The 5 Best Babysitters in Edinburgh for Happy Little Ones
Wee ones are cute, but there comes a point in every parent’s life when you’d sell your soul for two hours of quiet, or just one uninterrupted hour of coffee when you’re constantly around them.
That’s when the hunt for reliable babysitters in Edinburgh begins, which can be tougher than finding the best parking spots on a Saturday night. Luckily, the most in-demand ones here don’t just watch the bairns, but win them over with professionalism and charm.
How much do babysitters charge in Edinburgh?
In Edinburgh, expect to pay around £12 to £14 per hour for a babysitter. Do note that rates can vary with experience, number of children, and whether it’s an evening or weekend.
1. Super Mums Ltd
Address: 22A Great King Street
Contact: +441312251744
Operating hours:
Monday to Friday, 6 AM–8 PM
Saturday to Sunday, 8 AM–6 PM
I found myself firing off a panicked email to the office the other week, full of dread at missing a deadline, kiddos in tow, and the realisation that our usual sitter had flaked. Enter Super Mums, swooping in like a friendly rescue team, and my day was saved.
They offered an immediate evening babysitting slot, and I was able to walk out feeling slightly less frazzled. The sitter arrived on time, got the kids settled with stories and snacks, and I finally focused on the remote call I’d baked myself into.
Their service covers everything from evening babysitting at home to casual nanny cover, and even longer-term placements. There are also after-school club cover, holiday nanny work, and gift voucher babysitting nights that give them the flexibility traditional agencies lack.
I found the costs sensible, given the agency provides registered, vetted carers via a strict process of interviews, PVG checks, and references. I also like that they accept childcare vouchers and the Tax-Free Childcare scheme, which is a bonus for us working parents.
In a pinch, I’d recommend them anytime for reliable babysitting. However, the availability of the exact sitter you prefer may be limited at short notice, and you may incur extra charges for very late hours or weekends.
Really minimised the stress of being in a new city
We utilised Super Mums for a last-minute babysitter for a daytime event, following a grandparent’s illness. The excellent and fast communication of Super Mums over the weekend, no less, really minimised the stress of being in a new city for the event. The nanny who came was professional, experienced and made me very happy to leave two children under 2 in her care. I will use Super Mums again. Thank you.
– Katie Singleton, Google Review
Amazing service, super prompt
Amazing service, super prompt and responsive communication. They were able to help us find a babysitter with less than 24 hours’ notice, and everyone they’ve set up for us has been really amazing.
– Joseph Kelly, Google Review
2. Bright Bee’s Childminding
Address: Crewe Rd N
Operating hours: Monday to Friday, 8 AM–5 PM
My baby sis is a single mum and absolutely relies on Bright Bees’ Childminding to rescue her on especially chaotic days. She told me about ringing Bianca in a bit of a panic after getting called into a midday meeting, with her toddler daughter having nowhere to go.
Bianca sorted out after-school pickup and care for her without missing a beat. The services offer both full-day child-minding and emergency babysitting slots, so they’re pretty reliable for the odd scramble.
The cost is properly sensible, too: £12 per hour for babysitting and £7 per hour for childminding, which fits snugly into her budget. Her service is also registered with the Care Inspectorate and offers flexible hours.
A big plus is Bianca’s more than 17 years of experience, childcare qualifications, and outdoor/nature play, plus home-cooked snacks. My sister says she never feels like she just parked her daughter somewhere, but is truly cared for, especially with the home-away-from-home vibe of Bianca’s setting.
On the downside, the emergency bookings are still constrained by her regular hours, so very late nights or weekend sessions are limited or may need a separate arrangement. And because the setting is small and home-based, you’ll want to book ahead and secure your spot.
We were very lucky to find Bianca!
Our daughter has been going here for about 6 months. Bianca and her mum, Liz, are great with her, and she is learning new things every day! We receive photos of the everyday activities, and they always let us know how the day was and what happened. We also get updates on the naps and the food via an app, which is quite reassuring. Overall, this is a very good and comfortable setting, and our daughter really enjoys her time there and is making friends. We were very lucky to find Bianca!
– MH BN, Google Review
Bianca and Liz are amazing childminders
Bianca and Liz are amazing childminders. Olivia Rose settled in quickly. She provided daily updates with photos of all the fun, educational activities they did. Olivia Rose was always happy, and I felt confident that she is safe in her care. She was kind, professional, and always communicated well with us. I highly recommend her!
– Stacey Fraser, Google Review
3. Little Royals Childcare
Address: PO BOX 9276, Campbeltown
Contact: [email protected]
Operating hours: Available 24/7 for booking
A few years ago, my wife and I snuck away for our anniversary stay in town, baby in tow, and were lost about how to enjoy ourselves while being doting parents. Luckily, Little Royals Childcare handled our infant like pros, so we managed to have a romantic dinner without getting dribbled on.
