As you prepare to hire a babysitter, the important question of pricing may be looming in the back of your mind. While this is not a service that you want to cut corners on or skimp on, you also do not want to pay more than you need to for quality childcare services. As you decide how much money to offer your babysitter, keep these important factors in mind.
Babysitting rates vary dramatically based on several factors. These include the experience of the babysitter and his or her credentials. Consider that a professional nanny with a lengthy list of references may understandably charge more than a teenage babysitter who picks up odd jobs on the weekends. Your location will also play a role in the rate for childcare services. The minimum wage in your area should serve as a starting point when setting a threshold. The demand for babysitters, your need for special services, the number of children who will be cared for, the children’s ages and many other factors all must be taken into consideration.
There is a difference in the process of hiring a full-time vs. part-time babysitter. Full-time typically means being salaried with paid time off, holidays, etc, written in a contract, while part-time is normally paid out hourly but with set days/times. So be sure you know the minimum wage laws, but also do your research to know what the average rates in your area are for full-time nannies. If you are looking for one-time or part-time care, a slightly lower hourly rate may be reasonable.
The National Average for 2019
The average hourly rate for one child is $16.75 in the U.S. for 2019. The national average for two children is $19.26 per hour. Additional children will raise the average rate further. Before you decide how much to pay for childcare services, consider asking your friends and neighbors how much they pay for their preferred babysitter. By polling several parents and making adjustments for the various relevant factors, you can better determine how much you should pay for the services that you need.
Many babysitters and nannies have a minimum rate that they are willing to work for. While you should research local rates, you also should ask the individuals whom you are interested in hiring what they charge. Through your research, you can determine if their requested rate is reasonable for your needs and for the area.
We surveyed over 20,000 families from all across the country to get the scoop on what parents are willing to pay for—and what they’re willing to pay extra for—when it comes to childcare in 2017!
Ever wonder how much other families pay their babysitter or nanny? UrbanSitter gathered the answer from over 10,000 families to find out average babysitting rates in the US. Take look and see what the going rate is for a babysitter in your area!
You got the kids back to school and the family back into a school-time routine. Now it’s time to think about a little R & R time away from it all.
Whether you make it a romantic weekend, a girls’ or guys’ trip, or you go solo, this is the perfect time of year to take advantage of a few days away.
The kids will survive without you for a weekend – UrbanSitter can take care of that with babysitters available for overnights – and you’ll return refreshed and ready to jump back into family life.
Where to go? We’ve done the work so you don’t have to spend hours scouring the Web for ideas. Take our word for it. These top spots come highly recommended as ideal get-away spots this fall.
Go ahead, book it… and let us know how it went!
In the NYC Area:
It’s all about fall foliage this time of year. Just a bit more than a two-hour drive from NYC is the Lodge at Woodloch, an adults-only, all-inclusive, luxury spa nestled among the trees in the Poconos.
The resort has a gorgeous spa and offers a multitude of classes, including Mind & Body, water therapies, fitness, and something they call Creative Discovery work (think watercolor painting, drawing, drumming and cooking classes). You can also golf, go horseback riding, hike, and bike or kayak on the spectacular property or just outside of it.
Dining certainly hasn’t been overlooked here. Their TREE Restaurant offers fine, gourmet dining with some of the food grown right on the property at its own Farm-To-Table Garden.
And check out this very nice extra touch – The hotel offers door-to-door transportation in a chauffeured, luxury sedan for guests coming from Manhattan and staying a minimum of two nights. Check out their website for details and a promo code.
In the San Francisco Area:
You can never go wrong with a Napa/Sonoma weekend escape, especially this time of year, but why not try something new? And it might just be right in your own back yard – Tiburon. Regardless of where you live in the Bay Area, Tiburon, in Marin County, isn’t far. Stay at the Lodge at Tiburon. It’s recently been remodeled, and makes for a perfect home base for enjoying the area.
You can really get away from it all, hiding in a cabana at the property’s secluded pool. And there’s no need to break the Zen by dealing with your car. Park it when you arrive and never have to use it again. Everything you need is within walking distance.
Have drinks at Sam’s on the water or dine at one of the town’s many fabulous restaurants. If you yearn for a bit of Big City, jump on the ferry and head to San Francisco for a day trip, a bit of shopping or dinner.
In the Los Angeles Area:
A quick trip to the desert to revive, recharge and reconnect is in order. Only a two-hour drive from LA is The Hope Springs Resort in Desert Hot Springs.
This boutique resort is tiny – only 10 rooms (so book fast!) – and all about its gorgeous views and three, stress-zapping mineral water pools. The property is very minimalist, a bit retro and very serene.
When not hanging poolside or enjoying a hike on one of the many desert trails, head to the Casino Restaurant at the nearby Two Bunch Palms Resort and Spa. They offer a tasty tapas menu that’s perfect for a late afternoon bite to eat in a beautiful setting.
In the Chicago Area:
For an easy pace, head to Galena, Illinois, about 160 miles outside of Chicago. The historic town is known for its beautiful B&Bs, antique shopping, and very quaint atmosphere on the Mississippi River. It’s so pretty that it’s often touted as the only place in the Midwest to consistently appear near the top of every “beautiful places” list in the US.
Our favorite lodging picks are the Farmer’s Guest House, a charming country inn; and the Cloran Mansion, a larger, luxury bed and breakfast with a European feel. Stays at both include generous, award-winning breakfasts .
When not strolling around the restored Main Street or indulging in a big country breakfast, check out the art galleries scattered around the area. You can also try a wine tasting at Galena Cellars Winery and Vineyard or if you’re a history buff, visit the Ulysses Grant House, one of several historic sites in the region.
