Several families, at one point or another, will probably end up using a baby sitter. The babysitter rates change based on number of factors, like whether you have your sibling watch over them or if you outsource. Let’s assume that you’re looking for a random baby sitter that you plan to pay a standard rate.

There is a significant difference between babysitters and nannies. One of the many differences is the price, since baby sitters are shorter term. A nanny is paid upwards of $8/hr for almost $400/week, but a baby sitter (standard pay) is around $15/hr. If you had a baby sitter as long as a nanny, you’d be paying astronomical rates. Also, baby sitters are only there for a few hours of supervision, rather than complete child care, like a second mother/father.

What you should pay your particular sitter depends on a few things. One thing you should pay them more for is if they’re watching several children instead of one. You should also change their pay based on how long they’ve been sitting, how old they are, and where they’ll be sitting. Location matters mostly because of the cost of living, not so much because of responsibility.

In some cases where parents needs a baby sitter on a consistent basis, the cost of a sitter can be changed by “contract”. That is to say that a baby sitter that is going to be around every week can be paid less because they’re being given guaranteed employment. Short term (or one-time sitters) will likely ask for more because they’re only getting paid once, which means less money for them (and overall cost for you).

Needing a baby sitter more often isn’t what makes them a nanny. Parental responsibility is what makes the difference between a nanny and a baby sitter (among other things). Baby sitters should only be there for your children in case something happens.

What you pay in babysitter rates can be affected greatly based on where you go, but there are a great deal of other factors. You might have special needs for a baby sitter that isn’t listed here, which could affect cost. As such, what you pay will just have to be discussed with whoever you hire, and their rate could change drastically.

Tags: , ,