https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 29 May 2026 16:18:01 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-hiring-a-non-family-babysitter#post-2387373 Mon, 14 Dec 2015 06:45:32 +0000 lady grey 2387373@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, definitely ask for references and work experience! Pay rate definitely depends on your area, but probably $10-$15. You could ask for her email address so you can contact her that way to ask for references, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-hiring-a-non-family-babysitter#post-2387363 Mon, 14 Dec 2015 02:50:11 +0000 lamariniere 2387363@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>With the info you gave and what you know about her, I would probably be content with that and not require additional references. I would just ask her what she charges, it seems to vary widely by region. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-hiring-a-non-family-babysitter#post-2387317 Sun, 13 Dec 2015 23:19:15 +0000 regberadaisy 2387317@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We just had a non family member watch the girls for the first time and they're 3.5 and 15m so I am definitely a little cautious. It was their daycare teacher who we've "known" for almost 2 years. If it were me I would ask for references, non family members.</p> <p>We paid $10/hr for both girls. We just asked her what she charged. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-hiring-a-non-family-babysitter#post-2387280 Sun, 13 Dec 2015 21:25:48 +0000 Mrs.KMM 2387280@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Honestly, I probably wouldn't do anything else before hiring her. You've already seen that she's good with kids and you know what she has had to do to have her current job so I would feel perfectly comfortable with that. If anything, maybe I would ask for a couple references but I don't see myself actually calling them. But I tend to be pretty easy-going about that kind of thing! Probably because no one ever did anything special or asked me for references or anything when I babysat as a kid. And I babysat a ton! </p> <p>We pay the couple of girls who have watched DD $10 an hour. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-hiring-a-non-family-babysitter#post-2387261 Sun, 13 Dec 2015 20:56:17 +0000 Astro Bee 2387261@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We've had an offer to babysit from one of the swim instructors at LO's swim lessons. It's not his instructor, but the instructor of the adjacent class. She absolutely looooves him and comes over at the end of every class to play with him. She's really nice, and both DH and I like her.</p> <p>She's around 20, and a college student. She says she's done lots of babysitting before (I'm not sure if it's mostly been for family or not), and is clearly really good with children, including small babies. LO is only 8 months old, and he laughs at and reaches for her every week. As part of her job, she would have had to pass a background check, and be current in first aid. So she seems like she'd be a really good fit.</p> <p>My question is, what should we do in preparation for her babysitting, in terms of asking for references, etc.? Also, how much would you pay per hour? Any other tips? We've only ever had my parents watch him, whenever they've been visiting. </p>