Finding the right after school child care can bring tremendous relief to busy parents. Understanding the financial aspects of after school care can help you make informed decisions and find the perfect solution that fits your budget. In this article, we’ll delve into after school child care costs and provide valuable tips to guide your search.
How much does after school child care cost?
When it comes to the cost of after school childcare, a set of key factors can help determine what to expect. It’s important to consider aspects such as location, job responsibilities, transportation costs, skills and experience, additional expenses, and special needs to make an informed decision. By considering these factors, you can establish fair and competitive rates for after-school childcare that align with your specific circumstances.
At UrbanSitter, we’ve tracked average babysitting rates nationwide for over a decade. By analyzing tens of thousands of babysitting jobs in 2023, we’ve compiled a comprehensive reference guide for families and babysitters alike. To discover your city’s most recent rates for after-school care, refer to the chart below.
Average After-School Sitter Rates by U.S. City
| Area/U.S. City | Average Hourly Rate | Weekly Rate (Based on 15 Hours) |
| National | $22.68 | $340.20 |
| Atlanta, GA | $21.14 | $317.10 |
| Austin, TX | $22.81 | $342.15 |
| Boston, MA | $21.67 | $325.05 |
| Charlotte, NC | $17.27 | $259.05 |
| Chicago, IL | $19.91 | $298.65 |
| Cleveland, OH | $19.20 | $288.00 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $16.27 | $244.05 |
| Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX | $18.82 | $282.30 |
| Denver, CO | $19.81 | $297.15 |
| Detroit, MI | $19.73 | $295.95 |
| Honolulu, HI | $19.99 | $299.85 |
| Houston, TX | $17.84 | $267.60 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $19.34 | $290.10 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $22.74 | $341.10 |
| Miami, FL | $19.33 | $289.95 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $18.53 | $277.95 |
| Nashville, TN | $18.39 | $275.85 |
| New York City, NY | $22.18 | $332.70 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $12.76 | $191.40 |
| Orlando, FL | $19.51 | $292.65 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $18.03 | $270.45 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $17.61 | $264.15 |
| Portland, OR | $20.94 | $314.10 |
| Raleigh/Durham, NC | $18.02 | $270.30 |
| Reno, NV | $23.23 | $348.45 |
| Richmond, VA | $17.02 | $255.30 |
| Sacramento, CA | $20.24 | $303.60 |
| San Antonio, TX | $17.97 | $269.55 |
| San Diego, CA | $21.58 | $323.70 |
| San Francisco, CA | $25.24 | $378.60 |
| Seattle, WA | $24.60 | $369.00 |
| Springfield, MO | $11.35 | $170.25 |
| Washington, DC | $20.91 | $313.65 |
How to secure your after-school sitter
We surveyed 500 sitters looking for an after-school job to find out what would influence them to take the after-school nanny job and what hourly rate they’d expect. Based on their feedback, here are 5 tips to help you secure your after-school child care.
Related: After School Babysitter Guide for Parents
1. Provide a Gas Allowance
High gas prices are top of mind for sitters using their own car for school pick-ups. With 69% influenced by an allowance for gas, this is definitely a factor sitters consider when determining if the job is a fit for them.
2. Guarantee Weekly Hours
To make an after-school job worthwhile, a majority of sitters (66%) want guaranteed hours each week. 50% prefer 10-20 hours per week and 24% between 20-25 hours per week.
3. Consider a Flexible Schedule
If your family’s schedule allows it, offering a flexible schedule is highly sought after and would influence 64% of sitters to say yes to an after-school job offer. One option for flexibility is allowing the sitter to choose which days of the week they work (M-W-F or Tu-Th-F) or certain days they stay later and others they don’t.
4. Pay a Competitive After-School Babysitter Rate
One of the top questions is, “How much should you pay an after school sitter in 2023?” The ideal hourly after school babysitter rate is around $22 per hour—that’s about $330 per week based on 15 hours. With that said, there is variability by city and region. San Francisco is the most expensive city per hour at $25.24/hr. The least expensive city is Springfield, MO at $11.35/hr. To attract the right sitter for pick-ups and after school, ensure you offer your city a competitive babysitter hourly rate.
If you’re looking for an alternative to an hourly rate, according to our survey, 49% of sitters offer flat rates. Flat rates are usually provided by the day, with 51% stating they offer daily rates, 26% offer weekly flat rates, and 12% offer monthly flat rates.
5. Include Other Perks
Including a few other perks in the job, such as offering a car service when the sitter works late, is another popular deal sweetener. Easy parking and convenient location are also ranked highly for sitters.
Set yourself up for success in finding after-school care
Communication is essential in hiring an after school sitter. Communicate if you have flexibility in the hours for the position. If the sitter drives the kids in their car, communicate about an added gas allowance. Estimating how many hours a week or month you’ll need is also helpful. UrbanSitter makes sharing all these details in a job post easy. You’re sure to find the perfect person to provide after school care if you follow these helpful tips and pay a competitive hourly after school care rate.
