Hi I am going to hire a babysitter for my 2 and 4 year old for this Spring/Summer. I have found a college grad who is interested in the job (b/c she only has a part time job now) Usual babysitting stuff like play with the kids/change diaper/toileting/providing snacks etc. Sometimes I will be home (upstairs cleaning closets/rooms) other times she will be at my house with both children while i am out. Sometimes she will only watch one child and sometimes she will go with us to the park/pool etc. My question is, how much to pay? I was thinking $10.00/hr. Should it be a different amount if only watching one child/going on outings with us, etc Just need some help with this to see what other people do. Thanks!
I would go with a minimum of $10 and never go lower.
My 17 yr old babysits weekly for date nights and she averages $12-$15 an hour. However, she is fortunate and very appreciative. She is also very interactive with the children.
The going rate around here is $10 an hour.
I have a 2 & 3 year old with a college girl who watches them while I was in school and now I am towards the end of my pregnancy and just need to sleep while she plays with them. I pay her $12.50 an hour which I have found to be average. She is really good and does not sit them in front of the TV, cleans a little ( which I didn't ask but love). Sometimes I take one of my boys for an appointment and I do not change the rate but I also don't think it would be unreasonable to lower the rate for one child if the other one is away doing something else.
I think that it will all even out over the summer but I would offer 12 or 13 since it is two kids, plus the option of taking them places, and the simple fact that there are TWO kids - one prek and one toddler. Man, I used to charge 2.50/hr when I baby sat and THAT was GOOD money or so I thought with an average take home of 120/wk at 13! What happened???
I would go with the flat $10 an hour and not figure on less. She will be as tied up with one as she is with two and still just as tied up going to the pool as staying at your home. that falls along the same thing as "should I offer less since the kids will be asleep" lol. You might want to figure a set amount of time each week say 30 hours for "x" amount of pay. that way won't matter if its 1 kid or 2, whether its at home or away you there or not. and gives you a little leeway in whether you want her all day a couple days or 1/2 days for more.
