Babysitting Basics
Know what to do in emergencies – have key phone numbers and medical info handy about the kids you’ll be watching. Learn fire safety and CPR. Understand homework help, activities for various ages, and how to handle challenging situations. Build experience and references over time.
Starting as a Babysitter
Make flyers and cards to distribute locally. Tell neighbors, teachers, religious groups, and parents’ friends you’re available. Post on community boards near schools, shops, and doctor’s offices advertising your services. Join neighborhood social networks and advertise there too.
Advertising and Registration
Tell neighbors, teachers, religious groups members, and parents’ friends you’re available for babysitting jobs. Let people know you’re a responsible sitter they can turn to when they need one.
- Make a flyer with "Babysitting" written across the top in a large font.
- Introduce yourself in the first sentence with your name and education level.
- Most start between ages 11-14 but there’s often no legal minimum age. Take a babysitting course starting at age 11.
- If you have excellent references and professional experience, register with a service like Sitters, the UK’s largest online agency.
- After-school sitters average $16.26 per hour for about 15 hours per week.
- When negotiating pay, be creative – offer your services at a higher rate in exchange for helping with homework or chores.