Babysitter etiquette

[shaniahoo]

I know someone who has a teenage daughter who wants babysitting jobs. It might be a good option for us with DD5 as we don't have local family and never get to go out together! But I'm wondering a few things like what's the going rate for babysitting, do you give an hourly rate or just an amount for an evening? Do you have to leave food for them? And is it better for them to come before bedtime so your kid knows they're there, or is it better to only have them come after bedtime so that the babysitter isn't expected to do much other than be there?

Hi I am a trained nanny and babysit.
I think a teenager you would pay eight pounds an hour .
I think it’s lovely if people leave out snacks maybe crisps and a chocolate bar

We pay £10 an hour. Might be a bit much but he's a lovely kid and tbh we can afford it and I like to be generous when I can.

I think it's important for the kids to know the babysitter so either arrange a 'getting to know you' meet or get them to come half hour before bedtime. It would be quite scary for a child to have to come down and talk to someone they don't know if they have a problem / are ill / can't sleep.

I leave biscuits out if I have some, and do a general 'root around in the cupboards if you're hungry' but he's never helped himself to as much as a glass of squash, let alone a sandwich.