First time using a sitter

[SouperNoodle]

So this probably sounds really stupid but tomorrow evening I have a babysitter coming to look after my DDs for a few hours while I go to a family do (grown ups only).
I've never hired a babysitter before so don't know the etiquette.
Should I buy a selection of snacks for her? Am I meant to give her dinner?
What's the done thing?

I used to do a lot of babysitting as a side hustle to earn some extra cash. No one ever offered me dinner. It’s nice to be shown where the tea and coffee is and maybe biscuits/snacks if you keep them in the house. I wouldn’t buy anything extra though. I used to take my own snacks if it was going to be a long night and a bottle of water. I never used anything of the families.

No I wouldn’t, but I’d tell her where the kettle / tea / coffee is and say she can help herself to anything in the house

Make sure you have cash to give her when you’re home and that you’ve agreed how she’s getting back - will you book her an Uber or drop her off etc

That's great advice! Thank you both.
I would've told her to help herself to anything but it wouldn't have occurred to me to show her the tea cupboard so that's one thing noted down and also I wouldn't have thought to check how she's getting home.
We live 2 mins from a train station but I'll make sure not to have a drink so I can offer her a lift.

Oh yes definitely pay her straight away. I can’t tell you how many parents I’d have to chase for days for payment as they forgot or on a couple of occasions who would claim they’d paid me when they hadn’t. And this was in a very wealthy area and 90% of the families I worked for were millionaires.

Omg that's shocking!
I've got a note to get cash out tomorrow so I don't forget. I'd never dream of hiring somebody and not paying them.

Unless she's there from before 6 no need to provide dinner but basic snacks such as biscuits, crisps or invite them to make toast plus hot drinks/squash or canned drinks is polite

Bacs is fine for payment, lift or taxi home if young

of course you can have a drink! But I’d just drop her a message in advance to ask how she’ll be getting home - will she get the train or prefer you to book her a cab / give her a lift if you haven’t had a drink etc

my sitters have done a mix, or sometimes their parents are already out so will come and get them on the way home or they’ll be driving themselves too

also I always make sure I’m out for the round number of hours and home 10 mins or so ahead of time so that you don’t have that awkward thing of wondering to pay them
for a half or whole hour!

Another great suggestion! I keep the toaster in a cupboard so I'll get it out 😂

Another question - should I give a tip on top of the agreed price?

@ShirleyPhallus she works in my daughter's preschool so don't have to worry about her parents picking her up lol tbh she probably drives but I don't know. Will check tomorrow.

I've already decided that even if I come home early, I'll still pay for the times that I've asked her to sit.

You sound very considerate OP

Thank you! ☺️