Whats the going rate for a babysitter???

[DKMA]

I've managed to find a suitable babysitter to look after my 10 month old baby.
She is someone we've known for a couple of years - she works at the weekends at the yard where I keep my horse. She has been doing a childcare course at college and has just started a placement at my lo's nursery.

We live in the North West.

I have no idea what to offer her - and she has not babysat for anyone before so has said she will accept whatever we think appropriate?

Help!

anyone?????????

£5 an hour

We are in South West London and I pay £5/hour for my unqualified babysitter, who is just there once the kids are asleep (ie doesn't do anything unless they wake up)

yeah id say thats fair, got to make it worth their while really. that way they wont mind if your a bit late home too

£5 an hour sounds fair to me, plus taxi fare home.

Or you could give a flat rate for the evening, say £20, plus taxi home

I think you need to find what local prices are - ask the others at your lo's nursery to see what they charge/pay.

And a taxi/lift home is mandatory, unless she has a car/horse.

I feel that your babysitter needs to tell you how much they want. They could ask staff at the nursery they are on placement at for advice on what to charge. Also she could compare with her work at the stable yard... as a teenager I recall comparing with what I earned doing a paper-round.
As a teenager (when I was unqualified and inexperienced), I recall charging £1.50 per hour... this was 15ish years ago mind.

I think we used to pay £4/5 an hour 10 years ago in the NW, also a childcare student, but if LO is in bed I think it's a fair rate.

I pay ours £5, she is a qualified nursery nurse works out dds old nursery looking after the 'baby' room so am happy to have her.