how much to pay an 11 year old babysitter?

Question

My neighbor lady has a daughter who would be good for a few hours durning the day to watch my 9 month old. How much do I pay her? There would be some days where I would leave and run errands, go to a movie, etc... and other days where I just need someone to watch her while I clean the house. Any ideas? She is 11, and I am not sure if she has had any experience.

Answer 1

I would not leave a child that young alone with an eleven year unless they were CPR certified and licensed in first aid. Even at that, in a real emergency even adults panic.That is a state requirement in daycare centers, and there are just too many things that can happen to a baby, choking for one. Please look for another option when you would be leaving your home. As a mother's helper, I think it would be fine to which $5.00 should be paid.

Answer 2

First I would suggest that you have her babysit while you are in the home cleaning to get a feel for how she is around your child. Check your local state laws because as others have pointed out, she may not legally be allowed to be left home alone. I would also talk with the girl's parents as they may not want her to babysit or they might feel she's not mature enough.

Maybe you could work out an arrangement where if you have to leave your home, you can take your child to your neighbors house where the 11 year old will watch her, but there will still be the security of having the mother there in case of an emergency.

For days when you're around the house I would probably pay her $10. For days left alone, around $15-20 depending on how long you are gone.

Answer 3

You are thinking of letting an 11 yr. old watch your 9 month old, and you're not sure if she has experience? My younger sister is 12 yrs, but I would not be comfortable leaving my almost 3 yr. old with her. She has watched 2 kids a couple times (friends of family), ages 5 & 7. She got paid $3 an hour. She is just learning how to be responsible for older kids, I'm not sure she would be ok with younger. I may consider someone older for your child, I was about 14 when I was watching young kids like that, and I had experience with my younger siblings. If you do want to try her out, having her over while you clean house is a very good idea. That way she can get used to it and if there are any questions or problems you will be right there to help if needed. It would be a good start!

BTW - I agree with Lotus.

Answer 4

Really, I don't think I would leave my infant with an 11 year old.
In some states, a child 12 and under is not even supposed to be left alone without supervision let alone be a babysitter for other small children..!an 11 year old is too immature to be babysitting by herself.
If she is really mature for her age, maybe she could watch your baby at her house while her mother is home. But I would definately meet her parents and visit her home to talk about babyproofing.
Still I would be pretty leary of letting someone so young with NO experience watch my infant!
Maybe you could suggest to the girl to look into babysitter training in your community at places like Red Cross or a YWCA. They take training classes and graduate with a certificate of babysitting. This would be perfect for a young girl who wants to babysit but doesn't have any other small children in the family to 'practice' on.

Here is a link to the Red Cross program: http://www.redcross.org/services/hss/courses/babyindex.html

If you do decide to hire her - probably $3 per hour would be reasonable. Maybe $2 if she watches her while at her own home with her mother home.

Good Luck!

Answer 5

It really depends. And, if you are not sure if she's had any experience, maybe you should try to have her over for short periods of time at first to see how she handles babysitting. Have her come over and watch the baby while you are doing laundry, or simple tasks around the house. Then you can observe their interaction with your baby and see if you feel comfortable. If so, then you can start to venture away from the house....ie chores, the movies, etc. Does she have any siblings? You should set the price on how you feel that their performance is when babysitting and see if she'll give you a price too. Then you all can work from there. Since the babysitter will be dealing with a baby, I think you should compensate for that more. She is going to be changing diapers, feeding them, constantly playing with them, and showing them much more attention than if your baby was older! Just use your best judgement and instincts! Everything will be fine.

Answer 6

I wouldn't let an 11 year old watch my child without me in the house also. As a mother's helper, I think a kid that age would be great. Helping to keep the baby busy while you're cleaning or doing other things around the house is a job an 11 year old can handle. Trusting her with your daughter's safety while no one else home is different. As a mother's helper, I would think maybe $5 an hour. As for the actual babysitting... I would reconsider... or maybe only let her babysit at her house if her mother was going to be there also. Good luck!

Answer 7

She's 11 and has no experience and you are going to leave your 9 month old baby with her? No way! Baby sitters should have a CPR/First Aid certificate. What if the baby chokes or something? I wouldn't leave my baby with an 11 year old. My daughter is 11 and the most mature, level-headed kid I know, but I still wouldn't let her babysit. Just my opinion.

Answer 8

I would pay $8 an hour. I would hesitate to let an 11 year old watch my children depending on their maturity. I currently pay a 19 year old $12 an hour.

Answer 9

11 years old is not old enough to watch a 9 month old baby, with or without previous experience. How much experience can an 11 year old have at anything???

Answer 10

I don't know about what state you are in, but in California the legal age limit to be home alone is 12, Im not sure I would leave an 11 year old alone to babysit my 9 month old....that seems pretty dumb, being that she has no experience.