Rates for babysitter?

[dawn1620]

This summer DH & I would like to find a college-age student to keep our 8 year old DD for a couple of days during the week this summer. She usually stays with her grandmother but doesn't want to again this year (says she is boring).

We thought about contacting the local college to see if they could recommend any students in their childhood education dept or something similar that would be interested. References, CPR, experience, ect will be important, too.

We would not expect her to clean anything besides maybe putting dishes they use in the dishwasher, fix her meals, ect. Mostly someone to watch her, play games, take her to the park, ect for a couple of days during the week while we are at work.

I don't know what to expect to pay for this kind of service - what would you think a good payrate would be. We don't want to be cheap but we can't afford to pay through the nose either. But I am very willing to pay a good rate if we find someone we trust and that DD likes. The hours would be between 8:30 and 4 each day.

 

[SC Minnie]

DD15 does this for a 7 year old during the summer- last summer and already set up for this summer. There have a neighborhood park and pool so they walk there. She works 7:30 - 4 and is paid $8/hour. She has to clean up only what they mess up during the day. And the child is only allowed 1 hour or 1 movie of tv/day so the rest of the time they are playing, doing crafts, etc.

Although DD isn't a college student hopefully it gives you a reference point.

 

[Eeyores#1Fan]

My DD charges $7 an hour and a dear friends DD charges $8. They are not college students either though. I did have a college student pick up my oldest when she was younger and take her to dance/gymnastics class 2x a week and I paid her $25 a week but it was only for about 3 hrs total.

 

[Kathi OD]

My DD did this while she was a college student (education major) for 2 children, 10 years ago. She worked from 7:30 - 5, M - F and made $300/wk. I know that's been awhile, but worked out to just over $6/hr to watch 2 children. I'm thinking that $8/hr. for one child is fair.

 

[tinkerdorabelle]

My next door neighbor went back to work a couple months ago when her daughter was only 6 months old, the baby is now 8 months. Her babysitter gets paid $12 an hour. I totally get blown away by this, wow.

 

[abdmom]

My next door neighbor went back to work a couple months ago when her daughter was only 6 months old, the baby is now 8 months. Her babysitter gets paid $12 an hour. I totally get blown away by this, wow.

Me too! That's cheap for babysitting an infant on a full time basis. When I interviewed babysitters 3 years ago, the going rate for an infant was $15-$16/hour and that was in the Midwest.

For an adult, and that includes college kids, I wouldn't offer less than $10/hour, especially if you are looking at education majors.

 

[disfan07]

I'm a college student and I charge $12/hour for 1 to 2 kids; $15/hour for 3 kids and $18/hour for 4 kids

Most of the parents end up paying me more than that....usually about $15/hour for 1 or 2 kids.

I wouldnt pay a college student less than $10/hour. The majority of college students I know wouldnt be willing to take the job for less than that.

 

[daisyduck123]

My DD15 gets paid $10.00 an hour for watching 1 two-year old.

 

[golfgal]

I am glad we don't live where you all live. Most ADULTS don't make that kind of money in their jobs, let alone a teenager for babysitting.

DS17 does after school care for two kids (10 and 12). They pay him $7/hour and we think that is HIGH. He does drive himself there and back, all of 2 miles, though.

DD14's friend babysits a 9 year old and gets $100/week (8-4:30 every day). They think that is just UNBELIEVABLE. People forget how much even $20 is to most kids.

When our kids were in need of babysitters the going rate was $1/hour/kid.

 

[Piglets Mommy]

I think it totally depends on your area. Around here, a young teen (13-15) would get around $10/hr/kid. If you are looking for a college student, you will probably have to pay more...they could find another job making more. If you are in an area where it is harder for teens to find jobs, then you could probably get away with paying less.

 

[laurie31]

My DD13 babysits a 6 year old and a 2 year old. She makes $7/hour and the MOM IS HOME! The mom works from home and DD takes the kids out to play so mom can work. She does this 2 afternoons a week for 3 hours, so she gets $42/week.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I had a nanny in October for 2 weeks when I was at the height of my hypermesis. I have 3 children and I paid her $10 per hour. She worked about 40 hours a week and was to basically keep my kids out of my hair while I focused on...not being sick.

I have 3 children, the youngest was in diapers.

$8 an hour for an other wise self sufficient child sounds fair to me. You might even get by with a little less for a guaranteed gig. But I wouldn't go too much less.

The rate I paid was a favored rate. Limited budget, last minute booking and they were seriously helping me out. She probably was worth more like $12 or $14 an hour since she is a professional full time nanny and not just a "sitter".

As someone said--it depends also on the neighborhood. I'm sure a babysitter in a manhatten high rise is going to cost more than a sitter in small town, USA.

 

[mjkacmom]

I
When our kids were in need of babysitters the going rate was $1/hour/kid.

I got paid $6 an hour to babysit 20 years ago! I paid dd13's sitters $8 - $10 an hour when she was little.

 

[AKL_Megs]

When I babysat two kids (under 10 all the years I babysat them) 12 years ago, I made $10 an hour, and that was for two kids. I was about 15-16.

If I was college aged, I would expect more.