That question has many answers!

 

A standard babysitting session can cost anywhere between ¥1,500 to ¥3,000 an hour, depending on the babysitter's experience, any fees charged by the service provider or unique needs (for instance, very young infants or sick children may require a sitter with a specialized background). If you use a babysitter directly through a hotel, the hourly rate will be much higher: anywhere between ¥5,000 to ¥15,000.

 

Parents are usually asked to cover travel expenses to and from the babysitting location, as well. While mass transit is a common option, some jobs will end later than trains run or are far from the nearest station, so keep cab fare in mind. Our advice is not to let distance deter you from working with a specific sitter. Often the difference in travel expenses is a few hundred yen; if you find a sitter who is a great match for your family, it's definitely worth paying a little more!

 

You can also expect to pay more for anything "extra," such as multiple children, cooking, cleaning or a sitter with tutoring abilities. However, a good babysitter, who is able to assist with any of these tasks, will likely cost less per hour than if you paid for each individually.

 

The government also offers subsidies for qualified families who work with registered childcare providers; many of our babysitters are! If you qualify, it's an additional way to save money on babysitting cost. To learn more about the subsidy program and how to participate, check out our article here. 

 

The primary consideration when it comes to cost, though, is to remember that you get what you pay for! Affordability is important, but beware of "cheap" options; low price often signals low quality when it comes to childcare. Babysitters who have been thoroughly vetted, have in-demand skills (like English) and extensive childcare experience will cost more, But are these areas you really want to skimp on when it comes to your child?

 

As with any service, the price tag is important but doesn't tell the whole story. Even if you simply need childcare, the opportunity to expose your family to new perspectives, cultures and languages with a qualified babysitter you can trust is priceless.