I have two well-behaved kids ages 3 and 4 (who also play well together). A high school aged neighbor approached us about being a babysitter/mother’s helper. She has some babysitting experience with other families, but they’re farther away. This is in DC proper (ward 1 if it matters).
We’ll probably start off with mothers helper and then move to babysitting. How much per hour for each scenario? |
Minimum wage in DC is $17.50. I think $18-20/hour for a high schooler watching two kids is reasonable. If she's a ninth grader you can offer $15 and plan to go up a buck each year if she works out. |
OP here. How would you differentiate between mothers helper and babysitter? |
I wouldn't. But I think of mother's helper as a trial period (having the kid around while you're in the house, you can see if she's capable of running things for a few hours while you're gone). If you're thinking of mother's helper as a longer term arrangement, like you'll continue doing that 8 hours a week whether or not you ever use her as a babysitter, then maybe offer $14-15 for that and more for actual babysitting when and if you graduate to that. |
Casual babysitters are exempt from minimum wage in DC, and it's sort of absurd to invoke it in this situation.
OP, for a 14 or 15 year old, I'd pay $10/hour for a mother's helper (you are there) or $15 for babysitting when you are not there. I'd also round up any hours worked. I have a 14 year old kid and this also what I'd counsel them to "charge." |
You’re not getting a babysitter for $10/ hr. Going rate is around $20/hr. |
OP, do you actually need/want a babysitter or mother's helper? The way you phrased it, that she approached you, makes it sound like you are really only hiring her as a favor. |
My differentiation:
Mother’s helper - you are around the entire time. They are tasked either with entertaining the kids or a specific task (folding laundry, going through toys, etc.). You handle all tantrums, fights between kids, meals, etc. They can maybe change an easy diaper but not a blow out. Basically any of the harder “caretaking” tasks go to you. $10-$15/hr. Babysitter - you aren’t there, so they are handling everything that arises from safety to meals to using good judgment. $20/hr minimum. |
$10 |
A "mother's helper," is between age 10-12 and does not babysit and pay is $10. Generally they play with children while the mother does what she needs to do but mother is always there. A high school student is too old for a mother's helper. I don't think you need to worry about minimum wage for a neighborhood babysitter with minimal experience. |
+1 |