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While babysitting can be a fun and rewarding experience, it is important to remember that you are providing a service and should expect to be paid a reasonable fee for your efforts. The amount you charge for babysitting will depend on a variety of factors, from your age and experience to the area in which you live and the responsibilities of the job.
Pay Ranges & Factors That Affect Them
Pay rates-usually by the hour-range anywhere from $5.00 to $15.00. The best way to determine the going rate in your area is to ask around. Ask your friends what they are charging for babysitting, or you can talk to neighbors and parents about what they have paid. Keep in mind that if you are new to babysitting (especially if you're a young teenager), you should expect to be paid closer to the low end of the range for your neighborhood. As you gain more experience, you'll be able to charge a higher rate.
In addition, you might consider special courses or training. For example, the American Red Cross offers a babysitter's training course that covers all the basics of babysitting, including topics such as: first aid, choosing safe and age-appropriate toys and games, handling bedtime issues, and more. After taking the course, you'll receive a certificate of completion. Many parents appreciate this special training and might be willing to pay a higher rate for babysitters who have participated in it. Other training such as CPR and first aid can also provide you with special skills that may merit a higher rate for your babysitting services.
Additional factors that affect how much to charge include the hours of the job (fees for long hours or late nights may be higher), special dates such as New Year's Eve, and the number of children. Some babysitters charge an extra dollar or two per hour for each child, over and above their base rate for one child. Finally, keep in mind that extra responsibilities (such as preparing dinner or other household chores) usually result in extra charges. If you decide to charge extra for specific situations, be sure to include the information in the comments section of your BabySitters.com profile. Parents will appreciate having the information before contacting you.
Talking to the Parents
It is a good idea to discuss the subject of payment before accepting a babysitting job, to avoid any misunderstanding or embarrassment later. Bringing up the subject of money might feel a bit difficult or awkward at times. A good way to start the conversation is to tell the child's parents your usual fee, or you can say, "The hourly rate in this area is." Parents may tell you what they are willing to pay before you have a chance to state your fee, and if this happens, make sure you are comfortable with the amount they suggest; you can negotiate, if necessary, until you agree upon a rate that is satisfactory for everyone.
If you have a profile on BabySitters.com, you can include your typical hourly rate in the profile. This will ensure that the parents know your hourly rate before they decide to contact you.
You should also decide on a method of payment. You may ask ahead of time for the payment to be in cash, rather than by check. Usually, you can expect to be paid upon the parents' return, unless you work out another arrangement. For example, if you work for someone on a regular basis (e.g. several times a week), you might be paid at the end of the week or month, but this schedule should be arranged in advance.
Whatever you decide to charge, you may find that parents will sometimes pay extra for a job well-done. Some parents may offer a ""tip" or other bonus on occasion; whatever payment you receive, accept it graciously and warmly, and chances are, more babysitting jobs will be in your future! |