What do you pay a high school babysitter in Chambesburg PA (Chambersburg: minimum wage, kindergarten)

[firefightermom]

Hi, I am new to the area and I am wondering what the going rate for babysitting is. I have spoken to one 16 year old with some experience who says she charges the current minimum wage, which is $7.15 an hour. This is to watch one 3 year old for about an hour while we take our other child to kindergarten orientation. Just want to make sure this is what I can always expect, because back when I babysat in high school, I got nowhere near minimun wage! Thanks!

[thecoalman]

I would think the minimum wage is appropriate especially for one hour. If i had a child of that age I wouldn't allow them to take any less. If they were going to be watching kids overnight (do parents even do that anymore?), or for a very lengthy amount of time there's room for compromise.

[military spouse]

We recently left Chambersburg. When I was there, I was paying an adult $5.00 per hour to watch my daughter who was third grade at the time. I would pay someone about $10 if it was only for one hour. If it was going to be on a regular basis, maybe for 3-4 hours, I would generally give them $20. I paid the $5.00 per hour while I was working and so it ended up being decent money each week since I generally worked a couple of days each week. When I took my daughter to the school orientation at Marion, there were quite a few parents who brought their young children (not yet school age), so I wouldn't feel uncomfortable at all doing that!

[firefightermom]

Thanks for the input! If my daughter really has a fit I will just take her with us...this will be only the second time she's had a non-family sitter, so wish me luck!