My husband and I are trying to get a hold of costs - like most people. One cost area I am trying to understand better is our babysitter rate. Can you please share with me what the going rate is caring for one 13 mth old child? Our daughter is a healthy, constantly happy, good eating & sleeping baby with no special needs. Her ability to use sign language has been a huge benefit to caring & playing with her.
Fortunately, a friend I have known for many years cares for our daughter in our home when we need assistance (approx 20-25 hrs month; day time). She is 28 years old, college educated and a smart entrepreneaur. Currently, we pay $17 per hour up to 6 hours, and $12 per hour for less than 6 hours. She doesn't care to come if less than 4 hours - unless she happens to be coming to our area for other purposes, as she lives 50 min's away (we understand the concern). As one would guess - our daughter feels most comfortable with this sitter than anyone else who has ever cared for her. We have felt it's worth the "premium" we pay to have someone we know, trust without a doubt, know our daughter is delighted, and she's in our home safely. However, the discussion of rate came up recently with our friend and I would like some current reference knowledge.
What do you pay? Do you cap your babysitting fee? I would like to establish a fair hourly rate and a day rate (that's capped - one flat fee for a 10-12 hr day). Thanks for your help.
Thank you everyone for the reply - and so quickly. We really appreciated the comparison scenerio's. You have each validated our feelings. My husband and I have decided we are indeed going to have this discussion and state the need for a lower rate. While it's a tough conversation - even if we didn't know her so well - we feel good knowing we would pay a fair rate. If she says no, we need another sitter, probably even a second for back up. If anyone knows an individual in the E. Nthpt area please send me a note. Enjoy the holiday weekend! Peace
Just for comparison sake, I have a college freshman who watched my son for a few hours a day after camp. She works in a day care and is certified in CPR, so good credentials (but obviously younger than your sitter). She asked for $8/hour, I gave her $10/hour. She was great with my son and he really like her so I wanted to give her more.
Wow!!! I'll babysit for you!! LOL!!! I am a SAHM...I recently starting babysitting for a friend of a friend...her 2 small kids (now 1 and2...when I started 6mos and 18mo's). I babysit in their home and bring my youngest child(was 2 of them but my 4th is starting K)with me...I get $10/hr and I only am there while my 4 older kids are in school...so for a short work week(930-3, m-f)I'm making $200. I know it's cheaper than most but I wasn't looking and I still feel like I'm making a killing...easy kids :) Most of the in-home mom's I know around here charge 125-175 per week for kids under 2 and 100-150 for older kids(I'm talking all day)...I don't know if this helps you. It's hard to put a price on security for your child, but I do think you're paying a lot!
Hello-
I am a nanny (and a mom) and was hoping to maybe put a different spin on this. I currently work a 47.5 hour week watching an 8 month old. I make $90 per day, total $450 weekly. The hourly breakdown is $9 hour. That's along the lines of what everyone here is saying is fair. But that's the lowest hourly salary I have ever been paid for caring for children. I'll admit $17 hour is a bit much, but a great sitter is worth the cost. Yes times are tough, but knowing when you walk out the door that child will be safe, and happy and well taken care of makes it worthwhile. And keep in mind that unlike your job, the sitter doesn't get a "lunchbreak" where they can leave work for a little while and relax. If they are lucky, they can eat while the child naps. But they are still working. They can't just leave. My work days are long, and it can be frustrating, especially on days when the baby doesn't nap much. So I often don't get more than 15 mins here or there to eat or relax. On the flip side, as a mom, I can't imagine working just to pay for childcare. So that's why I was willing to accept less than my usual hourly salary. But like I said, great care may at times come at a higher price, and if I had to make the choice I would pay it. Because my child's safety and happiness come first. Hope this helps!
Where do you live? Unless your last name is Trump that is an outrageous hourly rate for a sitter. I agree that $8-12 per hour is more than acceptable. Shame on this sitter to drive 50 minutes...and you said college educated/smart, but not employed full time? ok then.
I agree with the others here sounds like you are paying way too much for babysitting...I think $10 per hour is enough or at least no more then $12. If you are interested in hosting a live in aupair I can help, this way you have flexible, affordable childcare in your home that you can rely on any time and your daughter would love it!! Let me know if you want more info. I work as a local Area Director for a large US aupair company AuPairCare, check us out online.www.aupaircare.com for prices etc.
I think you are paying too much. But you also have a person overqualified for the job. I take my son to a wonderful woman who has done childcare for 18 years both in nursery setting as well as in her home. The latter is what she does now. She will also come to your house but I prefer my son to be in a new setting. She charges 8 dollars an hour. I think up to $12 dollars an hour is reasonable depending on the circumstances and the needs of the child. We live in Morris County, NJ.
