Babysitting rates?

bhz-2

I've been asked to babysit for some friends, but I'm not sure how much to charge.

What are the current babysitting rates? How much should I charge if I look after more than one child at a time? Are the rates the same after midnight? One of these friends lives nearby and I can walk to her house, but what if the family lives a few miles away, which means I have to drive?

I'm a responsible and mature person, with some babysitting experience (many years ago) but no relevant qualifications.

Thanks in advance.

geordie_joe

I think the best thing to do is find out what others charge in your area, or more importantly, what others are paying for in your area.

Like many things, such as cleaning and ironing, it all depends on the area. Specifically supply and demand. More babies the sitters and the price goes up, more sitters than babies and the price goes down.

There's no point in someone from Manchester telling you they charge £10 per hour when you live in London and very sitter in London charges £15 per hour.

Do some research, find out what the going rate is in your area and charge that.

bhz-2

I forgot to say I live in a town near Edinburgh.

welshie84

i live in edinburgh and do lots of babysitting. going rate is 6 quid an hour.

bhz-2

welshie84 wrote: »

i live in edinburgh and do lots of babysitting. going rate is 6 quid an hour.

How much do you charge if you're babysitting more than 1 child at a time?

welshie84

£7 depending on what needs done. If they will be in bed when you arrive hen £6 is reasonable but if you need to feed them, bath them and put them to bed then £7 is reasonable.