Would I be letting the side down if I started Babysitting?

[KatyMac]

I am a childminder, not a babysitter

But I'm short on cash and getting desperate

How much should I charge - Double the C/M rate or £6 an hour or what?

if you need the money and can get the work why not? i couldn't afford to pay a sitter that much BUT i have a 13yr old dd
ask nannynick about charges?

Is there demand? How much would parents be willing to pay? You're not located where I am, so not sure you would get the same sort of fee I get. Perhaps ask parents of mindees how much they pay babysitters... at same time that finds out if they already have a babysitter and could establish if they would consider having you babysit.

I guess

All you can really do is a bit of market research amongst people you already know - perhaps have a mini survey in your next newsletter. Then based on responses decide what you want to start charging... do some promotion, and see if you get any work.

depends what you normally charge to cm, but as bs is unsocaible work/hours, then depending on area, you should charge at least your cm hourly rate and a little bit more

maybe contact some of your local agencies and ask what the hourly rate is for your area?

put an ad on www.netmums.co.uk

Hi Katy

I make good extra cash out of babysitting and i don't see it as letting the side down, just providing a much needed service.

I am in the North West and charge £7 per hour before midnight and £9 after.I give a small reduction if the children are already asleep when I arrive. This is expensive for where we live but I have bookings months ahead as there aren't many people who do it and IME first time mums are reluctant to use 'Sitters' babysitting service.

That's reassuring tbh

We are a bit more like NW than London

I guess I should start advertising - do you put that you are a C/Mer or just CRB/1st Aid etc?

As a parent I would find it reassuring that you were a CM as it shows that you are a professional and used to dealing with kids of all ages in that kind of environment and so would go for you rather than one that just stated CRB checked etc

I am a CM but I also work for Sitters.

I really enjoy it and get paid around £6 an hour, but a minimum of 4 hours paid.

If you are interested give sitters a ring 0800 389 0038, or visit the website www.sitters.co.uk

If you want any more info on working for them I am happy to help.

Don't see it as letting the side down AT ALL.

yes Katy, I say I am a CM but my advert says lots of other things as well, such as the fact I do ad hoc and emergency childminding and night nanny work.

As twofishes says people are reassured by the fact that you work in the childcare industry and are not just anybody looking for a bit of pocket money.

Do you have extra insurance for the night nanny work (what is that exactly)

Katymac - are you a memeber of the NCMA? As that will cover you to babysit if you get a parent to complete the NCAM babysitting record form.

Around here I earn £8 per hour via sitters or £10 per hour if people have contacted me directly.

I DO NIGHT NANNYING, I HAVENT GOT EXTRA INSURANCE BUT I DO HAVE INSURANCE WITH MORTONMICHEL

I BASICALLY GO IN AND EITHER RE TRAIN OLDER BABY/CHILD WHO HAS GOT IN BAD HABITS/OR NEVER GOT OUT OF THEM [GRIN] OR START WHEN BABY IS NB/FEW WEEKS OLD AND WILL GET THEM SLEEPING THROUGH THE NIGHT.

SOME I DO 2/3 NIGHTS A WEEK, OTHERS RING UP AGENCY AND BASICALLY WANT A GOOD NIGHTS SLEEP,BUT ARENT WILLING TO PAY FOR EVERY NIGHT, SO I MIGHT DO 1 A WEEK

AND FORGOT TO SAY, BUT YOU ARE def NOT LETTING THE SIDE DOWN, YOU ARE EARNING MONEY/OVERTIME AND PREVIDING A MUCH NEEDED SERVICE TO MUMS

damn, just reliesed all in caps, sorry

OK
I'll get some cards printed up - do I trade on my rep as a childminder or keep the 2 separate?

It's hard to decide

I guess overnight is a lot of money

Lots to think about

katy, dont think it will hurt to say on your printed cards that you are a registered childminder, have first aid/crb checked etc and that you are avilable to bs

but make it clear that you will go to house,rather than the parent think as you are a cm, that you are offering to have children at yours in evening