Cancelling on a sitter - etiquette question

[L'sMommy]

We were supposed to have a sitter tonight for DS for a couple of hours to go have dinner. DS is not well so I cancelled the sitter. Tried to get her for later in the weekend but she's leaving for a long vacation. Are you supposed to compensate a sitter for cancelling on them last minute? She's in high school, lives in the neighborhood, and I typically book her through her mom. This would have been the 3rd time we used her - we rarely get sitters. Just wondering what the rule of thumb is here.

[pinkmomagain]

My dd1 is a high school-aged babysitter who gets booked through me and we would not expect to be compensated for the cancellation. She's probably happy because she gets to go out with her friends - lol!

[nfowife]

No, in that scenario I wouldn't compensate her since it's not a regular job. Next time if I might give her $10 extra as a "sorry I cancelled on you last time" bonus.

[KpbS]

I have offered to before--esp. when they have given up making plans like for a holiday or other important event but both times they have refused. I do like to schedule another date in the future as a do-over if possible.

[hollybloom24]

If I like the sitter and want her back, I pay her for 2-3 extra hours the next time I see her and tell her it is for cancelling on her short notice. If I cancel with more than a week to go, I typically do not compensate.

[candaceb]

I offer to pay and they have said "don't worry about it both times I have cancelled a sitter. I think it's nice to at least offer since they may have passed on something else.