Hi there - I am interested in a sitter who told me that she charges $13-$15/hr. What does this mean? Can I tell her that I want $13, and do I need to give an explanation for going with the lowest end on her range? I have a 16 month-old. She knew this info before providing the range. Thanks for your help!
Thanks all for your help! She said the range was just for what different families have paid for. We settled for $14/hr. Thank you!
When I got the range, I didn't ask. If they babysat while my kid was sleeping, I paid on the low end. If they babysat while she was awake I paid at the high end.
I imagine she gave you a range that's based on how many children, their ages, and the hours you expect her to take. I just saw that she knows your child, so I imagine the range is based on how many hours and what time of day/what day you want her for. I used to charge more for weekend nights that weekday nights because I had to give up my "free" time, and if I was only wanted for two hours I'd charge more but if they wanted me from after supper through 4 in the morning, or something, I'd discount it a bit.
Ask her to clarify what she expects you to pay her. Communication solves the issue.
My daughter babysits a lot and she averages $12-$15 an hour. She does not set any rates. The lowest she has received was $10 per hour over a year ago. She will turn 18 at the end of this month.
I look at it this way now and when we were hiring our weekly sitter for date nights.... she is blocking her night and time for you so I guaranteed $40 and if I had to cancel for any reason, the sitter got $40 because she did save her night for us and a last minute or late hour cancellation means she can't re-book therefore they were guaranteed payment when I booked them. THEN, I paid on top of the $40. Our weekly sitters were anywhere from $60-$80 a week.. WELL worth it!!
CASH
Its to cover different scenarios.
1 hour a week = more than steady work.
Night time care = less than daytime care
High needs / colicky v easy baby
Driving distance, etc.
Etc. etc. etc.
If you have a difficult baby that is going to be requiring a lot exhausting and exacting care... That would be a different price range than a very easy baby who is going to be sleeping through most of the time.
The range lets you figure out what you think is fair & adjust accordingly based on your needs. Providing a range gives you the freedom to make choices... Instead of just saying "16", it allows for flexibility.
It also provides a tip range for hard weeks (like ordinary pay may be 13, but teething = 16 that week.
I have to butt in and say I certainly hope this is a once in a blue moon babysitting thing because that is WAY WAY WAY too much money per hour for babysitting.
I would smile and say Thank you, but we'll be looking for someone else.
You can get full time child care in a facility for a full day for about the same amount you'll be paying her for a could of hours.
It amazes me that people will pay a babysitter more than minimum wage at the absolute most. That's just nuts. They have NO professional standing, they have no credentials, and they often are just kids themselves.
I cannot imagine anyone paying as much as you agreed upon. I would not pay that. I might pay that per child for the whole evening but that would be for more than a couple of hours out.
Tell her you are interested in $13 and she will share with you the details of that range.
She probably does not prepare food or clean etc. Just watch & change the baby.
Hi, H.:
So how much is that per week?
What is the difference to what she charges and
having the baby in a daycare?
How much do you earn an hour?
Just wondering.
D.
I would ask her. My sitter charges 10-15 per hour and the 15 was for both my kids and 10 for one. Sometimes sitters will charge more when they babysit at night but it really depends on the sitter. FYI for the area you live in (I live in NVA) that is actually on the average to lower end of the rate. It's not cheap where we live.
she may have a range becuase it covers different situations. I charge $10 to $12 per hour. the 10 is for 1 kid the 12 is for 2 children. I charge a flat rate for overnight regardless of whether I have one or 2 kids. just ask her exactly what her rate is for etc.
Well if you didn't talk specifics she probably gave you a range based on how many children. I would expect that with only one child you would probably be at $13 and that $15 is probably for 2 kids. I would ask her to clarify...I suppose it could have something to do with changing diapers or not changing diapers or something else, but it's probably number of kids. I would just call her ask exactly how much she would charge for your child and for X number of hours you are going to be gone.
She has her range. You have yours. Tell her what your range is. If that is not OK with her, you need to find another sitter.
I have 2 kids and now will only pay $11/12 per hour. If a sitter tells me her rate is $13+, I say, "sorry, no thanks, I pay X per hour." I listed my paying rate on a site and a woman emailed me back saying she charges $18/hr. I said, "sorry, this won't work" and she agreed.
No, you don't need to give an explanation. That's your budget, period. In my area people pay $10-15/hour. I know a mom with 4 kids (12 yr old boy, 3 8-yr-old triplets) who pays her sitter $10/hour. I gave my incredible sitter a pay raise from $12 to $15 when I had my 2nd child, not realizing I was shooting myself in the foot. I've been trying to find a cheaper sitter ever since. I am now paying $11/hour. And when the cheaper sitter is not available, I pay the higher rate. :/
