how much would you pay a 14 year old babysitter?

Question

i dont have alot of experience but im extrememly responsible and i could cook for them and do other things like that,
im starting to put up flyers around my neighborhood but how much should i charge per hour?

i live in san diego

well i do have some experience, i managed to take care of a 3 month old baby for a week and at the age of 5 i worked at a daycare for babies, and i babysit my cousins children all the time but i have never charged money before because my cousin doesnt have enough money to pay me and i volunteered at the baby day care

oh and last summer i volunteered for headstart, a preschool, and it was quite challenging because i was the only one who couldnt speak spanish, (all the children are mexican)

and yes i actually do know how to cook, i make dinner for my family of 4 every single night, so i wont burn the house down or anything, ive been cooking for 7 years

again, i said i was responsible, im not going to eat all the food and have my friends over, im not stupid

Answer 1

4 to 5 dollars an hour

Answer 2

First off, I'd take a first aid and CPR course and then you'd be CPR certified. Check the local Red Cross or hospitals, I know many organizations have training for sitters. Then you need to understand that you are there to watch the children first and foremost. Do not clean the house, talk on the phone, visit with friends who come by etc. Watching children means exactly that. Never leave them alone for any reason. If they are in bed, check on them at least every 1/2 hour.

Now for the pay, I would say that you should get at least $6 an hour starting pay. This is going to be only once in awhile pay and when people know that you are responsible and trust worthy then you can think about price increases.

No one wants their things snooped through or all the food gone. Try to be very respectful of the house and remember again, the children are your first priority. If you remember these things, business will pick up very quickly.

Good luck!

Answer 3

I would put reasonable rates. I did some babysitting where I got paid $1.75 for the first hour and $.75 for ever hour after that. I didn't babysit for them long. I also baby sat for a family that paid me $5/hr, but in that family both parents were doctors. I think a good price is around $4/hr, but be flexible. If the children are difficult charge a little more if they are easy then charge a little less. I have paid babysitters to watch my own kids between $2.50 and $5/hr. Good luck.

Answer 4

It all depends on how much they are willing to pay. I say start off with $5 per hour for the first kid. Each additional kid would mean an extra dollar. (2 kids=$6, 3 kids=$7....) If your neighborhood is more affluent then raise the price, if not keep it at this rate. But also consider the fact that you don't have that much experience. After about a year's worth of babysitting you might want to consider raising your prices. Hope this helped! Good Luck and Have Fun! ~Jo

Answer 5

Based on your age, I would pay $5-$6/hr. I'm in the Washington DC area, also an urban.
I would pay less for less experience ($5), but more if the sitter had taken the child care courses available (there are babysitter classes for kids, and of course first aid/CPR would be excellent.) For those qualifications, I might go up to $6/hr for a 14-year old.
Hope this helps!

Answer 6

Well seeing how you would be babysitting two kids I would ask somewhere around 12 or 15 dollars per hour but that's all depending on if you would rather be paid per hour or just getting a flat fee like 30 dollars for 4 hours and then after that just add 5 dollars to the hour.

Answer 7

Do you have any friends that babysit? I'd think in San Diego the rates would be higher than $4-5 per hour. That's what I pay my sitter here in the midwest...small town. Especially if your going to cook (mine don't).

Could you ask some of your mom's friends how much they pay - or would pay?

Answer 8

WOW!!!!! you are 14 and you can do all of this? I'd love to have one of my kids as great as you are. If you can get the schools and daycares to write you up some credentials then you should be charging $7.00/hr. this is a very serious job even if people dont realize it. TRUST is a big issue and this is why you need sources to back you up. On your fliers put that you have references. good luck and try to save some of the $. you sound like you have your head on straight!!!!!

Answer 9

I charge depending on how old the child is. an infant need to be fed, its diapers needs to be changed, needs to be put down for a nap ect.. I would probably charge more for that then if i were babysitting a 7yr old who really just needs some one to watch after them and play with them. Also how many children they have.

Answer 10

Rates will vary by neighbourhood, age & number of kids.
Don't put a rate on the flyers, negotiate each time.
You should ask your friends what they are getting.
You're a bit young to be cooking, but you could re-heat & feed.