Finding affordable and reliable childcare is a challenge for most parents, so the market for good babysitters is growing all the time. Whether you’re a student or already have a full-time job, babysitting is a great way of earning some money on the side and can be very fulfilling if you enjoy being around Children. If you’re interested in becoming a Babysitter, here’s what you need to do. 
 

Analyze your suitability 

Make sure you’re the right kind of person to be a babysitter. Do you actually like kids? Or are you just looking for a quick way to make money? Babysitting can be a great way of picking up extra cash but if you aren’t comfortable around children, it’s a recipe for disaster. 
 

Most states don’t have a minimum legal age for babysitters, but you’ll find that few parents are comfortable leaving their kids with anyone under the age of 12. Once you hit 14, you should be able to get hired as a babysitter no problem. If you’re an adult, then this is of course not a worry at all. 
 

Ask yourself if you are mature enough to responsible for someone else’s children, and can you handle the pressure? Do you have experience with children, and would you know what to do in an emergency? These are all important questions to ask before considering becoming a babysitter. 
 

Qualifications and training 

It’s not necessary to have any qualifications to become a babysitter, but it’s worth considering if you want to stand out from the rest of the crowd. Nothing is more precious to parents than their children so anything that makes them more likely to trust you is a good thing. And it’s not all about impressing the parents – you might feel a lot more comfortable yourself if you know baby CPR, or how to cut a grape so that a toddler won’t choke on it. Reach out to your local community college for childcare qualifications or contact the American Red Cross to see if you can get a place on one of their first aid and babysitting courses. 
 

Figure out your business model

Having a business model might sound quite serious for a babysitting job but regardless of how casual your arrangement is, there are still some basics that you need to figure out before you get started. First of all, deciding your rates is key. What are other babysitters in your area charging? Are you as qualified or experienced as them? Adapt your price accordingly. 
 

Once you know your rates, you need to pick you working hours. Are you happy to stay until 3am if the parents are out late? Are you free in the day to look after the child while their mom goes grocery shopping? There are loads of different reasons why parents hire a babysitter so be aware of what the demand in your area is. 

Lastly, look at your travel arrangements. Do you require being dropped home, or will you work in travel expenses to your overall fees? The answer to these questions might mean you have a geographical limit on where you can work, so make sure you don’t advertise your services outside of what’s feasible. 
 

How to get work as a babysitter

The final step on your journey to becoming a babysitter is to actually get work, which can be both easiest and most difficult stage, depending on your luck. If you have any family members or friends with children, ask if they need any help childminding or babysitting to gain experience. They might even be able to recommend you to other people they know, expanding your pool of clients that way.

You can get flyers made and spread them around your neighborhood. Put them in mailboxes, religious places of worship, or even hand them out personally to parents at the playground. Some schools and daycare centers might be happy for you to advertise your services in their reception, but always check first.