Are you just starting out as a babysitter and not sure what hourly rate to set? Or have you been looking after children for a while now and want to check whether your rate matches the market?

In Poland, the average hourly rate for babysitters in 2026 typically ranges from 20 to 30 PLN gross per hour, according to current market data. This is only a general guideline, though — actual earnings vary depending on the city, experience, and the type of care provided.

For example, in Warsaw, babysitters often earn between 30 and 50 PLN per hour, reflecting the higher cost of living and strong demand for childcare. In other major cities such as Kraków, Wrocław, or Poznań, typical rates range from 28 to 38 PLN per hour.

In medium-sized cities (e.g. Lublin), hourly rates usually fall within the 25–30 PLN range, while in smaller towns and rural areas, babysitters may earn somewhat less.

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How much does a babysitter earn per hour in Poland?

Rates for childcare in Poland can vary significantly depending on several key factors, such as the babysitter’s age and experience, qualifications (e.g. a first aid course or a pedagogical education), the number and age of the children, the frequency of care (occasional, regular, evening), and the scope of duties (e.g. preparing meals or picking children up from school).

Professional nannies with qualifications, a fixed work schedule, and sometimes live-in arrangements, typically charge between 35 and 50 PLN per hour, or receive a monthly salary of between 3,000 and 5,000 PLN, depending on the scope of duties and location.

A 16- or 17-year-old student offering occasional care, on the other hand, particularly in smaller towns, may offer lower hourly rates.

In this guide you’ll find everything you need to set your rate as a babysitter in Poland, including how to calculate it and when it’s worth negotiating a higher wage.

On Sitly, you can easily create your profile, browse job offers in your area, and set an hourly rate that reflects your experience and availability. It’s a simple and flexible way to connect with families nearby and find work that fits your schedule and expectations.

Childcare rates and the minimum wage in Poland

As mentioned earlier, the average hourly rate for a babysitter in Poland is typically between 20 and 30 PLN gross per hour, according to current market data. Keep in mind, though, that this is an averaged figure, and the actual rate may be higher or lower depending on the city, experience, qualifications, and type of care provided.

If you work regularly as a babysitter in Poland, it’s worth knowing whether the national minimum wage applies to your situation.

You’re most likely entitled to at least the minimum wage if:

  • you work regularly or set hours for one family,
  • you have a formal contract in place,
  • your working time is recorded and paid accordingly,
  • you are not a family member or a volunteer.

If childcare is a fixed part of a family’s routine, for example, if you work every week and have a signed contract, you may be entitled to at least the minimum wage.

Minimum wage in Poland (2026) — current rates

Minimum gross monthly wage: 4,806 PLN
Minimum gross hourly rate: 31.40 PLN

Under an employment contract (umowa o pracę), the minimum wage always applies, along with additional rights such as paid leave, sick pay, and pension contributions.

Under a contract of mandate (umowa zlecenie), the minimum hourly rate of 28.10 PLN gross must also be observed, provided that working time can be measured, which is usually the case with childcare. However, this type of contract doesn’t offer the same protections as an employment contract.

If you look after children occasionally, for example a few hours in the evening, the arrangement is often informal. It’s still worth setting a fair hourly rate that reflects your time, responsibility, and experience.

Understanding the minimum wage rules will help you set your rate with more confidence and ensure you’re fairly paid for your work.

Nanny pay in Poland

A nanny’s pay in Poland is typically higher than that of a babysitter working occasionally. While babysitting is often casual or informal, nannies usually work set hours, have a broader range of duties, and support the family with day-to-day childcare, helping with meals, daily routines, school or preschool pick-ups, and educational activities.

For this reason, a professional nanny in Poland (with qualifications, a fixed schedule, and sometimes living with the family) typically earns between 35 and 50 PLN per hour. Alternatively, they may receive a monthly salary of between 3,000 and 5,000 PLN, depending on the scope of duties, experience, and location.

Nannies with a relevant education, a completed first aid course, or years of experience typically earn rates at the higher end of this range.

Hourly babysitting rates in Poland’s largest cities

The minimum wage guidelines can serve as a good reference point when setting a fair childcare rate in Poland. However, the final amount is always agreed individually between you and the family and depends on many factors.

Location is one of the most important factors. Childcare rates can vary significantly depending on the region of Poland.

