After school babysitter rates?

[Anonymous]

I'm anticipating need to hire an after school babysitter 3-5 days a week (3:30-6:00) in the near future for my 10-year old daughter, mainly to transport her to her various activities. There would be no other responsibilities other than driving her places and making sure she gets her homework done. This is the first experience I will have with hiring a regular sitter and just wondering what the going rate is for this type of care? TIA

[Anonymous]

It's hard to find someone reliable for that slot. I offered $22/hr for my one child and was still not able to find someone. Hope you have better luck!

[Anonymous]

Would this sitter need to have her own car to drive your daughter in, or are you providing the car?

Because the hours are so short and limited, you will have to offer a higher rate to make it worth someone's time. Also, you will want to guarantee the hours--so even if it's school break or your daughter is sick and won't be needing the sitter, you should still pay her.

Since pp was unable to get anyone at $22/hr, you might want to consider offering $23-25/hr and see what candidates bite.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Yes, I would need the sitter to have their own car. I understand it is limited hours, but wondering if this is a job that would typically be sought after by a college student (I live really close to AU). I also understand college sitter's schedules change constantly so there is not a lot of stability. Right now just looking for someone to help finish out the school year, and if they can't stay on I will deal with summer and next school year separately. If anyone uses a college student for his purpose, how much do you pay them?

[Anonymous]

Just pay $20 or $25 an hour - the issue is more finding someone - if you find someone, agree to pay what they ask.

[Anonymous]

Pay someone good like $500 a week in cash. You might have luck with a college student who will commit 2-4 years.

[Anonymous]

Perhaps OP you can find another parent who also has a child attending the same school.

Or a retired person looking to make some extra cash.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for the feedback. I will likely only need this person for about 12 hours/week tops. $500/week is a little steep for that. I'm fine with $20-25/hour...was just wondering what the going rate is for this. Seems like that's what it is. PP is right that the issue is actually finding someone available/willing to work these limited hours.

[Anonymous]

Pay a lot (at least 25) and pay in cash every week. That is the only way to get and keep a good babysitter.

[Anonymous]

Op if you nickel and dime this you will be looking for someone every six months guaranteed. I am not sure you want that. And also the issue isn't finding people with the time slot....it is finding a person who can do it and pay her bills without juggling a second and third job. I was an after school sitter and was paid $500 a week for 15 hours. Besides childcare, I handled laundry for the little girl. I really loved it but family brought in grandma later to help so I had to go. Also since you require driving you don't want too old a person or an inexperienced high school driver IMO.

[Anonymous]

Out of curiosity, OP, what did you think would be the going rate? It seems like you think $20+/hr is too high.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op if you nickel and dime this you will be looking for someone every six months guaranteed. I am not sure you want that. And also the issue isn't finding people with the time slot....it is finding a person who can do it and pay her bills without juggling a second and third job. I was an after school sitter and was paid $500 a week for 15 hours. Besides childcare, I handled laundry for the little girl. I really loved it but family brought in grandma later to help so I had to go. Also since you require driving you don't want too old a person or an inexperienced high school driver IMO.

I'm not sure why you are implying I'm going to nickel and dime this. I am simply asking what the average going rate is since I know it varies and I'm trying to get a good sense of the norm. That is why I posted here. I have had the luxury of working from home since my daughter was born and have not needed a regular sitter, so I am a little new to this. You are right, I don't want someone inexperienced to be driving her, which is why I'm not posting on my neighborhood listserv for a high school student. I was thinking a college student with a car might be ideal. You were very lucky to get paid $500/week for 15 hours of work. I was not expecting that the person I hire would be completely supporting themselves on this job alone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op if you nickel and dime this you will be looking for someone every six months guaranteed. I am not sure you want that. And also the issue isn't finding people with the time slot....it is finding a person who can do it and pay her bills without juggling a second and third job. I was an after school sitter and was paid $500 a week for 15 hours. Besides childcare, I handled laundry for the little girl. I really loved it but family brought in grandma later to help so I had to go. Also since you require driving you don't want too old a person or an inexperienced high school driver IMO.

I'm not sure why you are implying I'm going to nickel and dime this. I am simply asking what the average going rate is since I know it varies and I'm trying to get a good sense of the norm. That is why I posted here. I have had the luxury of working from home since my daughter was born and have not needed a regular sitter, so I am a little new to this. You are right, I don't want someone inexperienced to be driving her, which is why I'm not posting on my neighborhood listserv for a high school student. I was thinking a college student with a car might be ideal. You were very lucky to get paid $500/week for 15 hours of work. I was not expecting that the person I hire would be completely supporting themselves on this job alone.

So you're looking for a college student whose parents are paying her bulk expenses (tuition, room and board, CAR) and is just looking for a little extra spending money by working a few hours a week? That's great--but if this student doesn't NEED the money, how likely is she to bail on this part time job when something more important comes up? Mid-terms, finals, spring break, etc. You have to make it worth this person's time to forgo those other things and come work for you.

[Anonymous]

OP, just sign up for Care.com.
On here you will obviously be berated for wanting to employ someone part-time.

[Anonymous]

I'm not available until summer. I charge $25 an hour for before and after school care. Anything less isn't worth it to me.