How much should I pay my babysitter

[grouphug]

A 17 year old from the next street is looking for babysitting work. She is coming round today for an hour so I can meet her properly and ask her some questions and then while I'm in the house leave them to see how she gets on with my 7 month old dd and then if it goes well I want to book her for a few hours at the weekends.

How much should I pay her? She is saying approx £3.50. She is an A level student, Just wondered what the norm was. I know that the nmm is £3.40 for all workers under the age of 18 who are no longer of compuslory school age and 4.60 for workers aged 18-21. Maybe I should give her £4.00? is that reasonable?

If the 17yr is happy with £3.50 (she said approx which can be confusing - would she take less, does she want more?) then maybe pay her that for the first few sits and if all is going well and your DD is happy/settled (though prob asleep if evening at weekends) then increase to £4.00

thanks imananny

Hope today goes well, I have no family nearby and this will be the first time I start to leave her. fingers crossed.

I pay £5.00 per hour to a 15 year old over the road and more if its after midnight.......

Hope she works out, the only thing I would be wary is that she is very young and how would she cope if there was an accident - would she panic though least her parents are round the corner if a real emergancy happend/can she drive/has first aid.

Is it worth maybe paying a bit more and having some one older/with more experience

On the other hand we all have to start somewhere - is she interested in becoming a nanny/working in nursery/CM in laterlife or is baby sitting an easy way to make money?

Lewt us know how the meeting went and how you feel towards her

MP - £5 for a 15 yr old and more after midnight

I know some qualified and experienced nannies in their late 20's who only get a £1 more (£6ph)I think my friend seriously undercharges,I personally charge more then that

I'd leave it up to the babysitter to decide how much they want to be paid. Approx £3.50 isn't that helpful, see if you can pin her down to a specific amount.
Hope the meeting goes well.

NN..my live in nanny charges £10 ph cash! so Sophie across the road is a better bet!!

Well it went ok she is really sweet and reminded me of myself when I used to babysit. She is happy with £3.50 per hour. Now planning a night out..well a meal down the road I have not been out in over a year! Thanks for the adviceimananny I will prob use her when Dd is in bed so hopefully I will not worry although I worry about not worrying lol.

glad you liked her grouphug and that you got money sorted out.

Enjoy your evenings out

Your live-in charges £10/hour in cash?

Seems awfully high for alive-in. I can understand it more for someone who has to stay at work and can't go home, but she is home.