SW London - how much does babysitting cost?

[Hels20]

New year - and trying to re-set expenditure. We had an amazing nanny for nine years and so didn’t need to worry too much about babysitting costs - as was happy to pay her her hourly rate. Since she left a few months ago, we have been using someone else - but it is becoming v expensive. 2 children - 12 and 8 - but both with extra needs (ADHD and mild ASD although no real issues going to bed) - but means we are probably at least 2 years off leaving them together whilst we go out.

currently paying £15 per hour - always rounded up. Plus Uber home (another £10 to £12) plus food (sometimes a takeaway from a local restaurant - so another £15 - although I know we can cut this out). Ideally I want to find a teenager (over 16) who lives close by so we can walk teen home and who would take £10 an hour. Am I being unrealistic?

So, £70+ outlay for 3 hour babysitting stint? I'm staggered! It's a long time since I needed one but I think I should set up a babysitting service....

It’s the same price where I am in NW London. We either takes the kids with us or just don’t go out it’s so expensive.

Have you got a local neighbourhood WhatsApp where you can ask if anyone has a teenager willing?

If you are in London @PTSDBarbiegirl - then you should!

@roses2 - trying to find a recommendation. It’s such an easy job for a teen as kids are in bed really and the teen could revise etc. We may just have to stop going out so much (about once in three weeks) and I may just have to go to theatre on my own (theatre has become so expensive but I can get cheap tickets from
time to time). We were invited to a local Christmas drinks party by friends - so no outlay once got there - but gift plus babysitting plus Uber for babysitter plus takeaway food - cost me £160! Going out is so expensive.

We are in Cambridge, so high cost of living, and paid £70 last night for 7:30pm to nearly 1am. Babysitter lives on same street so no transport issues. Usually we pay about £8ish per hour, and leave good quality snacks, but paid more last night as it was NYE and one of the kids had a guest sleeping over.

For what you are offering I would do it!

We pay £15 per hour but certainly wouldn't pay for the taxi and take away. I've never heard of paying for sitters food! Our sitter has a car with regards to getting here and back

As a professional nanny it always astounds me when I see people shocked at the price you should be paying for a babysitter.

You are leaving the most important thing in your world in someone else’s care. It is not unreasonable to expect to pay a proper fee for this.

I recently met with a couple looking for evening babysitting and the dad said “we’re going to pay you £15 PH to chill out on our sofa, you’ve got it made”

I then proceeded to tell him how I have to pay £100+ a year to stay OFTSTED registered, pay £70 a year for nanny insurance, £100 a year for first aid and that I have spent years studying and getting hands on experience looking after children. Also after a 10 hour shift at work, all I want to be doing is going back to my own home to relax and sort my life out so no, I haven’t got it “made” as he said.

If you want to pay someone £8 an hour, hire a teenager down the road. But you need to ask yourself, would they be willing to risk their life to save your child if a fire broke out in the property or would they know what to do in a series medial emergency?

As a professional child care worker, why is it deemed acceptable to want to pay us pittance yet you wouldn’t accept that in your own line of work if offered to you?

I’m in another part of London and when I looked up professional babysitters they wanted £20 an hour with a minimum of 3/4 hours

I think paying for a takeaway is OTT. Other than that the costs seem reasonable for a professional but finding a teenager is a good idea.

I’m in sw London. My teen got £15 an hour five years ago when she was in sixth form, plus taxi home. No takeaway, though. Actually, it might have been £12z

I don’t begrudge the money for a professional - and never begrudged our amazing nanny. But now our kids are older - I want to find a teen. Our current babysitter is our cleaner - lovely person but doesn’t drive. I trust her. But I think as kids are older - I don’t need to pay for a professional.

Also in SW London and £15 plus Uber home is standard. Don’t pay for a professionals dinner but they’re welcome to help themselves to snacks and drinks. But my 18YO nephew is now a student in London and will do it for £50 plus a pizza, use of the washing machine and stays over in our spare room so no hassle getting back to his halls as they’re no close. We don’t know of any local teens- I think a lot of people move out as there’s loads of little kids locally but far fewer older ones and the only teens on our road are at boarding school!

Also in SW London - my DC babysit and charge £11ph but only babysit for very local families ie within walking distance so one of the parents walks them home. They’ve never expected food to be provided but are always left snacks.
Have a look on Next door as I often see ads for teens looking for extra cash.

Just a thought though with you having a 12YO… do they have any friends with a sensible older sibling? A mate’s 15YO sister could be a good shout.

thanks for the tip - I did trial a 15 year old brother of a friend - but came back and realised he had been drinking. Made me really cross. My Ds12 doesn’t have loads of friends….and ideally I would want someone who was at least 16 - maybe first year of A Levels.

Anyway - seems like I might be expecting too much - and the solution might be to just not go out! When I was 16 / 17 I loved babysitting - was easy money. Could watch a film, read or do homework. Maybe teens now just want to go out and not earn money! Or not at £10 an hour!

My fourteen year old gets £10 per hour. It’s pretty easy money for her.

Also a professional nanny here.
I personally wouldn't leave my child/ren with a teenager if they had additional needs.
I've never had a takeaway supplied or a taxi, some houses haven't even had teabags!
But it's whatever you feel comfortable with.
Do any of the kids friends have older siblings?

I have babysat for over a decade. I am a mother of two and I charge £15 per hour within a 10 mile radius. Most families who have known for ages pay £20ph on their own accord. SW England.
I certainly wouldn’t expect a takeaway or taxi fare home. A cup of tea and a couple of biscuits is more than appreciated.

My DD gets between 10 and 15 an hour ( some just seem to hand her a wad of cash!) and only does walkable babysitting. Would never expect any 'proper' food.
Where are you based? She's keen for more work!

My SW London teens also babysit for £10/hr. Do you have a local what's app group you can ask on?