You know it’s nice to tip waiters, bartenders and taxi drivers, but what about the other people who make your life go smoothly? Your babysitter is one person who may deserve a little extra now and then.
Although tipping your sitter is not required, here are six instances when you may want to add a few quid on top.
1. Going above and beyond
All sitters are not created equal. Some interact and entertain the kids while others do all of that and more. If your babysitter does more than what is expected (tidies up the house, folds laundry, takes the kids to ballet class, deals with unusually rambunctious kids, etc.), it’s a good idea to add more to their pay.
2. Dealing with an unexpected situation
If something happens that is beyond your control, and the sitter steps up to the plate, a tip is a good way to say thank you. For example, if you come home late, the power goes out or your child gets sick all over your sitter, a few dollars extra might be warranted.
3. Stepping up last minute
It can be extremely difficult to find a good sitter under normal circumstances. When there’s an emergency and you need one on a whim, it’s good to have a reliable resource. If your babysitter has to come on short notice, a tip of up to 20% is a sufficient amount.
4. Building a relationship
A gratuity is appropriate in any situation in which you want to express gratitude. It is a good way to build a relationship with someone so that they will want to sit for you next time you need them.
If you’re working with a new sitter who is particularly good and you want to keep them, a tip may be a good way to show you appreciate their expertise and rapport with your children. It’s recommended to round up the amount you owe. For example, if their total fee for the night is $56, round it up to $60.
5. Caring for a large group of children
Babysitters should be told in advance if they’ll be watching a large group of children. If your kids’ cousins, friends or neighbours are going to be at your house, it’s common practice to add more money to the hourly rate. (Use Care.com’s Babysitter Calculator to determine a rate for your area and the number of children.)
Discuss the rates beforehand, or add a little extra to their pay at the end of the night. If more than five kids will be present, consider hiring an additional babysitter to make sure that everyone is properly supervised.
6. Babysitting during the holidays
If you have a sitter who works for you regularly, it’s nice to give a tip during the festive period—an average night’s pay is common.
If your sitter is also caring for your kids on or around a bank holiday (like Christmas Day or Boxing Day), you should pay extra for the prime-time slot.
Although it isn’t necessarily ‘normal’ to tip your babysitter, it is an excellent way to show how much you appreciate them. You should tip anyone who performs a service for you that goes above and beyond your expectations. If you tip the person who does your hair, it makes sense that you would tip the person who watches your children.