For example:

  • In Warsaw, babysitters often earn between 30 and 40 PLN per hour, reflecting the higher cost of living and strong demand for childcare.
  • In large cities such as Kraków, Wrocław, or Poznań, rates typically fall between 28 and 38 PLN per hour.
  • In medium-sized cities (e.g. Lublin), rates are usually 25–30 PLN per hour.
  • In smaller towns and rural areas, average rates are typically 15–25 PLN per hour.

That said, location isn’t everything. If you’re looking after several young children in a smaller town, or you have significant experience and relevant qualifications, you may earn more than a beginner babysitter in a large city.

Ultimately, your hourly rate should reflect your experience, the scope of your duties, and the individual needs of the family you’re working with.

How to calculate your childcare rate

Beyond location, there are many other factors that can affect your pay as a babysitter: experience, qualifications (e.g. a first aid course), the number and age of the children, and additional duties such as preparing meals or picking children up from school or preschool.

All of these elements affect your final pay and hourly rate. The infographic below will help you calculate a realistic hourly rate based on your scope of duties and the level of responsibility you take on within the family.

Infographic explaining how to calculate a babysitter’s hourly rate: starting rate for the local area, plus €10–20 per additional child, plus about €10 for an experienced babysitter. Extra requests such as homework, errands, or emergencies add €10–15, and small household chores add €10–15. The final hourly rate is discussed and agreed with the babysitter.



How much does an experienced or qualified babysitter earn?

If you’ve worked with children for many years or hold specialised qualifications (e.g. in early childhood education, a completed childminding course, or first aid training), you can set a rate higher than the base rate. Families are usually willing to pay more when they see professionalism, confidence, and strong competence in childcare.

How much does a babysitter earn per hour looking after two children?

When you’re looking after two or more children, your hourly rate can increase by around 20% compared to the base rate, depending on the scope of duties. Looking after two young children requires more attention and energy than looking after one older child. If the children are different ages, organising their day and adapting activities to each child’s needs can be even more of a challenge.

Hourly rate for a babysitter doing light housework

Tidying the playroom, preparing a meal for the child, washing dishes used by the children, or folding their clothes usually falls within a babysitter’s normal duties.

However, if the family asks for additional housework (such as doing the whole family’s laundry, dusting, or vacuuming), these are extra duties that should be paid separately.

Rates for a babysitter using their own car

Many babysitters pick children up from school, drive them to extracurricular activities (e.g. swimming or dance), and take them home again. If you use your own car for these trips, you can agree a weekly or monthly reimbursement with the family for fuel and running costs.

How much does a babysitter earn in the evening or at night in Poland?

Evening childcare in Poland is usually better paid, since working in the evening or at night is less convenient. As a general rule, you can set a rate 10–20% higher than your daytime rate for evening or night-time care. If you normally earn 30 PLN per hour, it’s reasonable to ask for 33–36 PLN per hour for evening work, especially if you’re staying overnight or working past 10pm.

The final rate, though, depends on the level of responsibility involved. If you arrive after the children have had dinner and they’ll soon be going to bed with a quiet night ahead, you might agree to a smaller increase. If, on the other hand, the children are very young, wake up often, or need constant attention during the night, a higher rate is justified.

Tip: Always agree safety arrangements for getting home at night with the parents in advance. Will they drive you home? Cover the cost of a taxi? Or walk you to your car? Your safety should always come first, and it’s a shared responsibility between you and the parents.

Example: Babysitter (16 years old) — two children, weekend evening care

Maja is 16 and in her second year of secondary school. She has over two years of babysitting experience, mainly looking after her younger brother and cousins. Every so often, she looks after two children on Saturday evenings. She arrives at 7:30pm, once the children are already asleep, and stays until 11:30pm. The parents always drive her home. They also provide snacks and ask her to empty the dishwasher while she’s there.

What’s a fair rate for Maja? Breakdown of her rate:

  • 18.00 PLN/hour → suggested rate for a teenage babysitter with light duties
  • 4.00 PLN/hour → for the second child in her care
    = 22.00 PLN/hour

However, since the children are already asleep and the scope of duties is very light, Maja and the parents agree together on a flat rate of 20 PLN/hour.

