Maybe you've dabbled in babysitting here and there and want to make it a more regular job. Or maybe you know that babysitting is the perfect job for you and are looking to succeed in your babysitting career or side hustle. Not only is starting a babysitting business financially good, there are many benefits to babysitting, especially for those who like working with children and need flexibility.
“Some of the benefits of having a babysitting business are that, similar to the Babysitter's Club, you can set your own schedule, decide which clients you take, and get great pleasure from helping families.” “It's something you can do,” says former babysitter Laurie Burdon Shipherd. She is a sitter from Baltimore who babysat her regularly for several years before becoming her mother.
If you're looking to make babysitting a stable job, we can help. Here, experienced babysitters share everything you need to know about how to run a successful babysitting business.
Advantages of running your own babysitting business
Customizable hours, cute kids — there are many perks to starting a babysitting business. Here's what an experienced sitter has to say about the benefits of babysitting:
Flexible scheduling
Anna Rollins, a former babysitter from Huntington, West Virginia, really valued the flexibility of babysitting and how she was able to arrange it around her college schedule. “This was a great side hustle to do alongside my graduate work,” she says. “Babysitting usually took place during the summer or on weekend nights, and I was always free to turn down the job.”
meaningful connections
You can form deep, meaningful connections with the families you babysit, and those connections can last for years. “I still keep in touch with a lot of the kids I sat with.” [in the past]” Rollins says. “Some of them visited our family this summer. I just had a girl two months ago, and her middle name is the name of the girl I babysat and loved dearly. It was named after him.”
“Before I had kids, I worked in marketing and sales, but now I'm babysitting because being with my kids gives me the flexibility.”
— Patricia Giron, babysitter and mother of three
Babysitting is a great side job
Not only do babysitters offer flexible working hours, but you can also run your babysitting business while working other types of part-time jobs. Kate Orson, who worked as a babysitter during her pregnancy and after moving abroad, loves babysitting because it allows her to earn extra money while doing other things she loves. Orson is an author, teaches writing workshops, and also works as a parent coach. “It suits me to take care of myself.” [babysitting] Avoid other self-employed jobs,” says Orson.
You can (in some cases) take your child to work
Patricia Giron of Port Washington, New York, is a mother of three who babysits around her children's schedules and says it's great for her. “It's great that a babysitter allows for flexibility in your schedule,” she says. “Before I had kids, I worked in marketing and sales, but now I'm babysitting because being with my kids gives me the flexibility.”
How to start a babysitting business
Want to start building your own babysitting business? First, let's take a quick look at the steps you need to take to get started, according to experts.
1. Create a resume
The babysitters we spoke to were divided on the resume issue. Most people say that babysitting tends to be quite informal, so a resume isn't necessarily necessary. Still, when starting a business, documenting your work history, education, training, and list of references will make you look more professional.
If you decide to write a babysitter resume, here's what you should include in your babysitter resume.
- Latest contact information.
- Introduce yourself and the type of job you are looking for in a short sentence.
- Relevant work history.
- Education, Training, and Certification.
- Special skills and achievements related to babysitting jobs.
- At least two quality references.
If a paper resume seems too cumbersome, consider creating a simple website that lists your skills, testimonials, and the best way to contact you. Many platforms such as WordPress and Wix allow you to create your own website for free.
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2. Choose the best reference book for babysitters
Whether you write a resume or not, most families will ask for references before hiring you. If you're just starting out as a babysitter and don't have any experience yet, it can be difficult. However, there are some workarounds.
Your babysitter's references may include people you babysat, even for a short time. You can also include situations in which you are the mother's helper and the parent is still at home and helps with the mother's care, says Bardon Shipherd. Previous experience caring for siblings or younger cousins can also be helpful, she added.
“If you don't have a recommendation, be honest about it and use a close friend or family member as a recommendation, especially so your family has someone to call after the interview,” Gillon says. Personal introductions of any kind usually work well, as families often just want to know that you are someone they can trust.
3. Keep babysitter training and certifications up to date
In general, babysitter training is not strictly necessary. However, training and certification can help you look more professional. The most common training options for sitters are:
- CPR and first aid training.
- Babysitting, childcare, or nanny qualifications.
- Water safety certification.
- Infant safety certification.
If you're only focusing on one type of training, it's probably CPR training, says Bardon-Syphard. “Many families want their babysitters to have training in things like basic first aid and CPR, so if you can do that before you start working, it can give you a business advantage. ” she explains.
“Nine out of 10 families ask for CPR training. Some actually offer to pay for it. Getting certified is a huge benefit.”
— Patricia Giron
Giron said she's seen a recent trend of families requesting, and sometimes funding, safety training. “These days, 9 out of 10 families seek CPR training,” she says. “Some people actually offer to pay for it. Getting certified is a huge benefit.”
4. Consider signing a babysitting contract
Do you need a contract to become a babysitter? For short-term or infrequent jobs, the answer is often no. However, some parents prefer babysitting contracts, and some babysitters prefer babysitting contracts. Gillon says her contract is essential to her because it protects her interests as a worker.
“The contract says everything that's expected of me up front,” Giron says. “That includes meals, playdates, naps, outdoor activities, and anything else I'm expected to do during the day with my baby or child.”
For Giron, who regularly works with babysitting clients several days a week, it's also important to lock in paid time off, sick days and vacations into the contract. “I documented everything in detail,” says Gillon. “Once everyone agrees and signs, we can get to work.”
5. Set up online job profile
Search for babysitting jobs
Parents often use trusted child care websites like Google and Care.com to find child care facilities near them. When you're ready to start working, set up an online job profile that includes as much information about yourself as possible. Please be sure to include the following:
- availability.
- Contact Information.
- Services provided.
- Your unique skills, training, and certifications.
The more personal and specific the better. Customer feedback is also helpful. Don't forget to add a professional photo of yourself.
Promote and grow your babysitting business
These days, there are many options for getting the word out about your babysitting business, especially now that parents and sitters can easily connect online. But old-fashioned, face-to-face methods of disseminating information still work. Here are some babysitter recommendations.
Find areas where potential customers hang out and spread the word about your services. This may include advertising in the following locations:
- kindergarten.
- church.
- local library.
- Recreation center.
Local marketing doesn't have to be expensive either. “You can easily create advertising materials” [like business cards and flyers] Use basic apps like Canva or Microsoft PowerPoint and put them where family members are likely to see them,” suggests Bardon-Syphard.
Use social media for marketing
“We started by looking on social platforms for people who needed help with children,” Giron says. “People always need childcare.” Moms and dads love connecting on social media platforms, especially parent groups. Try posting about your business on sites like Facebook or local online parent forums.
conclusion
Babysitting is a great job for college students, parents, or anyone looking for flexible hours and a highly personalized job. Running a babysitting business can be a very rewarding job, especially for people who love working with babies and small children.
The good thing is that starting your own babysitting business is not that complicated. References are usually needed, but you don't necessarily need years of babysitting work to get started. You can decide for yourself whether contracts, certifications, etc. are right for you. And importantly, spreading the word can be easily done both online and in person.
Above all, babysitters are always in demand. To find a stable job, it is important to show your family that you are responsible, kind and reliable. Building meaningful connections with each job will help you sustain and grow your babysitting business for years to come.