Babysitting questions

[lifeofashowwoman]

Does anyone here use a babysitter? I've been trying to find someone who I can use ad hoc to put the kids to bed and sit in so I can go out for an evening, but it doesn't seem to be much of a thing, none of my kids friends parents use babysitters, they all have family who can help.

I've seen a couple of professional babysitters advertising but then it's like £20 an hour which if you're going out for an evening is up to £100 extra, are people routinely paying that on top of a night out for childcare? Or am I right in thinking it's just not a thing and I should just give up on my dreams of going out in an evening?!

I'm very curious and puzzled about what other people do so would be very grateful if anyone can suggest any options

It’s about 15/hour here. That’s why we only do it once in a blue moon as it’s too much of an outlay.

I think unless you have family/friends/neighbours with teenagers who would be happy to do it say £40 and a takeaway you do need to find & pay for a professional which comes with a higher price tag.

Can you do some babysitting swaps with a friend?

This is why I never go out with my DH! I don’t want a night out enough if it’s going to turn into £200!

I just find it absolutely mad that people would even leave their kids with a stranger tbh. So im not surprised you’ve found it’s not really a thing.

We had nursery staff round a few times and paid £15 an hour but it was 10 years ago so £20 seems about right for a qualified sitter. We only did that a couple times and then just gave up on going out at the same time for years until the kids were old enough to do babysitting swaps with friends.

Most charge £10-£15 even the teens, I had to go to a meeting and my husband was away with work it cost me £25 for two hours it’s the going rate and I understand they want paying properly I just don’t have that kind of money to spend unless it’s an emergency,

Around here (London), the going rate is £12-16ish an hour for a qualified babysitter. £20 is a lot! We pay £14/hr.

When the kids were little, we used nursery staff. Now they are a bit older we use a local agency where all of the babysitters have at least 3 years of professional childcare experience - our regular sitters are young teachers or TAs.

I would ask around on local parenting WhatsApp groups/Facebook groups.

I use a babysitter for a night out and accept that it's going to make the night out craaaaazy expensive, in exchange for a feeling of normality again for an evening (but don't do it often). Still, feels worth it for me

We pay £16/h to a nursery worker we know well.

I would only use someone I already knew and trusted - I think the idea of getting a random off the internet is slightly negligent.

And if I’m employing a responsible, trained person, I expect to pay them well for that.

For cheaper nights out we swap favours with friends.

My teen does baby sitting for neighbours for about £10 per hour. It seems that teenage babysitting is so much rarer than years ago or maybe it’s just my imagination?

Yes, of course they do.

I don't, currently, as my dd are all now adults, but my dc have been paid to babysit as teens.

I wouldn't take MN prices as 'typical' either.

Doesn't matter if we are talking about the cost of work on a house, or the amount you give a teen going on a residential, or how much people spend on a haircut, the numbers I read about on MN are complete fantasy compared with price I pay for things, and people I know pay for things.

How old are your dc ?
We've used teens we know through things like Scouts or Swimming Club or Church. We've used a neighbour and our first babysitter was our CM's dd. My dc have been asked by people similarly.

My friend does babysitting as a little side hustle and she charges £15 an hour until 9pm and then £20 and hour and will only work until midnight so 7-12 earns her £90 it’s best good money and she has regular people she goes too and so it is a needed service.
if I did it I certainly wouldn’t do it for any less!!

You need to.find a.local teenager. My daughter does it in the holidays but we are in a village where everyone is known.

@Freshrain I am glad you said that because I notice it too.

I am in London so an expensive area of the country but the rates people on Mumsnet pay for this sort of thing are much higher than what I see around me

I would expect to pay £10-12 an hour depending on whether the kids were up or not

I charge £18 an hour at night time as I am a qualified childcare professional and thats what you're paying for.
For me personally I wouldn't leave my children with someone who isnt qualified/I dont even know. Especially when they are asleep and so at their most vulnerable. But that also means that me and my husband have no social life together!

I am a qualified Nanny and charge £15 an hour. Yes, it’s expensive but then so is a meal and a round of drinks.

Just use sitters.co.uk

How old are your children?