What is the average rates for a babysitter in charge of one child?

Question

I was asked to come up with an hourly rate for one child, and one for two children. I was thinking that 5 an hour for one child and 6 for two, because the one child I was asked to watch is a little difficult, and the two I was asked for are excellently behaved, so it would work out 3 an hour for each kid per hour. What does anyone think of this? What normal rates do you pay? What do you normally ask of parents per hour?

I am not an adult, but a babysitter and I thought 5 an hour was reasonable, but when I told the mother that she acted like it was too much. Also, it may be a full time deal in the summer, so do I need to reduce those prices, the times,I believe ,are 8-3

Answer 1

For 8 hours a day 5 days a week thats $240 a week!!!!! That is way to much, especially for a teenager to watch children. A day car would be cheaper and more efficient. $1 an hour per child would be $80 dollars a week. Still pricey but more affordable!!!

I'm thankful I have parents, inlaws, and siblings to baby sit for free!!!

Answer 2

"k_ahhhhhs: $5 an hour for one child? Is that what you mean? Licensed day care providers only average about $2.50 an hour per child. And for babies they make a little more. You are seriously out of line for asking so much. I bet you don't even have children or pay the electric bill or car insurance or buy groceries or .... you get the idea. Don't be stupid, get informed. I would never ask anything of a babysitter who pitched me this price."

Not to be rude but, I think your answer is out of line. I don't like the attitude you have, "don't be stupid, get informed" She is trying to get informed by asking for help and you just called her stupid, how would you feel if I called you stupid for saying that 5 dollars is too much?


With that said, I think that 5 dollars is perfectly fine for one child and 6 dollars for two children. Is 8 to 3 now and in the summer or just in the summer? Are the children in school and your just watching them after school now? How old are the children? do you have to change diapers? Can they tell you what they want to eat for breakfast, lunch or dinner? All of those things need to be taken into consideration for babysitting. When I babysat my 2 and 4 year old cousins who are now 5 and almost 7. I was given 20 dollars a day, I had to change the 2 year olds diaper, I had to feed them, I kept the house clean, toys picked up, did the dishes, vaccummed etc. Are you going to do that with these kids? When I babsat I had a box I bought with a bunch of activities for the kids to do, that also was part of my pay, I used the money to buy more activities. Also my cousin highlighted my hair when she couldn't pay me, she is trying to become a beautician. So you can ask for a daily rate of 10 dollars or maybe there is something that the mother can do for you in return instead of cash? Just some thoughts.

Answer 3

I do not think that 5 dollars an hour is unreasonable. Six dollars for two children is excellent. I think you should charge 8 dollars for two. Giving a four dollar discount for the second child does not sound reasonable. It is going to add a great deal more work for you. I have four children and I would pay 5 dollars an hour per child! I would challenge the other lady do find a drop-in daycare that would charge less than five an hour per child. I take my children to a Friday Fun night at my local gymnasium. They love it, but it costs 10 dollars for two hours with no discount for multiple children. I pay 40 dollars for two hours of free time. I think it is worth it. If you are fun and nice to the children, 10 dollars an hour for the two children would still be very reasonable.

Answer 4

Check with others that babysit in your area and try to find a comeptitive rate. Call day care centers and find out what their rate is then divide it to find the hourly rate then drop below that amount since you are not a professional service. Make up an information sheet for your clients that let them know your skills, like cpr first aid, trainings in baby sitting, games and activities you will paly, etc. the more you have to market the more you can get away with charging for your services. If you do not have any of these trainings then check with the Red Cross or the YMCA and take the classes, they are worth it in the end because you can make more money when you are trained. but to answer your question, I think $5 an hour is good, but thats compared to my area, my 18 yr old daughter usually gets up to $10 an hour for multiple kids, but sometimes if the family cant really afford it she takes what they offer. She is trained in a lot of courses too and works in a day care center.

Answer 5

Coming from a mother, I think you are right on to ask for at least five dollars per hour. Keeping kids is not easy! Also, I have two kids, and I pay five per hour per child! Yes, it may seem like a lot to a parent, but if what they need to do is that important to them, they will have to cough it up! Good luck.

Answer 6

I pay 80 bucks a week for 40 hours of daycare. that's only 2 dollars an hour for a certified daycare. 5 an hour for one is a bit much. i would say 2-3 per kid is reasonable. some parent will give you a little extra if the kids like you and you babysit regularly for them.

Answer 7

I think $5.00 is very fair for an hourly rate. Children can be tiring so it is like a full time job. Most retail stores pay $5.00 an hour to deal with the public.

Answer 8

I wish I could find a sitter near me that would only charge $5 - $6 an hour. Every sitter I've had to pay in the dallas area charges me $10 - $12 an hour. You have a very fair price.

Answer 9

You should charge $5.00 an hour per child that you babysit. This is a great amount! The money you make could be put towards things you want and need. Imagine how much money you can make a month. Do the mathematics.

Answer 10

i have 2 children myself ...and $5 and hour is NOT unreasonable...the going rate these days is $5 an hour for 1 child and add another $2 and hour for every additional child. This a perfectly normal rate....Child care is not cheap...