Babysitter (first time) - etiquette?

[NewYorkerStateofMind]

Hi all,

We have a babysitter coming tomorrow for the first time ever (toddler is 2). Very exciting to finally be going out to a restaurant with DH but that's another story! Please could anyone advise what the etiquette is with babysitters on a few things?:

• should we tip? She charges £12ph if that's relevant (London)
• should we provide snacks? As a teenager I used to babysit and be left chocolates, crisps and Cola, but this is a grown woman who's a professional TA during the day, so not sure if she'll appreciate me leaving her a bottle of pop!?!
• anything else we should be aware of or be prepared for regarding having a babysitter??

Thanks

Tip - no
Snacks - not needed, but you should leave tea / coffee, and I think most people would probably leave the biscuit tin

You would need to leave any emergency contacts - preferably both of you
Any information about your child's medical needs but also 'likes / preferences.

Has she met your dc before?
Have you had any time together before ?

No tip, but you round up to nearest hour, so if you’re out 2.5 hours round to 3. Not necessary but that’s usually what happens when I babysit.

tea etc yes and I always get left a pizza or know I can make myself some toast. WiFi password and tv pin.

text when you’re on your way home a rough eta.

Great, helpful thank you!

Aaahhh I used to love babysitting when I was a teen. Made a bloody fortune too

Agree no tip, leave tea coffee and bits to make a light snack.

Then have a great night!

I would give a tip if, say the child had been sick everywhere or some other unusual circumstances.
Otherwise what everyone else said.

Not for this time but make sure the house is warm or they can turn the heating on / up. Memories of freezing in one house in on NYE!!

Oh what do you mean by able to make themselves a light snack?

Biscuit tin, toast, tea and coffee. Perhaps a tin of soup or a microwave meal in case they haven't had time to eat- something that won't be wasted if they don't use it. If you say help yourself it's better to be clear (eg if you fancy a salad) otherwise they might feel unsure what it's ok to have.

Best time I had was when I was left a whole tray of snacks and a bottle of wine. I'd get some nice treats (posh crisps rather than Walkers etc) and make sure she knows where tea, coffee etc live.

I don't think its necessary to leave anything to make a meal/snack. Tea & coffee & the biscuits tin is enough. A list of emergency numbers on the fridge or wherever.

As per PP, WiFi passcode, any tv pin and instructions for tv if complex.
A quick show round of loo she can use, where tea coffee etc are, and a list of emergency numbers somewhere visible.
No tip needed, but a few posh biscuits are always appreciated.

I babysit for an agency. Very few people leave snacks. Occasionally there are biscuits and I always make myself tea or coffee. I thinks snacks are more often left when a friend is sitting for you.
Its lovely when people give you a bit extra but its really not necessary especially if its been an easy sit.

You really don’t need to leave food for them to makes themselves a meal - that is way over the top.

If they’ve missed a meal and are genuinely starving (highly unlikely), they can call for a takeaway.

Tea, coffee, water, biscuits, snacks. Round up the to the hour to pay, wifi password and warm house.

But the takeaway would cost as much as she's earning!

So she doesn’t have to order it, then!

Doesn’t negate the point that leaving out food to make a meal is over the top, and not something people (need to) do.

If you are going past midnight - pay her more. Plus always round up to the next hr cash.
plus a taxi home (you pay) or petrol money on top.
if she is nice you want to pay her well so she favours you over another random couple 👍
plus if she’s worked all day she will be tired and cold so a blanket on the sofa that she can use whilst she watches tv.
enjoy!

No tip, supply tea and coffee and round time up to the quarter hour.

Hardly. This sitter is charging £12 ph.
If it is a 2 hour sit, she probably doesn't need a meal. If it is longer, her choice.

tbh, even as teen, on about £5 an hour, my dc never expected feeding, not for an evening 'sit'. If looking after dc in the day and getting them their meal(s) then that is the only time food would be expected, and then a portion of what the dc are having.

Hi OP

Toast or a sandwich. My people used to leave bits out and let me know there were things in the fridge too

How long are you planning to be out for? I'd round up the hourly rate. E.g. if you're out for 3 hours, £12 x 3 = £36, I'd probably round up to £40.

I'd make sure there was tea, coffee, milk and some cold soft drinks. Probably fill up the biscuit tin and put a pizza in the fridge and let them know to help themselves if they get hungry.

Leave the WiFi password and any TV stuff they might want. Maybe a blanket on the back of the sofa if it gets cold in the evenings in your house.