How much should I pay?

Question

My neighbor is going to be looking after my daughter a few hours per week (she's 3), and I want to know what's appropriate to pay her per hour.
She's a lady who's already retired, and looking after her own grandchild at the same time. I'd be paying her in cash. What would be an appropriate rate?

I live in Canada, if that matters.

I think full-time day care is around $900-$1000 per month where I live, but that's full-time care 5 days per week.
I just need about 8-10 hours per week.

Answer 1

If she will be watching your daughter for 4 or less hours pay her no less than $20 dollars, if longer pay her $ 3.50 to 4.50 per hour.

Answer 2

Every area has different payment schedules. If this lady is retired and on a fixed income I'm sure she will be glad to have the extra cash and the company.

Just talk to her about it. Tell her you want to pay her what is fair. Talk with other mothers and see what they are paying or look at our local newspaper for child care ads and see if you can find an average going rate.

Answer 3

I got $3.50 an hour for baby sitting back about 15 years ago. Maybe you should talk to her about how much, i would think $10 would be plenty.

Answer 4

what country are you in?... how much would you pay at child care?? I would suggest I little less then that since she probably wont be paying tax on it .. if in the uk I would say 5£ an hour

Answer 5

Ten dollars per hour sounds reasonable to me.

Answer 6

i would pay her $50 - $100 per week

Answer 7

I would ask around the neighborhood, and ask the lady how much she charges.

Answer 8

ask her... $5 hr may be enough

Answer 9

$2.00/hr