How To Become A Babysitter?
Babysitting or nannying can be a great part-time job, full-time job or side gig to earn extra money. Read on for our tips about how to become a babysitter!
Tips on how to Become a Babysitter
Being a babysitter can be such a meaningful and rewarding role. Babysitting and nannying suits lots of people, from college students, to career nannies, to more others wanting part-time or full-time nanny jobs.
The types of roles vary widely based on what different families need. Roles may include before school care, daytime nannying, after school care and night time babysitting. There are also other roles including overnight babysitting jobs, house manager roles, newborn baby specialist jobs or au pair positions.
Here are some handy tips that will help you become a babysitter:
What are the qualifications to become a babysitter?
You don't need any formal qualifications to become a great babysitter or nanny. It is helpful if you have relevant experience or a certification. e.g, First Aid training or childcare experience. To get started there are some great babysitting courses you can complete. For example the Red Cross offers a range of classes that cover babysitting and childcare skills.
What skills do I need to be a babysitter?
To be the best babysitter you need relevant skills, knowledge, character and competence. Plus lots of kindness, patience, common sense and energy! Here are the key skills we recommend:
| Interpersonal skills | Sitters need to be able to relate well to children and their parents. This includes communicating, listening and having a positive attitude. Great interpersonal skills are the foundation of a successful working relationship. |
| Practical childcare skills | It’s important to possess knowledge and skills in caring for children. Each age and stage requires specific skills e.g.,how to change a diaper, how to settle a baby to sleep, how to prepare a bottle of formula. |
| Organizational skills | Excellent organizational skills are always useful when caring for children. A few hours of childcare requires lots of planning and organizing! If you’re well organized the time spent babysitting will run smoothly. |
| Time management skills | If you have good time management skills it will help you cope well with all the duties of the role, including the children’s activities, meal times, sleep times and other child-related tasks. |
| Observational skills | If you are able to observe the children carefully you'll be able to learn, understand, anticipate and respond to their needs appropriately. |
| Problem-solving skills | Problem-solving skills are always useful for babysitting. This will help you find underlying causes of problems and come up with solutions! |
| Responsibility | This is a crucial skill when caring for children. Babysitters and nannies must take full responsibility and be fully focused while on the job. |
| Safety skills | The safety and wellbeing of the children is of vital importance. Carers must always have appropriate knowledge and skills to ensure children are safe. |
| Reliability | Reliability is crucial in childcare. It’s important to be reliable and attend every shift on time and prepared for work. |
| Adaptability | It’s important to be flexible and adaptable when caring for children. Often change happens (nap time is shorter/longer, food preferences change, weather changes) and you need to adapt and change plans accordingly. |
What character traits are parents looking for in a sitter?
Babysitters need to be responsible, trustworthy and genuinely enjoy caring for children.
Additionally there are a range of other traits that parents value when choosing a sitter. It depends on the family, their children, their needs and their values. Some parents might be seeking a babysitter with a second language, or with certain skills like playing music, art, sport or dance.
Here are some character traits that are helpful for being a great sitter:
- Trustworthy
- Loving
- Caring
- Kind
- Honest
- Curious
- Optimistic
- Thoughtful
- Patient & calm
- Empathetic
- Energetic
- Playful
Do I need experience to be a babysitter?
Most parents are looking for sitters or nannies with some experience. The type of experience can include any work with children. This may include babysitting family members, undertaking volunteer work, raising your own children or helping coach a team. If you don’t have babysitting experience, we know that you need to start somewhere! Some parents will be happy to engage a babysitter without experience if you’re open to learning, getting supervision and feedback.
What First Aid courses are recommended for babysitting?
A First Aid or CPR Course is valuable for parents, babysitters and nannies. This will help you confidently handle any medical situation that arises, whether it's a bee sting, a scraped knee or an allergy. There are a range of first aid and CPR training courses available, both in-person and online. We recommend looking at courses with reputable organizations like the Red Cross.
What checks do I need to be a babysitter?
Babysitters working in private homes are not required to have any formal checks. Most families, however, choose babysitters who have a ‘background check’. Babysitters can order a background check for themselves and take this to interviews. We recommend ordering the background check yourself directly, instead of handing over confidential information to another person to do the check on your behalf (to keep your information confidential).
