How can my 14 year old DD get local babysitting?

[SuperGinger]

She is very responsible and conscientious nd I would trust her more than many adults, however I know nobody with young children She doesn't go to school locally, how do I find her some babysitting jobs locally. We live in London.

Also what is the going rate, I remember paying the girls next door about £10 per hour

Ask families with young children on your road?

I don't think many people would let a 14 year old babysit these days!

Perhaps advertise locally if anyone is seeking a ‘mother’s help’? I have to say I wouldn’t leave DS with a 14 year old while I went out, but there are times it would be handy to have someone else in the house to play with / entertain him while I got other things done (but was still present as responsible adult) particularly adhoc when DH is away for work.

I don’t think many people would want an unknown 14 year old baby sitting. And what about her safety.. are you really comfortable with her going off to random people’s houses alone?

In terms of pay
'Young workers aged 16 to 17 are entitled to at least £7.55 per hour.'
There is no minimum wage for 14yrs olds so I'd guess its less than than £10 per hour you were paying.
Maybe ask on nextdoor.com in your area.

Unless they are people you know I can’t see anyone hiring an unknown 14 yo to babysit , it’s irrelevant that you think she’s more sensible than an adult as you know her .

I'll be honest, I wouldn't let a 14 year old babysit especially if I didn't know them.

Sorry I wouldn’t hire a 14 year old babysitter unless I knew them pretty well, and if you don’t know any families with young children then presumably she hasn’t got much or any experience with them either?

I remember babysitting at that age, I was a very sensible and responsible teen, I still hadn’t a clue what I was doing with young kids!

Does she do any hobbies that go down to much younger age groups such as Guides or gymnastics, as there are often opportunities to be a “helper” with the younger ones and that then leads to experience and requests for babysitting?

I think she will struggle because I don't know any parents who would be happy for an unknown 14 year old to look after their children.

I babysat at 14 so did many of my friends and it seemed normal but would I let a 14 year old babysit my kids. Absolutely not.

My DD is 14 and conscientious but I wouldn't leave her with her siblings let alone someone else's child. I'd be really wary that anyone who would also wouldn't be safe for my DD as they're likely to have a very different approach to risks than me. I think these days people are more risk averse.

Word of mouth, I pay my 17 year old niece £10 an hour but there’s no way I’m paying a 14year old £10 an hour as I wouldn’t as them to do the same sort of things.

I got a brilliant babysitter by advertising on Nextdoor.com. It’s good as it should literally be people a few streets away. I lived in a very low crime “plu” area but perhaps if you vet the families with her? She could post an advert as well but I’m just conscious of the potential risks for a 14 yo…

I wouldn’t pay a 14 year old I didn’t know (and the children didn’t know) to babysit.

I would trust her more than many adults

I don’t think anyone else would through.

Would you really let her go to a strangers house anyway?

I wouldnt leave any 14 year old child in charge of young children. Dont care how mature you say they are.

My dc were asked by parents of the youngsters they looked after in a voluntary capacity at the sport they were involved in.
Also by the parents of the cubs they volunteered at, as Young Leaders.
Also by people from Church who had watched them grow up themselves and who had seen them looking after little ones at Church.

So all people who had seen them looking after little ones on a voluntary basis. After that, it was recommendations from people they sat for.

We have a couple of FB groups in our town and I see plenty of young people create little flyers they post on the group for babysitting or gardening/odd jobs over the holidays.
I have used a couple of students for babysitting.
You could also send a message if you have a WhatsApp group on your road.

I don't see how it's going to work, OP. Teenage babysitters I've used were neighbours and a cousin, and my DC knew them. Also the babysitters' mothers were on standby as immediate back-up.

I think if you haven't met the children's families organically, it's not going to be possible. The babysitter's doing the family a favour, and getting a bit of pocket money in return. It's a pretty informal relationship but the trust involved is huge.

We are based in London and local teenagers have been so helpful. We have a 14 year old and 15 year old recommended via local WhatsApp community groups. This was for my kids aged 9 and 11 onwards. We didn't know them. So I invited them for lunch and got to know them. I messaged their parents to confirm pay of £10 per hour and hours. It's been so helpful as I work full time. My kids have loved having a cooler teenager to hang out with and because of this they end up behaving really well so they come back!

No offence Op but I wouldn't entertain the idea of a 14 year old having sole responsibility for my child. Perhaps others feel differently however.

Actually I would be on stanby and would go with her the first few times. I used some professional babysitting services that were okay but all the teenagers I used were better, more engaged super chuffed to earn money. I think teenage babysitters are important, it's great to have a role model to look up to when you are little.

Do you both have a DBS?