Become a Babysitter | Earn $12 to $60 per hour

Are you interested in working with kids and seeking a flexible, rewarding career you can start from home?

Provide child care & babysitting services from home.

Babysitting offers the perfect opportunity to earn money, acquire valuable experience, and positively impact families’ lives—all from the comfort of your home. This guide will walk you through how to start a babysitting career, who it’s ideal for, and how much you can earn.

What Is Babysitting?

Babysitting involves taking care of children when their parents or guardians are unavailable. As a babysitter, you provide temporary supervision and provide children with care in a secure and nurturing environment. Responsibilities may include feeding, playing, helping with homework, putting children to bed, and ensuring their overall well-being while their parents are away.

Babysitting can be short-term (for just a few hours) or more regular, depending on the needs of the family. Many families rely on babysitters for evenings, weekends, or even after-school care.

What Is a Babysitter?

A babysitter is someone who is entrusted with the care of children while their parents or guardians are absent. Babysitters are responsible for ensuring the safety, happiness, and comfort of the children in their care. In addition to basic caregiving, babysitters often engage children in fun activities, help them with their routines, and offer emotional support.

Babysitters may work for multiple families or focus on long-term arrangements with one or two families. Many babysitters begin their careers while still in school or during their spare time, but it can also grow into a part-time or full-time job depending on the demand.

Who Is a Babysitting Career For?

A babysitting career is ideal for individuals who:

• Love working with children: If you enjoy spending time with children and are naturally able to relate to them, babysitting offers a rewarding way to work with children while helping parents.
• Have patience and empathy: Babysitting requires patience, understanding, and the ability to handle different personalities and energy levels. If you’re good at staying calm and nurturing, this career could be a great fit.
• Want flexibility: Babysitting offers a flexible work schedule that can be adjusted, as needed, to fit your availability. Whether you like to work during the day, on the weekends, or in the evenings, babysitting allows you to work on your own terms.
• Are responsible and trustworthy: Parents depend on babysitters to care for their children in their absence, so being reliable and responsible is crucial.
• Enjoy creative activities: Babysitting often involves coming up with engaging activities for kids. If you’re creative and love planning games, crafts, or educational activities, this career will be fulfilling.

How Much Can I Make?

A Babysitting Job Pays: $12 to $60 per hour based on number of kids you watch

Earnings as a babysitter depend on factors like location, experience, and the number of kids under your supervision. Here’s how much you could earn as a babysitter:

• Hourly Rates: On average, babysitters earn between $12 to $20 per hour, with rates often higher in larger cities. Babysitters with unique skills or experience (such as first-aid training or childcare certifications) may charge more, up to $25 per hour or higher.
• Weekly or Monthly Income: Depending on your schedule and availability, babysitting can provide a steady stream of income. For instance, if you put in twenty hours a week, at $15 per hour, you can earn $1,200 per month.
• Specialized Care: Babysitters who offer overnight care, help with homework, or care for multiple children at once can charge premium rates.

Many babysitters also expand their services into related areas like tutoring or after-school programs, which can further increase their earnings.

Where to Find Jobs

1. Care.com

Care.com is a global platform connecting caregivers with families seeking various services, including babysitting. It provides a large collection of job postings, allowing sitters to find opportunities that match their skills and availability.

Payouts: Rates vary based on location, experience, and job specifics; sitters set their own rates.

Requirements: Create a detailed profile highlighting experience, availability, and hourly rates. Background checks are optional but can enhance credibility.

Regions Available: Global.

How to Join:

1. Visit Care.com.
2. Sign up and create a caregiver profile.
3. Search and apply for babysitting jobs in your area.

2. Sittercity

Sittercity is a U.S.-based platform that connects babysitters with families. It offers tools for caregivers to showcase their qualifications and connect directly with potential clients.

Payouts: Sitters set their own rates; average pay is around $17.50 per hour, varying by location and experience.

Requirements: Create a profile detailing experience, certifications, and availability. Optional background checks can be completed to increase trustworthiness.

Regions Available: United States.

How to Join:

1. Go to Sittercity.
2. Register and build your sitter profile.
3. Browse and apply to babysitting jobs that fit your schedule.

3. UrbanSitter

UrbanSitter is a platform that leverages social connections to match babysitters with families. It emphasizes trust by showcasing sitters recommended by friends and community members.

Payouts: Sitters set their own rates; payments are processed through the platform.

Requirements: Complete a profile with experience, availability, and hourly rates. Background checks are encouraged to enhance profile visibility.

Regions Available: United States.

How to Join:

1. Visit UrbanSitter.
2. Sign up and create your caregiver profile.
3. Apply to jobs and connect with families in your network.

4. Bambino

Bambino is a community-based app that connects babysitters with local families through social networks. It simplifies the process by allowing parents to book sitters recommended by friends and neighbors.

Payouts: Sitters set their own rates; payments are handled through the app.

Requirements: Create a profile and receive at least one recommendation to start. Availability and rates should be updated regularly.

Regions Available: United States.

How to Join:

1. Download the Bambino app or visit Bambino.
2. Set up your profile and request a recommendation.
3. Start accepting babysitting requests from local families.

5. Helpr

Helpr is a platform that connects qualified babysitters with families in need of childcare services. It offers flexible scheduling and attractive pay for caregivers.

Payouts: Rates range from $21 to $30 per hour, depending on location and job specifics.

Requirements: At least two years of childcare experience with references. Background checks and interviews are part of the application process.

Regions Available: United States.

How to Join:

1. Visit Helpr.
2. Complete the application and provide necessary references.
3. Undergo background checks and interviews to become a certified Helpr.

These platforms offer various opportunities for babysitters to find flexible, home-based jobs. By creating detailed profiles and leveraging the tools provided, you can connect with families in need of childcare services. Remember to maintain professionalism and clear communication to build trust and secure consistent work.

Want to Start a Business?

Step 1: Build a Website

If you would like to start this career as a business, it is essential to know that the success of your babysitting business starts with you having an online presence, obviously. Your clients should be able to find you online, and a baby sitting website is exactly what you need…But what if you don’t know how to create one? Well, creating a website with no coding experience is easier than you think with Wix. Wix is our recommended easy-to-use web design platform for beginners, that gives you free domain names, email addresses, web design templates, and website hosting all in one place! Start building your Wix website in minutes!