Payment for the evening:
20 PLN × 4 hours = 80.00 PLN

Maja is very happy with this arrangement: the evening is calm, she feels trusted by the parents, and the rate reflects the scope of her duties.

Babysitter pay: hourly rate or a flat fee?

Is it better to be paid by the hour, or to agree a flat fee? It depends on the type of work you do for a given family. For occasional jobs, or when the schedule changes often, it’s better to set an hourly rate, since you’re then paid for the hours actually worked.

If, on the other hand, you work regularly for one family, a fixed monthly wage can be a convenient solution. In that case, it’s very important to define exactly what that monthly amount covers. For example:

  • If the family doesn’t need you on a particular day, will you still be paid?
  • If something unexpected comes up and they ask you to stay two hours longer, will those hours be paid extra?
  • What happens if you usually work on Tuesdays, and a given month has five Tuesdays?

Tip: Agree on these details in advance to avoid misunderstandings and keep a calm, professional relationship with the family.

Rate for last-minute calls

What should you do if a family calls at the last minute because of an emergency, for example early in the morning when a child wakes up with a fever? In most cases, it’s fair to set a higher rate, usually 10–20% more for urgent requests.

It’s worth agreeing on a so-called “emergency rate” in advance, which applies whenever last-minute cover is needed. This keeps things clear for everyone, and ensures your flexibility is fairly rewarded.

Example: Babysitter (21 years old) — one child, after-school care including preparing lunch

Nina is 21 and studying early years and pre-primary education. She holds a first aid certificate, and this semester she has a flexible timetable at university.

Every Wednesday afternoon, she looks after one child for the same family. She picks up the 6-year-old boy from school at 3pm, prepares his lunch, plays with him, and stays until the parents get home, around 6pm. The boy is very energetic, so Nina is fully engaged the whole time she’s there. The parents provide all the ingredients for lunch and reimburse small expenses, such as bus fares or snacks.

What’s a reasonable rate for Nina?

  • 32.00 PLN/hour → typical rate for a qualified babysitter in a large city
  • Nina works for 3 hours, so the total amount is:
  • 35.00 PLN × 3 = 105.00 PLN

How much does a babysitter earn per month in Poland?

A babysitter’s monthly pay in Poland can vary significantly depending on the number of hours worked, experience, and location. A babysitter working part-time, around 20 hours a week, typically earns between 1,600 and 2,400 PLN per month, depending on the hourly rate and location.

If you work closer to full-time and hold additional qualifications, such as a first aid course, or have experience caring for infants or children with special needs, your monthly pay can exceed 3,000–4,500 PLN.

Professional nannies with a broader scope of duties, or those living with the family, can earn between 3,000 and 5,000 PLN per month. In these cases, the work is usually more formal, governed by a contract, and may include social insurance contributions and other employment rights.

How much does a babysitter earn per day in Poland?

If care is only needed on certain days, for example during school holidays, days off school, or when parents are travelling for work, you can agree a daily rate instead of an hourly one. The calculation is simple: just multiply your hourly rate by the number of hours worked.

For example, an 8-hour working day in Poland is typically priced between 160 and 320 PLN, depending on experience and location. The amount can be higher if you’re looking after very young children, several children at once, preparing meals, helping with homework, or working late into the evening.

Tip: It’s worth agreeing exact working hours, the scope of duties, and how any extra hours will be handled in case of unforeseen changes, with the family in advance. Clear arrangements from the start help avoid misunderstandings and ensure fair pay for your time and responsibility.

How to set your childcare rate in Poland

To work out a suitable hourly rate, it’s worth considering a few factors:

  • your qualifications and experience,
  • the number and age of the children,
  • average rates in your city or region,
  • the time of day (daytime or evening care),
  • the scope of duties expected by the family.

Once you have a rate that feels right, the next step is to have an open conversation with the family. This can feel a little stressful at first, but a clear agreement on pay is the best way to avoid misunderstandings and start off on a professional footing.

It’s worth being prepared: check rates in your area and calmly explain why the amount you’re proposing is justified, for example because of the children’s age, the schedule, or extra duties. You can also ask the family what budget they had in mind for childcare. An open, transparent conversation makes it easier to reach a fair agreement that works well for both sides.

Need more tips? Read our blog on how to become a great babysitter.