed she will set her rates lower in order to get a customer based initially. She is excited to start, with bookings already.

OP posts:

Blondeshavemorefun · 11/11/2025 16:43

£10 seem far too much to me considering nmw is £12 ish for an adult and I know some qualified Nannie’s but 18 charging £10

first aid is a bonus

Original poster

Kittlewittle · 06/11/2025 18:12

Thank you everyone. She was thinking of starting off charging £5 an hour which was clearly too little. It seems £8-10 is more of the consensus here.

She has done first aid training and has experience, is sensible etc.

OP posts:

Mikart · 06/11/2025 16:11

We paid a 15 year old £5 an hour 25 years ago.

KindleKlub · 06/11/2025 13:45

JadeSquid · 06/11/2025 08:55

I know lots of adults too. Don't like most of them enough to call them friends. I won't pretend that my teens are as sensible as them though because they just aren't. They are children and the others are adults.

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I didn't call them friends, I called them 'adults I know'.

Nothing magical happens to people when they turn 18. They don't become more sensible, calm or attuned to small children's needs and they definitely don't necessarily respond better in an emergency.

15 year olds can be mature, calm, responsible, selfless and kind enough to make a better job of it than some adults.

SJone0101 · 06/11/2025 09:03

£10 an hour is fine. We are on our third teenager since 2019 and we have paid them all £10ph. They pay no tax on it, they all live at home, so £50 for 5 hours work when the children will be asleep for 3/5 hours if fine IMO.

JadeSquid · 06/11/2025 08:55

KindleKlub · 06/11/2025 08:53

False logic.

I know a lot of adults. I'm not necessarily friends with those people, nor do they have contact with my dc.

I have zero concerns with my 15 year old being able to look after children for discrete periods of time and being able to keep herself and the dc safe and happy for that period and to appropriately summon assistance as required.

I have met many older than her who would pay less attention to the needs and wants of small dc and be more involved in their own phones or affairs for eg. I don't think I would be alone in this.

As I said, it is not solely about age.

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I know lots of adults too. Don't like most of them enough to call them friends. I won't pretend that my teens are as sensible as them though because they just aren't. They are children and the others are adults.

Peonies12 · 06/11/2025 08:53

I'd say £10 an hour. 15 years is perfectly fine to babysit, I was babysitting age 13. Good she is wanting some responsibility, too many teens are so lazy and don't work.

KindleKlub · 06/11/2025 08:53

JadeSquid · 06/11/2025 08:43

If your 15 year old is really more sensible and thoughtful than a lot of adults you know, you likely need to meet new, better, adult friends. See to me, this says that you are in an environment with adults who are struggling to adult, so to me, the 15 year old around said adults must also be on the same trajectory and therefore actually behind their peers. It isn't as if the teen is going to become less sensible and thoughtful as they age.

Show quote history

False logic.

I know a lot of adults. I'm not necessarily friends with those people, nor do they have contact with my dc.

I have zero concerns with my 15 year old being able to look after children for discrete periods of time and being able to keep herself and the dc safe and happy for that period and to appropriately summon assistance as required.

I have met many older than her who would pay less attention to the needs and wants of small dc and be more involved in their own phones or affairs for eg. I don't think I would be alone in this.

As I said, it is not solely about age.

midlifemumma · 06/11/2025 08:50

We have a very responsible (now 16yr old) neighbour who is well known to our young children, when she babysits I give her £30 based on 3-4hrs of babysitting so hourly rate is dependent on what time we arrive home during that time frame.

JadeSquid · 06/11/2025 08:43

KindleKlub · 06/11/2025 08:39

My 15 year old has babysat loads. She's more sensible and thoughtful than a lot of adults I know. She's really energetic and puts far more effort into entertaining and interacting with the dc than I could be bothered with!

I think it very much depends on the individuals

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If your 15 year old is really more sensible and thoughtful than a lot of adults you know, you likely need to meet new, better, adult friends. See to me, this says that you are in an environment with adults who are struggling to adult, so to me, the 15 year old around said adults must also be on the same trajectory and therefore actually behind their peers. It isn't as if the teen is going to become less sensible and thoughtful as they age.

rubyslippers · 06/11/2025 08:41

My DD started babysitting at 15
she’s incredibly sensible - she charges £6.50-£7.50 per hour

KindleKlub · 06/11/2025 08:39

elliejjtiny · 06/11/2025 08:34

I think 15 is too young IMO

My 15 year old has babysat loads. She's more sensible and thoughtful than a lot of adults I know. She's really energetic and puts far more effort into entertaining and interacting with the dc than I could be bothered with!

I think it very much depends on the individuals

KindleKlub · 06/11/2025 08:37

Kittlewittle · 06/11/2025 08:30

There isn't one for under 16s!

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There is an under 18 rate though

PastaAllaNorma · 06/11/2025 08:37

15 is fine, most of DC and their friends were babysitting at 15. £10-£12 an hour is about standard depending on how much actual looking after is needed. Obviously giving them dinner and doing bedtime is more work than doing homework while the children are asleep.