If you have hired a college student for babysitting help over the summer, please advise

[Anonymous]

I am hoping to hire a PT babysitter this summer for 10-15 hours a week for about four weeks (mid July to early August). I figured a college kid (or very mature high school student) is my best bet. Has anyone done this before? If so:

What the going rate? Better yet, what's a *good* rate?
Is this realistic? Will it be impossible to find?
Should I start advertising and putting feelers out to friends with college-age kids now or wait until closer to the time I need someone? Since it's a pretty short-term gig, it seemed silly to try and line it up too far in advance, but now that it's June, I feel like I should start looking into it.

TIA!

[Anonymous]

How many kids and what ages? Where are you?

Close in Silver Spring I paid $15/hr for two young elem kids.

[Anonymous]

My daughter (a college student) has a gig like that. She and the family found each other through a local FB group. I think you should start asking around, you never know who is looking. My understanding is that this summer there were fewer internships up for grabs, the touristy stuff has not fully recovered, and the traveling abroad is limited, so there are less traditional opportunities for college kids.

[Anonymous]

OP here. One kid, age 4. She's generally a pretty easy kid but probably a bit more work than an elementary age kid. We are in NE DC.

I'm envisioning that they would probably spend most of the time outside (we have a bunch of close by parks and playgrounds, including one right across the street) except when it rains or is too hot. I can probably even do most of the legwork on packing snacks and planning indoor activities when necessary (unless the sitter wants to) to make it easier. I'd be around but very much out of their hair -- probably just work in my office with the door closed unless they needed me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter (a college student) has a gig like that. She and the family found each other through a local FB group. I think you should start asking around, you never know who is looking. My understanding is that this summer there were fewer internships up for grabs, the touristy stuff has not fully recovered, and the traveling abroad is limited, so there are less traditional opportunities for college kids.

This is good to know and gives me hope! I know it can be hard to find part time help sometimes.

[Anonymous]

I have two college kids (one will be a senior in the fall, the other a sophmore.)

I think most college kids will want something not only with more hours per week, but also with a longer duration (closer to the whole summer, not just a few weeks.)

I think you'll have better luck targeting the high school kids. College students are already out for the summer and will start going back to campus in early-mid August (varies a bit by college) so they would be working for you at the tail end of their break.

[Anonymous]

Post on your local NextDoor

[Anonymous]

NextDoor and friend network. Look for a high school student. Bonus is is you all like each other you’ll then have a potential babysitter for date nights, etc. during the school year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. One kid, age 4. She's generally a pretty easy kid but probably a bit more work than an elementary age kid. We are in NE DC.

I'm envisioning that they would probably spend most of the time outside (we have a bunch of close by parks and playgrounds, including one right across the street) except when it rains or is too hot. I can probably even do most of the legwork on packing snacks and planning indoor activities when necessary (unless the sitter wants to) to make it easier. I'd be around but very much out of their hair -- probably just work in my office with the door closed unless they needed me.

I'd get an idea from local high school parents about what their kids are charging for sitting. Then, right an advertisement asap and hire for the whole summer. Use the hours during the extra weeks to do errands or other things.

It's so hard to find someone PT. You want to find someone reliable, which means you need to provide a consistent schedule that is long enough to be worthwhile.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am hoping to hire a PT babysitter this summer for 10-15 hours a week for about four weeks (mid July to early August). I figured a college kid (or very mature high school student) is my best bet. Has anyone done this before? If so:

What the going rate? Better yet, what's a *good* rate?
Is this realistic? Will it be impossible to find?
Should I start advertising and putting feelers out to friends with college-age kids now or wait until closer to the time I need someone? Since it's a pretty short-term gig, it seemed silly to try and line it up too far in advance, but now that it's June, I feel like I should start looking into it.

TIA!

My daughter was paid $20/hr her freshman and sophomore year and in her junior and senior and is paid $25/hr with a four hour minimum each day. She has no difficulty finding jobs. She does no housework or laundry but prepares lunch and cleans up after..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am hoping to hire a PT babysitter this summer for 10-15 hours a week for about four weeks (mid July to early August). I figured a college kid (or very mature high school student) is my best bet. Has anyone done this before? If so:

What the going rate? Better yet, what's a *good* rate?
Is this realistic? Will it be impossible to find?
Should I start advertising and putting feelers out to friends with college-age kids now or wait until closer to the time I need someone? Since it's a pretty short-term gig, it seemed silly to try and line it up too far in advance, but now that it's June, I feel like I should start looking into it.

TIA!

My daughter was paid $20/hr her freshman and sophomore year and in her junior and senior and is paid $25/hr with a four hour minimum each day. She has no difficulty finding jobs. She does no housework or laundry but prepares lunch and cleans up after..

Where is the best place to find someone? Having no luck by asking around.

[Anonymous]

Try Care.com. You enter your specifications and care providers will reach out to you if it fits their needs as well.

[Anonymous]

Download the Nextdoor app and join the DC parents group. A bunch of college students post looking for a babysitting gigs. You can also make your own post and ask locals to refer someone.