How much for Babysitting

[50shadesofmagnolia]

AIBU to think that the babysitter should set her fees?

My daughters wants to start babysitting. She is a young scout leader, first aid qualified and 15 years old.

I have never used baby sitters so I have no idea what she should charge. Her friends advise her that they just take what is offered but I think that’s sends the wrong message. Am I over thinking it? I think these lessons follow women into the workplace!

Also how much do you think is reasonable?

I’d do some research about what others in the area charge, look on local facebook groups and also on childcare.co.uk to see what babysitters generally charge near you. Also look up minimum wage for under 18s

I pay £10 an hour, £30 minimum so it’s worth their while, my various babysitters are all 17 plus and make their own way / home (they drive).. it’s not their career - they just do it for extra cash. Ps my kids are not babies, so it’s more of a game of monopoly / watch a film type thing. Xx

My friends 15 year old daughter used to babysit for me and she charged £7.50 an hour. This 8 years ago and in London. I was definitely ok with her setting her own fee.

Since then I’ve offered £7.50/hr to another friends daughter who was 16; she didn’t know how much to charge so that’s what I suggested.

Now my kids are older the oldest (16 now) babysits the youngest if we go out in the evening. He used to get £10 all-in but has recently renegotiated his fee to £15 all-in. I’m waiting for him to come back again with a NMW argument 😁

The staff at our nursery charge £10 an hour for 1 child, £12 an hour for 2. Obviously they have the advantage of the qualifications and know my eldest (youngest is a baby who they’ve met at drop off/pick up). We will offer to pick them up if convenient, wouldn’t drop them home as usually would have had a drink. I do think your DD should definitely set her rate, but do some market research and charge less than local baby sitters.

I know im being a bit dull but how do I do market research? Is there a place they advertise? Soo out of my depth. Thanks for all the advice.

When I was younger it was through word of mouth so I imagine it's hard to find prices to compare. I got around £50 for the evening, from 7-midnight. Maybe more if later. The dad would then either walk me home or pay for a taxi. They would also leave snacks for me to eat. The kids also went to bed around 8 so I didn't have to do that much and got to enjoy watching sky TV which we didn't have at home 😂

Not at all! childcare.co.uk is a good place to start. Put in your location and you’ll be able to see what local baby sitters are charging with what qualifications and it will give you a really good insight.

I would look into sharing her details and availability in your local community Facebook groups. Get her to do it herself though, it will make her look more responsible than if mum does it on her behalf!

eta - where I said charge less than local baby sitters in my last post, I meant charge less than local professional baby sitters!

That’s such a good point. None of them use Facebook but she’s going to have to suck that up. Thank you. 🙏🏻

She needs to think like a millennial to get our money; and sadly for her thats via Facebook 😆 good luck to her!

Do you have any friends with young children or friends of friends with young children? In the nicest possible way I am not sure I would pick some unknown teenager from a Facebook advert. The reason I got to babysit for the family I did was because the mum knew the leader of the guides pack I went to and the guide leader asked if I would be interested in doing it as she knew the family were looking for someone (as I lived relatively close to the family). They actually asked a few of us and we all took it in turns (guess this was a way they could always guarantee someone was available).

I think at 15 with no real childcare experience or qualifications then you take what you’re offered.

But you also need to have an idea of what you think you should charge because some might ask you.

Benchmarking, there are a few comparison points.
Minimim wage for any other job she could sensibly get.
What childcare pays their staff.
What she thinks is worth the effort.

I wouldn’t be expecting to pay nursery staff rates to a 15 yr old, but I would treat them well. (Child in bed asleep, or a significant uplift for the bit when they’re awake, Wi-Fi code, decent snacks etc).

(Beaver parents are an excellent target for babysitting business).

I’ve never either, but there are local girls who make a killing. It’s a relatively small community, we’ve just moved here so I guess they’re well known. One of them has her own group with over 160 members! I think that’s why the local groups are important rather than just posting here there and everywhere.

I wouldn’t employ her unless she gets a paediatric first aid certificate and can get herself to and from my home. If she does that I would pay her £9-10 an hour with snacks .