PRICE GUIDE · CHILDCARE & FAMILY · 2026–2027
Babysitter cost in Ireland
€12–€18 per hour. Typically €14.
A babysitter in Ireland costs €12–€18 per hour, typically around €14. The price is set by number/ages of children, experience and qualifications and hours and regularity.
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HOW MUCH IT COSTS
How much does a babysitter cost in Ireland?
| Low end | €12 | a simple job, off-peak, outside the cities |
|---|---|---|
| Typical | €14 | what most people pay |
| High end | €18 | the biggest jobs, short notice, Dublin |
Locufy guide prices for 2026–2027. Updated 2026. A national range, not a quote — enter your town above for real prices from the babysitters, childminders, nannies, crèches and agencies near you.
What moves the price
- Babysitter's experience — a babysitter with first aid training or long experience with young children may charge more per hour.
- Number of children being cared for — each extra child adds to the babysitter's workload and often the rate.
- Duration of care — a babysitter booked for a full evening costs more in total than a short daytime slot.
- Additional complexities — a babysitter covering special needs or bedtime routines for several children may charge more per hour.
- Special needs or last-minute requests — an emergency babysitter at short notice may charge more per hour.
| Lowest | €4.40 | the lowest rate a provider has set |
|---|---|---|
| Average | €19 | across 34 hourly service providers |
| Highest | €33 | the highest rate a provider has set |
What it costs on Locufy
These are the rates the 34 hourly service providers on Locufy in Ireland set themselves, as their profiles show them.
Locufy credit lowers these rates further:
- €10 · You get €10 of credit when you finish signing up.
- €10 · You and a friend each get €10 when they complete their first booking.
- €1 · Each review of a completed job earns you 100 points (€1); every 1,000 points becomes €10 of credit.
Example: credit can cover up to 10% of a booking, so at the €19 average an hour costs you €17.10 while your credit lasts.
What families pay for Childcare is down 35% over five years, largely because of subsidies (CSO Consumer Price Index, Childcare, to 2025 December); what providers charge has not fallen in the same way. CSO CPM18
WHAT YOU GET
What a babysitter visit includes
Takes: Babysitters can typically be booked for a few hours to an entire day or evening.. Not included: Babysitters typically do not provide specialized care, such as medical or educational services.
WHAT PEOPLE BOOK
Common babysitter jobs
KNOW THE PRICE? NOW SEE THE REAL ONES
Babysitter near you, with prices shown
The babysitters, childminders, nannies, crèches and agencies that cover your area, nearest first, each with their price and one score from every review. No account needed to look.
Or post the job free and let them come to you, or book by the hour.
How to pay less
- Booking a regular weekly babysitter can cost less per hour than calling one in at short notice.
- Sharing a babysitter with another family for a joint evening can split the cost per hour.
- Getting children fed and ready for bed before the babysitter arrives can shorten the hours you need.
- Booking a babysitter for daytime hours, where it suits, can cost less per hour than late nights.
- An occasional babysitter for a few hours costs less than a full-time nanny when you only need childcare now and then.
Before you book
- Emergency contact information and any necessary medical details.
- A list of household rules, including screen time and bedtime routines.
- Access to necessary supplies such as food, toys, and first aid kits.
- Tell the babysitter about each child's bedtime routine, allergies and anything that helps them settle.
- Check the babysitter's references and whether they have looked after children of similar ages.
- Agree the finishing time, what happens if you are running late and how the babysitter gets home.
- You can ask whether the babysitter has first aid training and how they would handle an emergency while you are out.
Babysitter cost: questions people ask
The cost of a babysitter can vary based on location, the babysitter's experience, and the number of children being cared for. Additional factors such as special needs care or overnight stays can also affect pricing.
Babysitters can typically be booked for a few hours to an entire day or evening. It's important to communicate your needs clearly to ensure the babysitter can accommodate your schedule.
For general babysitting, a regular babysitter is usually sufficient. However, if your child has specific needs or medical conditions, you may want to consider a qualified specialist with relevant experience.
Many babysitters may be available for same-day bookings, but it can depend on their schedule and demand. It's advisable to plan ahead whenever possible to secure the best fit for your needs.
Yes, many babysitters are open to booking multiple jobs, especially if they can manage their schedule effectively. Discussing your needs upfront can help ensure that everything is organised.
Babysitters typically do not provide specialised care, such as medical or educational services. They generally focus on supervision, basic meal prep, and activities, leaving specialised tasks to qualified professionals.
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