HOW TO HIRE · CHILDCARE & FAMILY

How to hire an evening babysitter in Ireland
The checks, the questions and the paperwork.

An evening babysitter in Ireland costs €13–€20 per hour, typically around €15. Here is how to check that in a minute, what to ask before you book, and what you must be handed when the job is done.

  • Search and compare — no account needed
  • Nearest to you first
  • One score from Google, Trustpilot and Locufy reviews

THE 60-SECOND VERSION

Hiring an evening babysitter in five steps

  1. Are you on the Tusla register of childminding services, and what is your number?A number you can look up yourself before you agree a price — bedtime Routines — A key part of an evening babysitter's role is to help children with their bedtime routines.
  2. How does number of children change the price?The more there is to do, the more hours it takes. — ask before the quote rather than after.
  3. How does their ages change the price?Age brings small faults that each take a few minutes. — ask before the quote rather than after.
  4. How does babysitter's experience level change the price?Skill shows in the parts of the job you never see. — ask before the quote rather than after.
  5. What is not included?Engaging Activities — babysitters often engage children in age-appropriate activities, like reading stories, playing games, or doing arts and crafts — get the exclusions named in the quote, because a evening babysitter job is priced on what was agreed and not on what was assumed.

BEFORE YOU BOOK

Check before you book

Tusla Early Years Inspectorate — childminding registration

The childminding regulations apply only to a childminder caring for children in the CHILDMINDER'S OWN HOME.

Search the Tusla register of childminding services for the name or the registration number before you agree a price. tusla.ie →

Where the rules stand now

A childminder caring for 3 or fewer pre-school children, and 6 or fewer children in total, remains exempt for the transitional period. Registration becomes mandatory from September 2027. Registration is not yet mandatory for every childminder. Ask whether this childminder is registered, and if not, whether they fall inside the transitional exemption — both answers are legitimate in 2026.

Ask where they are in the process, and when they expect to be registered — the date is September 2027 either way. tusla.ie →

Garda vetting

National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012–2016 The regulation requiring vetting of household members aged 16 and over commenced on 1 February 2025. Vetting is carried out through a relevant organisation, not by a parent directly. Ask to see the disclosure the childminder holds.

Ask to see the garda vetting letter itself, with its date on it — not a statement that one exists.

Insurance

Expect public liability covering minding in the home; ask to see it. You are booking an individual for a set number of hours, so ask whether the ID has been checked and what the rating is from people who booked the same way — there is no company behind them to carry either.

Ask to see the current certificate of insurance — the insurer's name, the limit and the date it runs to.

VAT

No VAT: this service is exempt, so there is none to add and none to reclaim. A quote that adds it is wrong. An individual working under the €42,500 registration threshold does not charge VAT at all, and does not have a VAT number to give you.

Ask whether the figure you were given includes it, and for the VAT number if they are registered — Revenue publishes the rate for this service. revenue.ie →

“Are you on the Tusla register of childminding services, and what is your number?”

A good answer: A number you can look up yourself before you agree a price — bedtime Routines — A key part of an evening babysitter's role is to help children with their bedtime routines.

“How does number of children change the price?”

A good answer: The more there is to do, the more hours it takes. — ask before the quote rather than after.

“How does their ages change the price?”

A good answer: Age brings small faults that each take a few minutes. — ask before the quote rather than after.

“How does babysitter's experience level change the price?”

A good answer: Skill shows in the parts of the job you never see. — ask before the quote rather than after.

“What is not included?”

A good answer: Engaging Activities — babysitters often engage children in age-appropriate activities, like reading stories, playing games, or doing arts and crafts — get the exclusions named in the quote, because a evening babysitter job is priced on what was agreed and not on what was assumed.

“Who insures you, and what is the policy number?”

A good answer: Expect public liability covering minding in the home; ask to see it — meal Preparation — many evening babysitters can assist with meal preparation, such as warming up dinner or preparing simple snacks.

“What do I get in writing, and when?”

A good answer: A written scope and a price before the evening babysitter starts, and an itemised invoice after — holiday Babysitter — available during holidays to care for children while parents manage festive activities.

Booking by the hour

  • The rate per hour, and whether it changes in the evening or at a weekend
  • The minimum booking, and what happens if the job finishes early
  • What they bring and what you supply
  • Whether the ID has been checked, and the rating from people who booked the same way
  • Insurance, where the work can damage something or somebody
  • The hours and the list of what is to be done, agreed before the first one

Walk away if

  • They are not on the Tusla register of childminding services, or the number does not resolve to the name on the quote
  • They will not talk about it: number of children — the more there is to do, the more hours it takes
  • They will not talk about it: their ages — age brings small faults that each take a few minutes
  • They will not talk about it: babysitter's experience level — skill shows in the parts of the job you never see
  • A price for the evening babysitter before anyone has asked the size, the access or the condition of what they are working on
  • Cash only, or a large deposit before anything at all has started
LOW
€13
TYPICAL
€15
HIGH
€20

What an evening babysitter costs: €13–€20 per hour

Most evening babysitters quote the job rather than the hour; the hourly rate is what the small jobs are priced from. General evening babysitter and After-school babysitter each carry their own band. Evening Babysitter price guide →

Guide prices compiled by the Locufy team from published Irish and UK provider price lists and 2026/27 cost guides. Updated 2026.

KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR? NOW FIND ONE

Evening babysitters near you, with the badges that matter shown

ID checked, trader status and one score from every review — on the card, before you message anyone. Nearest first. No account needed to look.

Or post the job free and let them come to you, or book by the hour.

  1. Look firstNumber of children — the more there is to do, the more hours it takes — that is what the evening babysitter is judging on the first visit, and a price given without it is a guess.
  2. Agree what is being doneTheir ages — age brings small faults that each take a few minutes — put in writing before anyone starts, because it is the document you both read back at the end.
  3. The work itselfBabysitter's experience level — skill shows in the parts of the job you never see — and anything found on the day that was not in that is priced before it is started.
  4. Check it togetherDuration of care needed — a rushed job and a careful one take different amounts of time — walked against the written scope rather than against the feeling of it, while the evening babysitter is still there.
  5. What you are handedThe itemised invoice and any guarantee on the workmanship and the parts, discuss safety protocols, especially if the children are very young or have special needs.

Meal Preparation
Many evening babysitters can assist with meal preparation, such as warming up dinner or preparing simple snacks.
Engaging Activities
Babysitters often engage children in age-appropriate activities, like reading stories, playing games, or doing arts and crafts.
Bedtime Routines
A key part of an evening babysitter's role is to help children with their bedtime routines.
General Evening Babysitter
Provides childcare and supervision for children during evening hours.
After-School Babysitter
Cares for children after school until parents return home.
Event Babysitter
Cares for children at events, allowing parents to enjoy their time worry-free.

AFTER

When the job is done

Keep the invoice and the paperworkAn itemised invoice with the trader's name, the work and the total — bedtime Routines — A key part of an evening babysitter's role is to help children with their bedtime routines, because it is what a buyer's solicitor, an insurer or a lender asks for long after the evening babysitter has gone.
Test what was doneEngaging Activities — babysitters often engage children in age-appropriate activities, like reading stories, playing games, or doing arts and crafts — and something that does not work on the day is theirs to put right there and then.
Ask what the guarantee isOn the workmanship and on the parts, and for how long each one runs — they are usually different. meal Preparation — many evening babysitters can assist with meal preparation, such as warming up dinner or preparing simple snacks — under the Consumer Rights Act 2022 what was agreed is what can be relied on.
Leave the reviewOnly a booked job can be reviewed on Locufy, which is why the score on a evening babysitter's card means something — holiday Babysitter — available during holidays to care for children while parents manage festive activities.

STEP 1Say it in writing, firstSay what is wrong and what you want done. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2022 the work must be carried out with reasonable skill and care, and defective work put right.
STEP 2Use the make-it-right step on LocufyUnder four stars you are asked whether to send it to the provider first; we follow it through. Then review.
STEP 3Escalate to the body that regulates itReport it to Tusla Early Years Inspectorate — childminding registration.
STEP 4Small claimsSmall claims covers €2,000, once you have asked in writing and given them a chance to put it right.

Hiring an evening babysitter: questions people ask

The cost of hiring an evening babysitter can vary based on factors such as location, the babysitter's experience, and the number of children being cared for. Additional responsibilities, like meal preparation or special needs care, may also affect the price.

Evening babysitters can typically be booked for a range of durations, from a few hours to an entire evening. It's important to communicate your needs clearly when making a booking.

For general babysitting, a qualified specialist is not always necessary; however, it's beneficial to choose someone with experience and references. If your child has specific needs, it may be wise to seek a sitter with specialised training.

Many babysitters offer emergency or same-day availability, but this can depend on their current commitments. It's advisable to check in advance, particularly during busy times or weekends.

Yes, many babysitters are open to taking on multiple jobs, such as regular evening sitters or occasional overnight stays. Discussing your needs with the babysitter can help establish a consistent schedule.

Evening babysitters usually do not provide services like cleaning the house, tutoring, or managing complex medical needs. Their primary focus is on the safety and well-being of the children.

MORE GUIDES

More hiring guides in childcare & family

How to hire: BabysitterHow to hire: ChildminderHow to hire: NannyHow to hire: Live-In NannyHow to hire: Part-Time NannyHow to hire: Au PairHow to hire: Mother's HelpHow to hire: Maternity NurseAll 701 hiring guides →

Evening babysitters near you

Evening babysitters in DublinEvening babysitters in CorkEvening babysitters in GalwayEvening babysitters in LimerickAll evening babysitters on Locufy →

Sources — checked October 2026

  1. Tusla — childminding registration opened 30 September 2024
  2. Tusla — childminding services FAQs
  3. Department of Children — new regulations for childminding
  4. National Action Plan for Childminding 2021–2028
  5. Consumer Rights Act 2022
  6. Revenue — CHILDMINDING (Children and education) — Exempt
  7. Revenue — current VAT rates (effective 1 January 2026)
  8. Revenue — VAT thresholds: €42,500 for a person supplying services only