Babysitting - going rate and what to leave out????

[LittleBlackDress]

Help!! Got a babysitter for the first time in ages and have no idea what to pay her or to leave out. She is the daughter of a neighbour. Don't want to rip her off with a few quid just cause she's a teenager - happy to pay the proper going rate as if she's any good I'd like her to want to come back, plus her mum is a nanny and will be on call if any problems.

Then, what and how much to leave out for her food and drink wise? What's an appropriate time to return?? #clueless :)

[toolatetobed]

I would leave £5 per hour. Re what time to be back, I would discuss with her mum how late she is happy for her daughter to stay.

[Seb101]

Most parents I babysit for just say help yourself to food and drink. But maybe popping some biscuits/ cake on the work top is a nice gesture. Whatever you've got in cupboard. It's also nice if you put a cup, tea, coffee out on work top; saves having to open every cupboard in kitchen searching for stuff. None of this essential though, but I know I appreciate it when patents do this. Id say £6 an hour if she's 16-18, may be with a little experience of babysitting. Then maybe £5 an hour if she's under 16. Also depends where you live.
I always like parents to be home before midnight, possibly earlier on a week night. If its going to be later, I like to be warned/ asked beforehand, so I can say no if I don't want to. Although happy to do late ones at weekends occasionally. I'd increase pay after midnight too.

[LittleBlackDress]

Thank you very much indeed! Much appreciated. :)