Babysitting fees in UK

Hi...it just occurred to me that I don't know a fair hourly rate to pay a teenage babysitter. During the month-long visit with the twins it became apparent that we really need to find a babysitter there! You know, for weekly "date nights" etc. I know here in the states the rate varies widely depending on where you're living. We will be in Newcastle there...and there are two of them (though they're really not "double-trouble" and go to sleep by 7:30 anyway, so I might even have them asleep before we left...if that makes a difference!)
Thanks for your input!

I'll ask my sons who do some babysitting for neighbours. Incidentally, when my children were young we were in a babysitting circle; you were paid in plastic tokens per hour, and then could use your plastic tokens to book another parent from the circle. It worked pretty well and saved us a lot of money. Of course it meant you had to spend some evenings out, but you were usually left a nice piece of cake and could put your feet up without feeling you should be doing something useful (although one of our circle always used to bring her ironing with her).

I paid about $12/hour in London for an older babysitter/nanny.

Hi...do you mean 6 pounds an hour...or 12 POUNDS?!  

Thanks...Newcastle is a city...though not as big as London so hopefully not as expensive!

I'm *much* cheaper than £12.  In fact, I'm missing kids so badly lately that I could probably be bought with a pizza and a rented movie, to be honest.  

Just thought I'd share that for the record.  

We may be taking you up on that as the Easter Break progresses...  

Promises, promises!  

Actually it was about £8 or about $12/hour in London.  I know London is probably the most expensive area for that type of service.  Would expect it to be cheaper outside of London.

Thanks guys! Even if we have to spend all our entertainment money on the babysitter it will be worth it to just sit in the car, kissing in peace! Hehehe...just kidding!

Funnily enough my sister and brother-in-law have a a business and web site related to this subject.

It's more in the permenent side of things though. Here's a link

http://www.nanniez.co.uk

Hope it helps

Hello - just my 2 cents.... We've been here in the UK for almost 2 years and have lots of babysitters - mostly college students.  We consistently pay them £5 per hour and usually round up to the nearest hour when we get home.  What really adds up is paying their taxi home so recommend getting someone in your 'hood or someone with a car.