Teachers Assistant As Baby Sitter

[corkman]

Hi all,

Like many farang fmailies (I would imagine) we have found it difficult to find someone to babay sit our 3 year old daughter (who does not speak thai) on the odd occassion that we want to go out. Luckily, one of the teaching assistants at my childs (international) school has said she would be interested. Some one my child is familiar with, and speaks good english.

So, my question is, what would be an appropriate rate to pay this young lady. I want to be generous such that it is an attractive prospect for her, and yet not silly-generous to the point where I look like a fool. I want it to be a nice little earner for her, to the point that she looks forward to getting the oportunity to babysit, and so securing a reliable and good babysitter.

I am guessing (wildly) that a qualified, proper teach earns no more than 20k per month? So I am assuming that a TA, even in an international school, could not be earning that much and probably earns a lot less - more like 12-15k? At any rate, if I were to assume 20k, that is roughly 1k per day, for say an 8 hour day ..... so 125 baht an hour. So I am thinking if I pay her 200 baht an hour, plus pay for her taxi to and from our house, then she should be quite pleased with that? I'd also be inclined to round it up ..... if it was say 3.5 hours, I'd round it up to 800 baht, or so.......

Does all this sound reasonable? I would appreciate any ones comments or thoughts on the matter. As I say, I would like to be generous without being silly ..... and I want to keep it affordable so that if we decide to go out every week, then we can.

Many thanks in advance.

[saraburioz]

I'd say that 200 baht is too much. Is it hard work?

I agree with the wage you think the teachers get.

We had a nanny before and still occasionally use her now - she lives locally. We give her 100 baht an hour.

She'd prpbably rather take the bus and keep the taxi fare.

[corkman]

I'd say that 200 baht is too much. Is it hard work?

I agree with the wage you think the teachers get.

We had a nanny before and still occasionally use her now - she lives locally. We give her 100 baht an hour.

She'd prpbably rather take the bus and keep the taxi fare.

Well no, its not hard work - my little girl is 3 and will be in bed, so all she has to do is sit there and watch TV

So, do you think 150 baht/hour would be a "good" rate? I am assuming this girl has child care qualifications of some sort to be working in an international school, and as I say, I'd like her to think of this as a good little earner so there is incentive to do it regularly, and reliably.

Thanks for your reply, much apprecaited.

[MikeyIdea]

4 hours and 800 bath is something that she will be pretty pleased with - that's good for both parties. It should fit in to the "I'd like her to think of this as a good little earner so there is incentive to do it regularly, and reliably." nicely

[corkman]

Hi all,

Well much to my suprise (very much surprise) she came back and said she wanted 1000 baht for 3 hours, and 300/hr for each subsequent hour.........

Suffice to say we graciously declined!

Oh well, time to start looking elsewhere.

Suggestions and recommendations would be appreciated.

[fletchsmile]

Hi all,

Well much to my suprise (very much surprise) she came back and said she wanted 1000 baht for 3 hours, and 300/hr for each subsequent hour.........

Suffice to say we graciously declined!

Oh well, time to start looking elsewhere.

Suggestions and recommendations would be appreciated.

How long in Thailand? offer > counter offer > decline

Try 1,000 baht for 4 hours or something else in the middle Most Thais love bargaining.

TBH I think 300 baht an hour for someone you really trust is not bad. 400 baht diff in offer vs counter, for a nite out with the Mrs, and knowing the baby is safe isn't really that much. Worth bargaining a little to let them know you don't just pay whatever price is asked. You think 200 they think 300 => 250

Edited July 5, 2010 by fletchsmile

[onnut]

Thais do tend to price themselves out of the market sometimes.

But on the otherhand. Do you trust her? If so, for your Childs safety, I think it is worth it.

Nothing like going out and not relaxing because you are worried about your baby.

I know where you are coming from, but I'm lucky and don't worry about these things because we have family living close by.