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How to determine the right amount to pay a sitter is based on many factors.  The age of the sitter, their experience and your expectations. as well as the number of children will all help to determine the rate you should pay.  A good dollar amount to start with is $10 per hour.  This can then be increased or decreased accordingly.  It is important to ask your sitter if they have a required minimum fee.  This can be a good starting point to determine you babysitter's fee.  You can always negotiate based on your needs. 

Things to consider when determining the hourly fee for your sitter:

• Babysitter's Age: Younger less experienced sitters will get paid less than someone that is older and has experience.  If you have a sitter that you have used over the years and you are happy with be sure to increase wages as their experience increases.

• Experience:  If you are hiring a sitter that has spent time with groups of children, or has specialized training such as CPR, or early child development courses you can expect to pay more.

• Number of children:  You will need to pay an additional $2 to $5 dollars per hour, per  child.  So if you pay $10 for one child then it will be $12-$15 for two children and $14-$17 for three children.

• Day vs. Evening Needs:  If the children will be going to bed then you can pay less than if the children will be awake the whole time the sitter is there.

• City vs. Suburbs:  Expect to pay more for a babysitter in the city than in the suburbs.

• Activities:  If your sitter needs to transport your children to extracurricular activities, doctor's appointments, religious education classes et... you will need to pay more.

• Preparing Meals:  You should add $10 more to a sitter's wages for each meal that they will need to cook.  If they are doing take-out like pizza no need to add additional wages.

• Transportation:  If your sitter is driving be sure to supplement their income for gas used in their car or provide them with a car to drive to transport your children.

Remember that if you find a trustworthy babysitter that your children enjoy keep her happy to avoid her leaving for a higher-paying position.  The old saying "you get what you pay for" is critical when it comes to your children