What's a fair rate for "on call" childcare?

[TheSteveMilliband]

I am trying to arrange 48hr "on call" childcare with one of the nursery worker frOm ds1&2's nursery. Chances are they will have to do nothing (both dp and I do on calls, but would have to be unlucky to both be called at same time) but of course would have to be available and able to drive over if needed. Have no idea what / how to suggest payment! Was thinking a flat rate for on call and generous hourly rate if called in (especially as could be antisocial hours). Any advice on what to suggest? Nursery staff are fab and don't want to pitch it completely wrong!

How would someone from nursery be able to be oncall for 48 hours, they have their nursery job to do. Or do you mean at the weekend. Or do you mean something different? Perhaps you could give us an example of the oncall days/hours and if it's just an ad-hoc thing or regular weekly/monthly commitment.

Thanks for the reply nannynick. It would be a weekend, 9am sat-9am mon (in theory, though after 7am, any call would wait till the morning so shouldn't interfere with work). Some of the staff from nursery babysit in the evening and the rate suggested by them is £7/hr, though this is usually rounded up.
It's tying being on call-no boozing, have to stay nearby but equally it could be pretty easy money as its very unlikely they would need to come over (I am called out maybe 1 in 10 on calls, my dp 1 in 6/7 so would be very unlucky to be both called out together. But would be soda law we both would be if had no childcare

....and it is a one off, covering someone else's sick leave (normally able to avoid clashes).

I used to get an on-call allowance of £29/day (Mind you that was more than ten years ago) then paid usual weekend rates if actually needed. Is that the sort of thing you had in mind?

Could you and DH arrange or swap shifts so that you aren't both on call at the same time?

I wonder if having them stay over at your home regardless if you get called out would help lower cost in event of there not being a call out, plus meaning you knew where they were if you were called out.

Then you could offer say £200 and then increase it if you do both get called out thus they are left in sole charge.

£29 minder !
They would be welcome to stay over but stay in a fairly small town so they might prefer to be at home. I was thinking of flat rate of maybe £150 for weekend plus about £10/hr if called out (maybe higher if overnight) rounded to next hr (so if 1hr 5mins would get 2hrs paid). if was babysitting rates would be £350ish I guess. Does that sound reasonable

Mellen, generally try to but dh works 1 in 3 so not always easy, have taken a risk on one week night but wary about a Whole weekend!

i would be happy to be paid £150 for a weekend to stay at home/watch tv/do housework ie not a lot so im free to come at once if you call - but if then called in to then earn an extra £10ph on top

Okay I am cheap, but at least I'm cheerful.

Thanks everyone, the proof will be in the pudding-will anyone want to do it! Minder, still trying to remember what £29 would get you ten years back, have to think in terms of sweets or beer.

£150 sounds very reasonable to me. If they're only asking £7 an hour to babysit then I assume you're not in London/South East? I'd maybe say £100 to be on-call and then extra if they actually have to come out. £50 per 24 hours is good money to stay at home and not drink, which is all they'd have to do really.