Looking for something a little more active, bring a bike and explore one of the many bike and hiking trails in the beautiful countryside.
In the San Diego Area:
For wine tasting and a lovely, romantic getaway without having to make a trip all the way up to Napa, head just 45 minutes outside of San Diego to Temecula Valley. The area has more than 35 wineries and a historic town with antique stores, hotels, specialty food shops, boutiques, and antique dealers.
But, really it’s about the wine tasting. Make it easy on yourself by having a plan of attack. You can choose to do a self-guided tour or take a bus tour. The Temecula Winegrowers Association has created a collection of tours that group wineries by categories, such as Reds, Whites, Familiar Favorites, Mediterranean Style, and Off-the-Beaten Path Boutiques. Pick which most appeals to you and you know you won’t be disappointed. You can find them as printable PDFs on their site.
No matter which tour you choose, make sure and visit Wilson Creek Winery & Vineyards. It’s one of our insider favorites.
There are many choices for lodging, including small bed and breakfasts, the Inn at Churon Winery for a bigger, grander b&b feel, and the South Coast Winery Resort & Spa for a luxury resort experience with all the extras.
In the Denver Area:
Fall is a superb time to visit Ouray, where the area flora is dressed in its gold-hued best. To add to the experience, there are a number of unique ways to see the fall colors in Ouray, including Jeep tours, scenic drives, hiking trails, hot air balloon rides, and hot tub perches. Be sure to pack a camera – there are many frame-able moments to be had! Check out Box Canyon Lodge and Hot Springs for decent rates.
If your foliage drive takes you to Estes Park, try the Estes Park Massage while you’re there. They happen to be running autumn specials now, including a 120-minute Cinnamon and Nutmeg Scrub with an hour Hot Stone Massage. Ahhhhhh.
Just outside of Steamboat Springs nestled alongside Hot Springs Creek lies one of the most spectacular mineral springs in the world. Imagine relaxing in 104-degree mineral water after hiking or biking trails the nearby in Routt National Forest. Strawberry Park Hot Springs is truly an unforgettable experience. The blending of pure natural beauty and the unique stone masonry of the pools is unlike anything you’ve seen before.
No matter where you go or how you choose to spend your weekend away, we hope you enjoy every minute of it!
Whether you’re a Colorado native or planning your next family vacation, here are UrbanSitter‘s Top 10 ideas for fun family-friendly activities.In no particular order….
1. Cherry Creek District. There’s the Cherry Creek Center, of course, which is an enclosed mall that’s certain to please even the pickiest of shoppers. But there’s also the Cherry Creek North shopping district — a 16 city-block area with more than 320 galleries, boutiques, restaurants and salons/spas. In the summer, enjoy Films on Fillmore (an outdoor film fest) and in the winter, don’t miss the Cherry Creek North Ice Rink.
2. Clyfford Still Museum. Clyfford Still is considered one of the most significant abstract American painters of the twentieth century. The museum, which opened to grand fanfare in 2011, is a new way to discover this important artist whose works were completely sealed by his estate until the museum opened. Take the kids and watch them marvel in the world of abstract art.
3. Beer Triangle. Well, maybe this one isn’t so much for the kids. But hey, why not get a sitter and take a tour of the Coors brewery, the largest single brewery in the world, as well as six dozen other award-winning brewpubs and microbreweries in the area.
4. B-cycle program. Denver is home to one of the most innovative, green bike-sharing programs in the world. Once you pay B-cycle’s modest membership fee, you can hop on a red bike at any one of the dozens of bike stations around the city, and take an unlimited number of rides — to lunch, the library, anywhere! So get the family outside for the day, all while getting some exercise and helping the environment to boot.
5. The Broadmoor Hotel and Resort. Actually in Colorado Springs (about a 45 min. drive from Denver), the Broadmoor sits on 3,000 acres of land in the shadow of Cheyenne Mountain. It’s a majestic, five-star resort that hails back to the days of old. The children will no doubt enjoy the two swimming pools, tennis courts, and plenty of long hallways, elevators, and corners to explore. Make sure you also make time for golf and dinner at one of the esteemed restaurants on the property.
6. Four Mile Historic Park. Denver may be totally modern city, but it still maintains some of its Wild West roots! Four Mile Historic Park is a 12-acre oasis just a stone’s throw from the Cherry Creek district. Home to Denver’s oldest standing structure, pioneer exhibits and the Four Mile House which was once a wayside inn and stage stop, kids are sure to love the park. And you’ll love the bonus history lesson!
7. Elitch Gardens. This one’s for the kids. Downtown Denver’s theme park has everything you’d want and more — roller coasters, junk food, games and rides. There’s truly something for everyone — even you!
8. Larimer Square. Located in the Mile High City’s oldest and most historic block, Larimer Square is a sight to see. Many of the building and structures still reflect the history of the city, and there is much to do and see…not to mention, EAT. Why not stop into Oteria Marco after shopping and sightseeing and indulge in the housemaid burrata and egg-topped carbonara pizza?
9. Coors Field. You’ll find the Rockies’ baseball stadium in the lower downtown area of Denver and what a sight it is to behold. Newly built in 1999, the park offers many new and updated amenities, gourmet food aplenty, and a spectacular view of the Rocky Mountains. Try to catch a game during the season and treat the kids to a fantastic day at the ballpark.
10. REI Flagship Store. In the market for new outdoor gear or clothes? This is the place. But it’s also the place for adventure! With an indoor climbing pinnacle and bike track, your kids will be in heaven. There’s also a Starbucks so you can refuel when you need it — and you probably will!
Don’t overlook Denver, whether you’re a Colorado native or planning your next family vacation. It’s a great city for all ages!