Babysitter Rates: How Much To Pay

How much do you need to pay for a babysitting service? What is the average babysitter rate? These seems to be some of the most common questions asked these days. It is also a question that doesn’t have one definite answer. On the average, sitters are usually paid anywhere from $3-$12. This seems to be quite a wide bracket. This is only because there are several factors that determine the exact rate of pay.

Location

Different areas of location can have different rates. Urban areas in particular may have steeper rates than rural ones. You may be able to get an idea of rates in your particular area by looking for online average rates. You could also survey your neighbors on how much they would consider paying a sitter. If you have a particular preference for a sitter who lives far away, you may have to pay her extra due to transportation expenses.

Number of Kids

Another big determining factor for the rates is the number of kids. You can hardly expect a sitter to work for only $3 if she has to watch over three kids or more. Aside from the number of kids, you also have to consider the ages of the kids she has to look after. Younger kids and babies are naturally more difficult to watch over. They may be hard to discipline and they have many needs that require the babysitter’s attention. You would therefore have to pay a high rate if you have a toddler. You would have to pay an even higher rate if you have more than one toddler.

Sitter’s Age

The age of the sitter is also another factor which affects the rate. Teens aged 16-18 and adults would naturally have to be paid higher than younger sitters. Those who are in the 11-15 years old bracket may be contented with $3-$5 an hour. You need to be choosy though. You can’t just pick a young sitter just because she has a lower rate. You would really need an older teen or an adult sitter if you have lots of kids or if you have young kids that need minding. Young babysitters may not know how to handle small kids or respond to emergency situations.

Experience

Of course, you would have to adjust rates according to sitter experience. Those who have extensive experience would charge a lot. Those who have special first aid and emergency training would also want to receive more.

Work Details

These rates are only for the basic duties of babysitters. Often though, you would have to ask your sitter to perform a couple of extra tasks. You may have to pay extra if you expect her to cook for the kids or tutor them. Other work details that affect the rate include number of hours of work and specific hours of the day on duty. Night sitters may require high rates.

Specific Days on the Month

Some babysitters will charge more for particular days of the month. Expect to pay more for sitters who work on rest days, holidays and Sundays.

There are other factors that can affect the babysitter rate. What you have to really do to find your sitter’s exact rate is to talk to your sitter. Negotiate on a rate that both of you will find acceptable.

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Interview Tips to Help You Find Baby Sitter Applicants

You can find baby sitter applicants in a lot of places. A simple ad posted on a community board can attract potential sitters from all walks of life. The real trouble is in finding the baby sitter who is just right for your family. One way to discover a good sitter is to conduct a comprehensive interview with applicants. Here are some tips to help you conduct a good interview.

Make Her Comfortable

You may think it is only an interview. However, even if you are interviewing applicants, you need to be more than just a potential employer. Conduct your interviews in a nice part of your home that is neither too cozy nor too cold. Make sure she has a comfortable chair to sit on and there is nothing potentially irritating like sunlight, insects or noisy children. Taking the effort to make her feel at home is not just a form of courtesy. It is also an effective way of breaking down her guard. It is in these unguarded moments that you get to know more about people and their backgrounds.

Break the Ice

Keep the applicants at ease. One way is to start asking questions that are not threatening. Begin the interview by asking an applicant to tell you a little bit about herself. Ask her where she is from and if she has any younger siblings.

You can also ask her a little bit about her education and goals in life. These questions will get your applicant talking and will provide the starting point for more serious questions. You do have to keep in mind though that there are lines that should be drawn. Do not be too invasive about private matters.

Ask the Obvious

It is likely for you to find baby sitter applicants with resumes. Even so, you do have to ask questions about what is already obviously outlined in resumes. Ask her to expound about her previous baby sitting experiences. She may be able to reveal more about why she likes to baby sit and if she has learned anything from past experiences. This will help you find out if the applicant has interests that go beyond monetary rewards.

Ask Situational Questions

Most parents prefer to hire sitters who can react quickly to situations. In other words parents prefer applicants who know exactly what to do in any given situation. You can test how well an applicant can handle potential situations by asking her what she would do when these situations come up. You could ask her questions which you think are likely to happen especially with your child. If your child has an allergy for example, you can ask the applicant what she would do if your child suddenly had an allergy attack.

Be Observant

There are more ways than one to find out about a person. One other way is to observe non-verbal language. This is especially helpful if you want to find out if your applicant is telling the truth. Watch for signs of nervousness or uneasiness when you ask questions about her background and past experiences.

By now, you must know that it is not always easy to find baby sitter applicants who are actually good. Your search could take a lot of time but the task is not impossible if you know where and how to start.

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