It is a good idea to discuss the subject of payment before hiring a new sitter. You can start by asking how much he or she charges or by indicating what you are willing to pay, negotiating if necessary until you reach an amount that is satisfactory to both of you. You should also agree on a method of payment. Younger teens often prefer to be paid in cash, while older babysitters might accept checks. If you do agree to pay cash, make sure to have enough on hand so that you can pay the babysitter when you return home. Regular babysitting arrangements (e.g. several times a week) might be paid at the end of the week or month.
Pay Ranges & Factors that Affect Them
Hourly ranges of pay for babysitters quoted in current sources run anywhere from $5.00 to $15.00. The best way to determine the going rate in your neighborhood is to ask around. Talk to other parents in your community about what they have paid. Babysitters often set their own rates and will communicate this to you when you talk to them about a potential job and in their BabySitters.com profile. You can also talk to a babysitter's references and find out how much they have paid the sitter.
Other things to consider are the responsibilities the job includes. "Watching a 7-year-old who is content to sit and read a book or play on her own for a few hours is different than caring for a brood of three, fixing dinner, bathing them and sending them off to bed," writes Jennifer Vogelsong in a recent newspaper article. Consider your children's specific needs and personalities and whether you want the babysitter to do certain activities or household tasks. Finally, you may want to take into account other factors such as the hours of the babysitting job (fees for long hours or late nights are often higher), or special dates like New Year's Eve.
