Find a babysitter in Quebec

Babysitters usually ask between $16 and $23 an hour for one child. The rate rises to $19 or $27 an hour for two or three children. No rate is imposed: the amount is agreed directly between the family and the babysitter.

Minimum wage sets the floor when you hire a babysitter as an employee. Quebec's general rate has been $16.60 an hour since 1 May 2026. Ontario's is $17.60 an hour and rises to $17.95 on 1 October 2026. Self employed babysitters set their own rate, but stay above minimum wage in the large majority of cases.

What changes the rate

• The number and age of the children. An infant needs more attention than a school age child.
• The hours. Evenings, overnights, weekends and statutory holidays cost more.
• Experience and training. A Red Cross Babysitting course and a valid first aid certificate justify a higher rate.
• Extra tasks. Meal preparation, homework help, driving children or light housekeeping add to the base rate.

Child care expense deduction

The federal child care expense deduction lets you claim what you pay a babysitter, up to an annual limit per child. Quebec adds a refundable provincial tax credit for childcare expenses. You need a receipt showing the babysitter's name, address and social insurance number. Ask for it when you hire rather than at tax time.

A babysitter looks after your children occasionally, in your home, often in the evening or on a school holiday. It is frequently a student or a young adult from the neighbourhood. The arrangement stays flexible with no long term commitment.

A nanny provides regular care, sometimes full time, with broader responsibilities: meals, bedtime routine, outings, developmental follow up. A licensed home child care provider looks after a small group of children in their own home under an agency or coordinating office. These three options answer different needs.

How to choose

For an occasional need on a tight budget, a babysitter works well. For daily care during your working hours, a nanny or a licensed home child care spot fits better. Many families combine both: a licensed spot during the week and a babysitter for evenings and closure days.

No platform can guarantee on your behalf that a person suits your family. SOS-Nounou makes the connection easier and verifies contact details, but the final decision is yours. Here is the process we recommend.

The trust score

Every profile shows a score out of 100 points. It adds up the presence of a photo, phone verification by SMS, email confirmation, a detailed description and stated availability. A high score does not replace a meeting, but it signals a real and serious profile. Profiles under 20 points do not appear publicly.

Before the first booking

Meet the person at your home with your children present. Ask for two family references and actually call them. Check the first aid training. For regular care you can request a police record check from your municipal police service: it costs around thirty dollars and takes a few weeks. Start with a short trial of two or three hours before trusting a full evening.