A babysitter in South Florida typically costs $20–$30 per hour hired privately, and $25–$40 per hour through an agency. NextDay Nanny charges a flat $30 per hour for one child, plus $3 for each additional child, with a 4-hour minimum — and that rate includes vetting, background checks, liability insurance and coordination. Below is what every type of childcare costs here, and what actually moves the price.
Palm Beach County rates run higher than the Florida average, and higher again during social season from November through April when demand across Palm Beach, Boca Raton and Wellington tightens sharply. Families who set up a recurring caregiver before season starts consistently pay less and get better availability than those searching in January.
What Childcare Costs in South Florida
Rates vary by service, number of children, and whether you hire privately or through a vetted agency. Here is how our flat pricing compares to what families are typically quoted locally.
| Feature | Traditional Agency | NextDay Nanny |
|---|---|---|
| Babysitting (1 child) | $25–$40/hr | $30/hr flat |
| Each additional child | $5–$10/hr | $3/hr |
| Recurring nanny | $28–$45/hr | $32/hr flat |
| Night nanny / newborn | $40–$55/hr | $50/hr flat |
| After-school care | $25–$40/hr | $30/hr flat |
| Hotel / vacation sitting | $35–$47/hr | $40/hr flat |
| Placement / agency fee | $500–$2,500 | None |
| Contract required | Often | Never |
Babysitting Rates Explained
Standard babysitting is $30 per hour for one child, with $3 for each additional child and a 4-hour minimum. The minimum exists because a sitter travelling across Palm Beach County for a single hour is not a booking anyone can staff reliably — and reliability is the thing you are actually paying for.
- One child — $30 per hour
- Each additional child — +$3 per hour
- 4-hour minimum booking
- Includes vetting, background check and liability insurance
- No placement fee, no membership, no contract
Nanny and Night Nanny Rates
A recurring nanny is $32 per hour — slightly above standard babysitting, because you get the same caregiver each visit, familiarity with your household, and a real relationship with your children. Night nannies are $50 per hour, reflecting genuine newborn overnight expertise: managing every feed, settling and diaper change so you actually sleep.
What Changes the Price
Base rates are flat and published. Only a few clearly stated factors adjust the total, and all of them are shown before you book.
- Number of children — +$3 per hour each
- Last-minute (under 24 hours) — +$5 per hour
- Holidays and peak dates — time-and-a-half
- Before 8am or after 9pm — +$5 per hour
- Special-needs care — $40 per hour, one-to-one
Hourly Rates vs Concierge Packages
Most families book hourly. Our Signature Concierge tiers — Silver at $250, Gold at $400, and Platinum at $800 — are a flat all-inclusive alternative for occasions where you want everything handled: a top-vetted caregiver, up to five children with no per-child charge, and zero add-on fees. They cost more per hour by design; they exist for galas, milestone events and the morning after.
Why Agency Rates Are Higher Than Hiring Privately
Hiring a sitter directly is cheaper per hour, and for some families that works. What the higher agency rate buys is a criminal background check and identity verification completed before the first booking, liability insurance covering the visit, a replacement if your caregiver falls through, and someone accountable if something goes wrong. Whether that is worth roughly $8 an hour is a fair question — we would rather you decide it with the numbers in front of you.