my daughter babysitting...

hobbesy_2

I'm on the lookout for another reliable babysitter at the moment as sadly 16 year olds don't stay 16. They grow up and get jobs the annoying so and sos ;-)

They have usually been babysitting when I am at work, although I hardly make a fortune I still feel its fair they get a fair wage. At 15 with one child to look after my first babysitter got £3 per hour before midnight and £4 after (which it rarely was) and lift to here and back after. After my second child our second sitter was 16 and we put money up to £4.50 per hour before midnight and £5.00 after, or £5.50 if daytime so both kids were up, again with a lift home, drinks, snacks, etc. I know a qualified childminder or charges these rates if she does evening babysitting, both girls had much younger siblings but not first aid, childminder qualified obviously so i think we're fair.

Need to find a new nice young teenager lurking though now. Any suggestions? Was thinking of putting a card up at nursery asking for recommendations.

Keri -x-

inkie

Need to find a new nice young teenager lurking though now. Any suggestions? Was thinking of putting a card up at nursery asking for recommendations.

I would put a card up at your local college where the nursery nursing students might be interested in earning a few bob.

amandada

£10!!!

They'll have been paying more than that for a round of drinks while they were out!!!!

I'm watching with interest though as I may be away to try a new babysitter:)

woohoo

Hi,
we pay our babysitter £5 an hour - so 7pm-12 = £25. Babysitter is 15 and looks after a baby (already in bed) and a 4 year old who is usually up for an hour and goes to bed when told (at 8pm). Unlimited snacks/drinks etc. We either walk her home or watch until she gets in (lives a few doors away!).
Makes it a dear night out, but if you want a night out you have to pay it! I would hate to think we were being unfair.
HTH

Spendless

A lot of people seem to be paying their babysitter £5 an hour. Considering the min wage is £5.05 (I think) and only applies to people 21 and over, (again I think), which most babysitters aren't, doesn't anyone think this is expensive?

plane_boy2000

We pay our £4ph and always round it up i.e. if we got in at quarter past then I would round up to the next full hour - she lives down teh road so we either walk her back if we have been drinking or run her down there in the car. She is happy with that - currently 17 and at college, but also works at the local sports centre. Forgot to add we have 3 kids who are all in bed before she "clocks on" she is only really there in case they wake up or are ill etc og yeah, and we let her hep herself to anything she fancies and can watch sky boxoffice etc.

skintas_2

well if i go out i go at 12 as midnight, then let baysitter teenage neighbour about 17 who has 4 younger siblings sleep in my sons bed while my kids 2 boys sleep in my bed, they are asleep when he sits for me and i come back about 4 -5 pay him £25 to 30 which i think is good.......

Poppy9

I think £5 per hour is a lot to pay an unqualified, untrained teenager to babysit.

I used to babysit for my brother and sister for free. I just loved having the house to myself. I used to babysit with friends for their nieces and nephews too. Never expected any money just happy to watch what we wanted on TV.

I don't pay babysitters for DD either as I get MIL down to do it. Buy some nice cakes and pay for a taxi home for her - give her £5 for a £3 trip. Else DD stays with one of my sisters or sometimes with friends. I reciprocate happily for friends too.

Ellie2758

Spendless wrote: »

A lot of people seem to be paying their babysitter £5 an hour. Considering the min wage is £5.05 (I think) and only applies to people 21 and over, (again I think), which most babysitters aren't, doesn't anyone think this is expensive?

Yes! I do. £5 an hour to sit watching telly!!! Ok, if there are 4 kids it is a bit different but if you only have 2 kids and they are already in bed :eek:

maxfactor_3

Wow they really took the michael.I used to pay my babysitter for an evening out £10 over 10 years ago and let her eat all the food,go on the sunbed and walk her home/lift.I think £4 an hour would be quite reasonable.