Charge more for children who don’t go to bed?

[Alwaysforgetthecrackers]

I do babysitting/childcare over the summer in a busy, tourist area.
The majority of the time I’ve always had 1-2 children and when I arrive, they’re in bed sleeping and stay asleep for the evening, parents give me the remote, kindly say I can help myself to food and all is great.
I recently sat for someone who had three very active boys, they were still up when I arrived, wanted constant snacks mum asked me to make and tidy things away. They all had different bedtimes, mum wanted me to play games with them, put them to bed etc, little one fought with me on this and eldests bedtime was literally just before they returned home, so I spent the rest of the evening getting him snacks, tidying after him, playing games.
I’m ok doing this…it did make me wonder though, should this be the same charges as basically sitting with the child already in bed?
Also, nice as this mum was, she initially queried the price being a bit expensive, whereas all
others have been very appreciative

I think it's reasonable to charge a different price if you are expected to play with the kids, do bedtime etc. It's more work, so I don't see why you wouldn't. There's always going to be an expectation that kids might wake up and need attention etc, but there's a big difference in expectation.

I guess it's just up to you to decide and discuss beforehand. Personally I think £15 is reasonable for actively looking after kids (for comparison our carers are paid £13 per hour for similar). I think £15 is a lot of the kids are in bed but if people are happy to pay it then good for you!

Depends on timing and ages surely. I wouldn't expect children in bed unless I started after 8pm

@GodspeedJune Many often charge more in the area we’re in and are v young and unqualified, I have 30 years childcare experience, am a teacher, first aid etc etc

This!

My suggestion is you up your prices or charge £15 for one plus £2.50 per extra child. You could also charge extra if you have to prepare a meal

To be honest it sounds like what you did for these kids was babysitting and what you usually do is just sit in the house while the kids are asleep. I would expect babysitting to include looking after/playing/feeding unless otherwise stated.
I would raise your prices and offer a reduction for kids already in bed, but not increase prices for kids not in bed. Otherwise it makes it seem like you are not really willing to look after children (and people like it when prices are unexpectedly cheaper but not more expensive e.g. if the child just won't stay in bed that evening)

@handpicked81 Why? 😂

But what good is the fact you are a teacher and 30 years experience, if you are expecting the children to be asleep and in bed? Aside from the first aid, what are you offering extra for the price you charge than the 16 year old charging £8-£10 an hour can't do?

it is a novel idea
two boys i looked after used to run rings around me, stayed up to watch the end of a film.
i was only 16

but if the parents are going out, to a meal theatre friends whatnot should they have to leave the house later to put their dc to bed before the baby sitter arrives?
doesnt really work

So you expect to be paid to sit and watch tv and eat. I think the cheek is you not the parent.
It sounds like a babysitter job to me. I have a nanny who does much more than this so I can't say that it's more childcare.

@anon2022anon They’re offering similar prices.

Will you bill them more if they wake up?!
I dont think you can have a rate for asleep or awake. If I’m paying h you to be there to look after my children it shouldn’t matter if they are asleep or awake you’re there to look after them. You should just be thankful when it is easy.

I'm sure I've read it wrong but it sounds like your complaining about having to baby sit awake children and prefer them to be in bed, so you can eat their snacks and watch their tv?

If it's too much hard work and you can't cope with it specify that all children need to be asleep upon your arrival, parents can decide then if to use you.

But they are not doing anything wrong by leaving their children awake but the onus is on you to check prior and decline the job

I say this as someone who runs a Nursery and seperate childcare Agency (including babysitting services)

@HelenWheels No, but not usually up all night making food, tidying, organising games and so on.

I think I would charge more, your the babysitter not a nanny.

But you're wanting to charge more, but not add any value to what they can charge, because the kids are asleep.
I don't understand how you can say you're preferable because you can do x, y, z, but you would like the kids asleep so those skills are actually not relevant at all.

If you want to charge more, then use those skills you have- offer to do homework or something educational with the kids.

This! I'm surprised by the people disagreeing!

Charging different prices depending on whether the DC are in bed or not really doesn't work - as others have said, what happens if they're asleep when you get there, but wake up an hour later? lol.

TBH I think £15 an hour to eat snacks and watch TV is easy work and you've been very lucky so far. Babysitting (generally) also involves active childcare.

@YellowphantGrey No. I’m querying if there should be a difference in charges between generally one child asleep on arrival and there up all night, expecting bath and bedtimes done, food prepared, tidying up, games organised etc

if he was staying up so late and demanding you make him snacks i would just say No to this particular job.

How is your experience and being a teacher relevant if you prefer the children to be asleep in bed?