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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

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Original poster

16 year old babysitter during day at weekend

60 replies

Newtothis12345 · 09/06/2023 14:48

Hi,
I’ve seen an advert for a 16 year old babysitter, who is off to college soon to do childcare. She has done a bit of babysitting before. I have asked her mother how much she charges but she isn’t sure yet. Before I meet her I thought I’d get advice from others.

We are looking at having her for 3/4 hours on a Sunday- we would be around the house so we wouldn’t expect sole charge at all, it would more be like a big sister role. It would totally depend on the mood of the children but the aim would be to give my husband and I a bit of time to do some exercise, catch up on housework, life admin, etc.

We have 2 toddlers so would expect her to play in the sandpit with one/both, push them on the swing, read the same story 1000 times, do some cooking with one of them etc. Basically be another pair of hands to keep the kids happy.

I’ve seen the minimum wage for under 18s is £5.18/hr. I have used a nanny on an ad hoc basis (she’s mid 30s, totally qualified, has both children sole charge, capable of driving the children, putting them to bed, nappies, keeping the house tidy, cooking for them, not fazed if they’re ill etc), she’s amazing and charges £12/hr. I will keep using her when I need solid childcare for work but she seems a bit over qualified to be an additional pair of hands on a Sunday morning.

Any thoughts?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

HamBone · 09/06/2023 17:05

MakesMeFeelSad · 09/06/2023 16:34

It's fine, no wonder so many teenagers go off to uni clueless if they have parents that think 16 is too young to play with a couple of toddlers and bake cakes ! The op isn't even going to be out the house!

@MakesMeFeelSad I agree that it’s important to gradually give teenagers responsibilities so they can grow and mature. In society’s eyes, you’re an adult at 18 and it’s part of our “job” as parents to teach them how to be adults.

Sending an 18-year-old off to university unable to look after themselves and be (relatively!) responsible isn’t doing them any favors at all.

mycatsanutter · 09/06/2023 17:13

I used to do similar when I was 15/16 would go to their house about teatime and play with them /sit with them whilst they ate , the mum was on her own a lot and appreciated a bit of help , she would do jobs /walk their dog /nip out. The boys were 3 and 4 I went every Friday. If I had a girl coming round to do similar I would pay £30 for 4 hours .

HazyDragon · 09/06/2023 17:29

At 16 I would think it would be absolutely fine; some posters have a very low expectation of young people.

For a pay I would say £4 per child, per hour would be fair. I think your Nanny charging £12ph is crazy cheap.

WheelsUp · 09/06/2023 17:31

She's very lucky to have a job which is something that she's interested in rather than a random job like most 16yo would have. Your suggested salary is fine but as someone else said, it might be harder for her to do her job if you're around as the kids will prefer you but you know your kids best.

Original poster

Newtothis12345 · 09/06/2023 18:16

mycatsanutter · 09/06/2023 17:13

Great, this is really useful. Sounds like £7/£7.50 would be a fair offer. Up to her if she would like to accept

OP posts:

Original poster

Newtothis12345 · 09/06/2023 18:19

Thanks again for all the helpful comments.
we have had a bit of ad hoc help in the past (au pair for 6 months, and a 19 year old last summer) and the children were fine. They soon realised that baking cupcakes or making a den was more fun than folding up washing with me. After a couple of sessions they also realised that I wasn’t going anywhere and relaxed playing with the helper. I made sure I was around but didn’t pop into the room they were into, so as not to disrupt them. They were usually fine for about an hour and would then want to check that I was still about, but would then happily go off again. I did usually suggest/organise the activities myself, rather than rely on the initiative if someone who wasn’t very experienced.

OP posts:

Tarantella6 · 09/06/2023 18:31

I used to do exactly this with 4 kids under 5, if you think a 16yo can't do this then you must know some really useless teenagers!

I think £8ph OP, based on absolutely nothing scientific😁

EarringsandLipstick · 09/06/2023 19:03

OP, this sounds like such a good idea, a clever way of getting stuff done while knowing toddlers are safe!

My 16 yo DD is very competent to look after small DC, does so regularly (alone) for several family members (she's the oldest cousin) & can cook dinners for them etc foo. (I know you're not asking her to do that). Like many things, it depends on the teen.

Blondeshavemorefun · 11/06/2023 17:35

£6ph is a good start

You are about

She is 16 and wants to get into childcare

Some of the Replies on here rofl

NurseryNurse10 · 21/06/2023 19:00

I agree, £7 or £8 an hour. She will have her hands full and will be actively looking after them rather than just looking at the baby monitor here and there while they sleep.
Also thinking that your other nanny is crazy cheap...

As for the age, I was babysitting sole charge at 15 with no issues. You are there and she's not far off adulthood. I think the main issue will be the kids wanting you so best to stay out the way as much as possible as will be very hard on your sitter.

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