How much would you expect to pay an adult babysitter (not London)?

[schneebly]

I work part time term time only so will not be working over summer - I may also be going to university in September so I was thinking about advertising locally as a babysitter. I am 28 and work with children as my day job. I also have my own transport and am CRB checked. What would you pay for me d'you reckon?

I have contacted 'sitters' and they will apparently be in touch when they are interviewing in my area.

please?

You shuld look at charging at least £6.50 an hour

ooh thank you sounds good!

A local lad sits on an evening for us (when we go out) and we pay him £5.00 per hour, he will be 17 this year.

Thanks for replier How about £5.50 per hour based on 4 hour minimum and £6.50 per hour after the witching hour? Would that sound reasonable or would someone rather get a teenager for a bit less?

I get £10 per hour (Surrey/North Hampshire area). I'm childcare trained, CRB checked etc.

You could easily charge whatever the local sitters fee is, plus say an extra £1 per hour (as sitters bills parents additional fees on top of the hourly rate).
I think you will need to test the market a bit, perhaps have a figure in mind, but not put it on adverts - then see if you get enquiries and find out from parents what they are thinking of paying.

I'd increase the hourly rate and do less minimum hours. Works for me
Also, I don't charge extra after midnight. Same cost regardless of the time of day, day of the week, if there is a full moon or not! Far easier for parents to work out cost in advance that way.

Yes, some parents will choose a teenager or anyone else for that matter who charges less. However, some parents value having someone with childcare experience, relevant training etc. Some parents also value having the same person each time, rather than using an agency.

Nannynick - I believe the sitters fee is £5.54 or whatever minimum wage is but they do the 4 hour minumum thing. It is a very 'family' oriented area around here and fairly affluent so I am hopeful that I will get a few enquiries. I have designed some cards for advertising and not put a price on just "contact for further details".

Don't think I could get away with what you charge but I am not as qualified or experienced as you are and live in the North!

Location will certainly make a difference.
Maildrop to local homes and see what happens.

Thank you very much for your help and advice

I charge £10 per hour and have a minium of 3 hours to make it worth my while.

Sitters pay VERY bad money imo

sure you can get at least £8 - esp as some people use teenagers and pay them £5/6 ph

Meeting families first is something I always do. Some parents don't want to do it - but I turn those ones down, as surely most parents would want to meet whoever was doing the actual babysitting.

I ALWAYS meet the family first, I would seriously query a family who was happy to leave their child/ren with a stranger (i mean when they reply to your ad, not through an agency, where you have paid a fee to VET the nutters out

and believe me I get a few emails from famillies who would be happy for me to look after their children and dont ask for references/want to meet me - these I AVOID like the plague

also agree that it is expsensive to be able to go out AND pay a babysitter

I too always meet the families.

It is really odd though - I get some enquiries through my web site but when i ask the families to meet me in a public place (for my safety as well as theirs), some of them don't get back to me.

What's that all about?