Babysitting, sorted — for parents and sitters.
Free babysitter rate calculator plus straight-talking guides: how much to pay a sitter, checklists, interview questions, and first-time sitter tips. No fluff, no login.
💵 Babysitter Rate CalculatorNot sure what to pay?
Free babysitter rate calculator. Estimate a fair hourly rate and total based on the number of kids, hours, sitter experience, and your area's cost of living.
Open the calculator →What sitters earn near you
What childcare work pays in 385 US metro areas, from Bureau of Labor Statistics figures, with suggested babysitter rates for each.
Find your city →Guides for parents & sitters
How Much to Pay a Babysitter (2026 Guide)
What's a fair babysitter rate in 2026 — by number of kids, experience, and where you live — plus when to pay more.
For ParentsThe Ultimate Babysitter Checklist for Parents
Everything to leave for your sitter — contacts, routines, rules, and the just-in-case info — in one printable list.
For Parents15 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Babysitter
The questions that actually reveal whether a sitter is a fit — on experience, judgment, and the awkward-but-important stuff.
For SittersFirst-Time Babysitter? Your Complete Starter Guide
How to prepare, what to ask the parents, how to handle the tricky moments, and how to get asked back.
For ParentsBabysitter vs. Daycare vs. Nanny: Which Is Right for You?
A clear comparison of cost, flexibility, and fit — so you can pick the childcare that matches your life.
For ParentsHow to Line Up a Backup Babysitter (Before You Need One)
Daycare closes, the nanny's sick, the regular sitter cancels — here's how to build a backup-sitter bench so you're never stuck.