They offer hotel-based babysitting across Scotland, and can cater for babies to teens. The cost is hourly with no hidden booking fees (very straightforward for us, juggling flight costs), and they provided clarity on pricing. Plus, they’re available 24/7 for last-minute bookings!
We were convinced because of their notable experience with high-end hotels like Gleneagles, and the fact that their babysitters arrived prepped with games, books, and experience with calming infants.
They also run special deals for hotel stays. You can book a session through the hotel, or directly from their site and benefit from a 5-star service that aims to make the bairns feel like little VIPs.
However, they’re primarily hotel-based and geared for stays, so in-home babysitting in a random Edinburgh flat is not their core offering.
I’ve booked them for another wedding later this year
I’ve personally used Little Royals Childcare, and they were great. I’ve booked them for another wedding later this year. I didn’t want a fuss, just someone to help get my little one to bed and to stay until we were back at the end of the night.
– Jenni Breen, Facebook Review
Everyone we’ve had has been a trained nursery nurse
We’ve used little royals at Gleneagles from when our daughter was 2.5 months old multiple times. Highly recommend. Everyone we’ve had has been a trained nursery nurse and has been really supportive. We always use Elspeth if we can (just because of familiarity), really positive experience. She updates you throughout the visit if you need and is happy to do bedtime routines, feeds, etc, if you want to.
– Ashley Chisholm, Facebook Review
4. Giggles and More Ltd
Address: Fairways Business Park, 8 Deer Park Ave
Contact: +447455664311
Operating hours: Open 24 hours
One time, a colleague of mine had to juggle rambunctious twin boys and a surprise work pitch, and managed to get through the day beautifully. How did she do it? Giggles and More helped her…and then some.
They stepped in by 9 AM to provide in-home care for her boys while she headed to the boardroom like a boss. Their services stretch from daytime babysitting to overnight care, plus emergency bookings across Edinburgh and West Lothian.
They’re also registered with Disclosure Scotland and the Care Inspectorate, so she could relax knowing the twins weren’t being looked after by just someone who happened to answer the phone.
There are additional special deals, as well: discounts for NHS staff and Tax Free Childcare payments to make the billing less stressful in a week full of chaos. Plus, they’re open 24/7 and can cover weekends.
If there’s an issue, it’s their positioning as a broad-service provider, so those needing highly specialised sitters for medical needs or niche developmental support might find their roster less tailored.
Customer Reviews
Always trying to cover my requests and accommodate my needs
Been using this as childcare for a couple of months now and I can’t get more happy and comfortable! Bridget and her time are amazing! Very professional and always trying to cover my requests and accommodate my needs! I would recommend them always!
– Jessica Abalde, Google Review
I enjoyed their services during my stay in the UK
I enjoyed their services during my stay in the UK, and I would advise everyone who needs their services not to look elsewhere but rather contact them.
– Irene Ackerson Esi, Google Review
5. Lothian Childcare Solutions
Contact: +447761039789
Operating hours:
Monday to Thursday, 9 AM–5 PM
Friday, 9 AM–1 PM
My wife and I were attending a business gala when our normally reserved toddler pitched a full-on meltdown right after the canapé round. Lothian Childcare Solutions swooped in with a vetted sitter within the hour and whisked our little one off to calmer territory.
The agency offers babysitters, emergency cover, nannies, and mother-helper support across Edinburgh and the Lothians. Standard sitter rates are £13.50/hour plus a one-off agency fee, with average final costs sitting at around £22 after all fees.
Every sitter is qualified and recruited through a strict recruitment process. We liked the emergency babysitting service, as we’d need it for those oh-no moments when our kids act up in public.
My only issue with this service is how the cost can creep up once the agency fee and any late-night premiums are factored in, so it’s not the lowest hourly rate in town. Still, for the few hours of peace and non-embarassment we can get, we’ll gladly pay the cost.
I have been extremely impressed from start to finish with the efficiency and organisation
Thank you so much for your wonderful service. I have been extremely impressed from start to finish with the efficiency and organisation of getting the childcare in place so easily, even though it wasn’t a regular booking and finding a perfect match based on my requirements. Ellie was absolutely fantastic today with my boys. She was extremely professional and reliable, but also warm, kind and had a fabulous way with them. She showed a keen interest in them as individuals, which was really nice given their ages (11 and 9). She got in touch in advance and checked important information, such as allergies and contact details, and likes/ dislikes, which was very thoughtful. A great service, and I would not hesitate to use you again or recommend you or Ellie in particular.
– Verity Munro, Facebook Review
My daughter thoroughly enjoyed having Ellie sit
We called Pamela again as we had an evening planned out again, and once again, she didn’t fail to send us the amazing Ellie! My daughter thoroughly enjoyed having Ellie sit, and I even got a message while we were out from my daughter to say they had been busy doing things and making cookies even including my 2 1/2 year old son. We kept in contact during the evening and felt our kids were in safe hands. We would love to have Ellie back to sit again; she was fantastic. Thanks to Pamela for a great service once again.
– Nicky Nixon, Facebook Review