Summary
- Babysitting costs $18–30/hr (US) or £10–18/hr (UK).
- Qualified nannies cost more, with extras for late nights and holidays.
- Always call two references and run a paid trial first.
- Regular nanny care can make you an employer with payroll duties.
- Leave a one-page handover sheet with emergency details.
Quick answer
Occasional babysitting costs about $18–30 per hour in the US and £10–18 per hour in the UK. A qualified nanny costs $22–40 or £13–22 per hour, with higher rates for multiple children, late nights and holidays.
Typical 2026 rates
| Type | US | UK |
|---|---|---|
| Teen / occasional babysitter | $15–22/hr | £8–12/hr |
| Experienced babysitter | $20–30/hr | £12–18/hr |
| Qualified nanny | $22–40/hr | £13–22/hr |
| Additional child | +$2–5/hr | +£1–3/hr |
| After midnight / overnight | +25–50% | +25–50% |
| New Year's Eve and holidays | 1.5–2× | 1.5–2× |
| Nanny share (per family) | 60–75% of full rate | 60–75% of full rate |
Checks to do before the first booking
What to agree in writing
Employing a regular nanny often makes you an employer with payroll and insurance duties in both markets. Check before the arrangement becomes regular.
The handover sheet
Leave one page by the door: your mobile numbers, a second emergency contact, the address written out, any allergies and medication with doses and times, bedtime routine, where the first aid kit is, and what to do if a smoke alarm sounds. It takes five minutes and removes almost every avoidable problem.
Warning signs
Reluctance to provide references, no interest in meeting the children first, vagueness about availability and rates, phone use throughout the trial, and any pressure to be paid entirely in cash with no record.
Summary
Budget £10–18 or $18–30 per hour for babysitting and more for a qualified nanny. Call two references, run a paid trial, do a background check for regular care, and write down the rate, rules and emergency details before the first evening out.