How much to pay babysitter? Need some quick opinions pls!

[BigBruisedFruit]

I have a woman to watch my 7mo every now and then when he's at home and I'm working.

She doesn't have childcare qualifications or anything, she's just a nice local lady I found on the local Facebook page. She charges £100 for the day 9-5 (outside London) so a pretty low rate.

I work from home so can help out, put baby down to nap, come in to breastfeed, etc. He sleeps for about 2hrs total during her time here.

Today she had to leave at 3.40pm as her child was ill. I obviously now cannot continue working for the rest of the day, though I'll still be paid for a full day.

Should I pay her:

1. The full £100
2. £83 (the pro rata rate)
3. £90 (middle way)

Please just tell me the right thing to do, I'm rubbish at stuff like this. Thanks.

I’d pay £90

don't be tight, pay her the £100 given that you're already paying her less than the national minimum wage and I assume no national insurance or pension contributions?

If she has never left before, I'd probably just give the £100 given you are still paid and its only 1.5hrs...

If it was longer I'd cut it though.

If you like her, she's usually reliable, and you want to use her again I wouldn't deduct anything

That's right, no NI or anything, it's just an occasional casual arrangement. Thanks all, I will send the full £100 now.

If she is reliable and good with your DC and you like her then I'd say pay her in full. It would be such a small amount to deduct anyway for you but paying her in full would mean way more to her.

Agree that since you’re paying less than minimum wage, and she’s reliable, you should pay the full £100.

I agree £100, especially since you yourself also gets paid in full 👍

Just the full amount if a one off

Definitely pay her the full amount. Her goodwill will be far more valuable to you than the £10 or £20 you save by part paying her.

What would you expect to happen if you had to leave becsuse your child was ill?

Can I ask how are you comfortable with a stranger you found on Facebook, with no qualifications caring for your child? This seems wild to me. Does she at least have a DBS?

This is more expensive than nursery, and nursery workers are qualified. Where does he go on other days?

Bloody hell. You already said she was cheap. Pay her the full £100.

Pay her the full amount. You didn't lose money over her leaving.

I am a bit confused how people think £100 is cheap for a non qualified person? We live in London and yes our nursery is more expensive £125 a day but it’s 8am to 6:30 and people are qualified.

I pay £65 for a full day at nursery for my child. This is wildly expensive to me. You’d be cheaper with a childminder?

Assuming she’s cash in hand and most likely claiming benefits on the side? I would need to have a chat about payment going forward if this happens again, it’s causal work so you don’t get paid for what you don’t do.

It’s also above minimum wage if you take off a half hour unpaid break like most employers do.

Am I the only one thinking £100 a day is not cheap at all? Yeah it’s slightly below minimum wage but I’m assuming that doesn’t include breaks? The average childminder where I am charges £50-£60 a day. But that’s in Scotland. Perhaps it’s more expensive where you are.
Nevertheless, I think you were right to pay her the full amount.

How is £100 cheap? She’s in her baby’s own home, using OP’s only resources. I think you’re all nuts claiming £100 to be cheap. You’d have a field day in Ireland, typical full day is €30-€60 for Creche (mine is €30 8am-6pm) others more expensive. Child-minder is about €50/80 per day in their own home.

Its cheap because its 1 to 1 care, a nanny would be twice the price.
She said its a casual arrangement not everyday.

Babysitter charges me £100 from 7pm-10pm and I have to pay her taxi home too!!

And tbh why can’t you work for a couple hours with 7 month close by? Or work later? I’m sure she’ll be flexible in future in return

You are still paid for a full day ,so do the decent thing,pay her less and she may move on.

Don't know what Creche your kids are going to but my Niece works in a creche and I can assure you they do not pay that little or anywhere near it..mind ya,it's all drs teachers surgeons and such like kids that go there ..