Babysitter Job Descriptions: Examples and Tips
It’s important to write a great babysitter job description to find the ideal carer for your family.
What is a babysitter job description?
A babysitter job description is a document that outlines the duties and responsibilities of a babysitter. By writing a detailed babysitter description you’ll be able to attract the perfect person for the role.
What’s included in a babysitter job description?
The key areas of a job description usually include:
- Summary - including the number and ages of the children
- Days / Hours
- Responsibilities of the role
- Requirements - Skills, Qualifications, Experience
- Rates
What types of responsibilities are in a babysitter job description?
When writing out the responsibilities of the babysitting job you may like to think about the average ‘day in the life of’ the child. Think about all the duties that ensure your child is safe, healthy and well cared for.
Responsibilities may include:
- Planning age and developmentally appropriate activities
- Ensuring the children’s health and safety
- Supervising or participating in play activities
- Dressing children
- Changing diapers / potty training
- Managing naptime and sleep schedules
- Driving
- Preparing and serving snacks, drinks, meals
- Housekeeping duties
- Communicating with parents about the children’s activities, health and behavior.
What types of skills are in a babysitter job description?
You should include a list of skills required for the role. These might include things such as:
- Childcare skills
- Interpersonal skills
- Time management skills
- Problem-solving skills
- Skills for specific needs (health management, disability support)
- Reliability
- Adaptability
What qualifications can be expected in a babysitter job description?
There is no specific qualification required for a babysitter working in a private home. However many babysitters do have relevant qualifications or certifications. The types of qualifications that are valuable to ensure high level of childcare safety include
- CPR
- First Aid certification
- Background check
- Drivers license and clean driving record
- Qualifications for specific skills such as anaphylaxis management
- A babysitting certificate (e.g., American Red Cross)
- Nanny courses through educational institutions
- Early Childhood Education qualifications
Should babysitting experience be stated in a job description?
Parents should specify the amount of babysitting experience they expect. If you have a baby or toddler you may require a carer with more experience, who has more knowledge and can handle more challenging tasks. If you have older children your babysitter may not need as much experience.
Where can I use the babysitter job description?
You can use an abbreviated version of the job description for your job ad online. You can use a longer version of the job description when you are interviewing and employing candidates. Send a copy of the babysitter job description to the candidates before interviewing to ensure they understand the requirements of the role. During the interview you can refer to the job description to guide your questions.
What are the benefits of writing a babysitter job description?
A detailed babysitter job description can help you in several ways.
- Find the best babysitter: it will help you find the perfect match for your family more easily. A great job description will clarify your needs. This will then assist you in shortlisting and selecting the right person who can meet or exceed your requirements.
- Orientation: a great job description can also be used when you are training your new babysitter. You can use it as a checklist to run through the daily tasks and expectations.
- Performance management: Occasionally the babysitter is not the right match for the role. In this situation it’s always helpful to be able to refer to the details in the job description to explain what’s required.
How do I make my job description stand out from the rest?
Feel free to inject personality and humor into your job ad to make it sparkle. There are hundreds of babysitting job ads online so it’s crucial to make your ad stand out! Personalize your job description to showcase why your family would be wonderful to work for. What makes your family different from others in your area? Are your children outdoorsy? Or love music? Or art? This will help you attract more attention and the right applicants for your role.
What should be in the title of a babysitter job description?
Craft a title that has enough information to entice the babysitters to click through! If it’s too short (e.g., ‘help needed!’) it won’t be engaging enough. Write a phrase that states the type of role and days or hours needed. E.g. ‘Lovely nanny needed 2 days/wk for 2 beautiful children!’ Or ‘Seeking sitter for occasional weeknights for 1 toddler’
What makes a poor babysitter job description?
A poor quality job ads is usually:
- Missing some key elements, for example the exact hours required, the pay rate, or the number and ages of the children. Babysitters often don’t apply to roles where there’s uncertainty. So always remember to clearly state the hourly rate and the days or hours of the job in your babysitter job description!
- The job ad fails to state WIIFM ('What's In It For Me’)! This well-known marketing tactic is important to tell others why the offer is ideal for them. Every job ad should aim to include details about why the babysitter would enjoy the role. What’s in it for them? The children’s personalities? The location? The pay rate? Make sure you include the reasons a babysitter would love your family and the role!
How long is a babysitter job description?
We recommend keeping it short and sweet for an online ad. Approximately 10 sentences is usually long enough for a brief description to attract interest. We suggest using a longer version with the full job description to share with candidates who apply. A full babysitter job description is usually 1-page in length.
Examples of Babysitter Job Descriptions
1. Short version for online ads
Seeking Fabulous Babysitter for Two Children on Thursdays
Looking for the perfect part-time job? We’re seeking a wonderful babysitter for 2 gorgeous children, aged 3 & 4, on Thursdays between 9am - 5pm.
The children are playful, energetic and love the outdoors.
The position involves
- providing safe age-appropriate activities for the children,
- trips to the local park,
- preparing healthy snacks and meals
- light housekeeping.
You must have 1 year of experience and a valid background check. First aid and CPR skills preferred. Successful applicants must have a genuine love for children, excellent communication skills and be reliable and responsible.
Pay rate is $20/hr.
Please send a message to apply. We look forward to hearing from you!
2. Long version
Seeking Fabulous Babysitter for Two Children on Thursdays
Summary: Are you looking for the perfect part-time babysitting job? We’re seeking a wonderful, reliable and experienced sitter to care for our children (3 and 4 years old) for one day per week. Ideally a Thursday 9am - 5pm, or another day by agreement. The job offers a great opportunity for carers who enjoy spending time with children and creating a safe and engaging environment for them. The key responsibilities are taking the children to the park, providing healthy meals and performing light housekeeping tasks.
Responsibilities:
- Supervise and ensure the safety of the children one day per week - ideally Thursdays 9am-5pm.
- Engage the children in age and developmentally appropriate activities, indoors and outdoors.
- Take the children to the local park for outdoor activities.
- Prepare and serve healthy snacks and meals for the children.
- Complete light housekeeping tasks related to the children, including tidying up the kitchen and play areas.
- Assist with potty training and other age appropriate milestones.
- Follow daily routines and any guidelines provided by the parents.
- Maintain open and effective communication with the parents about the children’s activities, health and behavior.
- Use the communication book provided to record relevant notes for handover (e.g., nap times or food and drink consumed) during the shift.
Requirements:
- Minimum 1 year of experience in babysitting or childcare.
- Valid and current background check.
- Genuine love for children and interest in their development.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to work well with both the children and parents.
- Ability to engage the children in activities and provide a safe and positive environment.
- Reliable and responsible.
- Knowledge of CPR and First Aid for children.
Hourly rate is $20/hr, based on your experience and qualifications.
If you meet the requirements above and are passionate about working with children we’d love to hear from you! Please send a message introducing yourself. If you are shortlisted we will require a resume and references.