How do I get a Background Check as a babysitter?
Background checks are available through a number of services online. We recommend that you choose a company that complies with the Fair Credit Reporting Act. We can suggest USA Background Checks for a Basic Package for $19.95 (This is not a sponsored ad, we do not have any affiliation with them).
How much does a Background Check cost?
The cost of a background check depends on the type and extent of the check completed. A basic background check usually costs between $20 - $75.
Are checks displayed on my profile on The Best Babysitters?
We have a check box for you to tick to confirm you have a Background Check, or not. This tells the parents that you have a Background Check available to show them at interviews. The Best Babysitters site does not conduct or collect background checks though, as we are not your employer. It is up to you to arrange your Background Check privately. This is to ensure that you keep your information confidential. Please take a copy of your Background Check to interviews to show the parents in person.
Do I need a car and a driver's license to be a babysitter?
No, you don't need a car or a license, unless it’s required for the role. There are lots of after school babysitting jobs where children need to be picked up from school and driven to activities. So it can be helpful to have a car and a license. In some situations families might offer the use of their car (fitted with appropriate child seats), so sometimes a license is all you'll need.
Do I need references to get a babysitting job?
Yes, it’s important to have references to show parents during or after your interviews. Be prepared and ask two referees if they’re willing to be listed as a contact on your resume. If you don't have any babysitting experience get a reference from an adult who knows you well. This might be a past school teacher or a coach.
Can a babysitter be male or female?
Yes, males and females make great sitters. A majority of babysitters happen to be female, but a percentage are male and are valued and skilled carers too. We welcome you to join The Best Babysitters and offer your babysitting services, whether you are male or female.
At what age can I be a babysitter?
Most states don’t have a law about the minimum age to babysit. There are usually guidelines about how old a child needs to be to be left at home alone. This ranges from 6 - 14 years of age. For example in Illinois it’s 14 years of age. In Minnesota there’s no specified age. In Washington it’s 10 years of age. This age limit is a guideline for how old a babysitter needs to be. i.e. if a child cannot be left home alone at the age of 14 (in Illinois) then they are not able to babysit. Parents must make decisions that are based on child safety and wellbeing, when choosing a babysitter. So this may vary based on the babysitter's maturity and the demands of the role. The Best Babysitters has a policy that babysitters registering on our site are 18 years and older.
How can I gain experience as a babysitter?
Ask family and friends whether they'd like your assistance. Let them know that you'd like some guidance to build up your skills and experience. Many parents will be delighted to have a helper! Another option is to offer to help care for children at your local church during services.
Do I need a resume to become a babysitter?
It is ideal to have a resume ready to take to interviews with parents. Your resume doesn't need to be too long. It just has to provide enough information for the parents to verify some details about your full name, your age, address, qualifications and experience. Having a resume ready will also show parents that you are organized and enthusiastic.
Do I need insurance as a babysitter?
If you’re a babysitter working occasionally in a family home you don’t need insurance. You will be covered under standard homeowner policies. If you’re employed as a nanny, then the parents become your employer and they are responsible for insurance coverage that may include health, workers compensation, liability and motor vehicle.
Where can I find babysitting or nanny jobs?
There are a few ways to find babysitting jobs.
- Family and friends: When you are starting out you might choose to ask family or friends if they’d like help with childcare. Offer to babysit for a lower hourly rate in exchange for the parents’ support in showing you how to care for children well. Be open about the fact that you’d like to learn the ropes! Ask if you can ‘shadow’ the parent for a few babysitting shifts. Learning on the job in real life is the best way to build your knowledge, skills and experience!
- Local community: Once you’ve gained some experience you might choose to reach out to other families in your street, neighborhood or church. Parents are often looking for help and will appreciate finding a babysitter who lives nearby.
- We welcome you to join The Best Babysitters if you’re 18 years of age and older! It’s free to join our site. You’ll find lots of wonderful families and babysitting jobs through the job postings online, job alert emails and messages from parents.
We wish you all the best as you learn how to become a babysitter and build a rewarding babysitting career!