Babysitting is a career that most people have decided to venture into, one of the reasons might be because of the control you have over your time and the flexibility involved in the job.

But before you begin a career in babysitting, it is important for you to be armed with the necessary information to help you succeed in the profession. This guide promises to deliver the need information on babysitting and how you can command a higher rate and earn more from the job.

• What is Babysitting
• What Does a Babysitter Do
• Babysitting Qualification
• How to Command a Higher Rate as a Babysitter
• Babysitting Rates in the US
• How Much to Charge for Babysitting Multiple Kids
• How to Babysit an Autistic Child
• How to Babysit a Sick Child

What is Babysitting

Babysitting is temporarily caring for a child. Babysitting can be a paid job for all ages; however, it is best known as a temporary activity for young teenagers who are too young to be eligible for employment in the general economy. It provides autonomy from parental control and spending money, as well as an introduction to the techniques of child care.

What Does a Babysitter Do

Common Babysitter duties listed on the most successful sample resumes include ensuring a safe environment, preparing and giving meals, bathing and dressing children, administering medicine, doing housework, and disciplining children when necessary.

If you are proficient in any of the above duties, you might excel in the babysitting profession. But how exactly do you get started?

Babysitting Qualification

Take Babysitting Training and Courses

The Red Cross offers its own babysitting course in North America, Australia, and the U.K. It’s one of the most established and trusted training courses for babysitting in the world. Additionally, other well-known organizations and private companies have their own courses available.

The training is typically structured as a one-day session that takes approximately six hours in total to complete. In some areas, it is beginning to be offered as an online course.

Taking specialized classes will help you to become a more knowledgeable and professional babysitter, and enable you to stand apart from other sitters. In addition, the more training, skills, and experience you have, the more you will be able to charge for your babysitting services.

We recommend that all new babysitters between 11 and 15 years of age should definitely complete some form of babysitter training.

If you’re 16 years or older and don’t want to be in a babysitting class with younger teens, the Red Cross Advanced Child Care Training might be ideal for you. It’s designed more for older teens and adult sitters. It offers much of the same content, but the way the information is taught has been adjusted for a different age group.

A babysitting course will teach you things such as:

• How to deal with difficult behaviors, for example when a child isn’t obeying you
• How to conduct yourself professionally as a babysitter and communicate with parents
• When it’s appropriate to call 911 versus a parent
• How to handle medical emergencies like asthma attacks or bee stings

Taking a babysitting course will give you confidence. When you walk into your first babysitting job, you’ll feel assured that you already know the types of situations that might arise and how best to handle them.

Be Proficient with CPR and First Aid

CPR and First Aid courses are most commonly taught around the world by the Red Cross and St. John Ambulance. Just like babysitting courses, there may be other institutions offering similar training depending on where you live. For example, your local hospital, fire station, or YMCA may offer their own course.

Having the knowledge and skills necessary in the case of a medical emergency may literally make the difference between life and death.

A First Aid course will help you to recognize, prevent, and respond to emergencies and accidents such as dehydration, choking, and concussions. You’ll also learn how to treat everything from minor scrapes and bruises all the way to broken bones. CPR is a life-saving skill in the case of a cardiac arrest or if a child suddenly chokes or becomes unconscious.

Many parents won’t even consider hiring babysitters who don’t have first aid training or CPR. So it is instrumental in the development of your career.

Certifications for first aid and CPR are usually only valid for about two years, so you’ll need to take refresher courses to keep your skills up to date.

Your initial in-class time will usually be about 14 hours the first time that you take the course and will be split across multiple days. Your refresher course should only take about 3 to 6 hours.

Driver’s License

Having a valid driver’s license and a clean driving record can give you access to higher-paying babysitting opportunities.

Parents will pay more for the convenience of having you pick their kids up from school or drive them to and from piano lessons. In addition to running errands for the family, you’ll be able to take kids on outings to zoos, museums, and parks while they’re in your care.

If you don’t have your license yet, visit your nearest Department of Transport, DMV, or regional equivalent to get the information and instruction you’ll need to take your exam.

Working With Children Check (WWCC)

In Australia, if you’re over 18 years of age and doing anything beyond unpaid babysitting for family and friends, then you’ll need a Working With Children Check. The UK has a similar requirement, although the US and Canada do not.

A Working With Children Check screens criminal records across all Australian states and territories, as well as professional conduct findings and determinations by various institutions. It also includes ongoing monitoring of any applicants who pass the check.

You’ll need to apply and wait about three weeks for your application to be approved. Each check is valid for five years unless revoked.

Criminal Background Check

The most common type of background check is a criminal record check, which you can obtain from your local police station. This report will show if you’ve ever been charged with or convicted of a crime.

In Canada, if you’re dealing with children under 18 years of age or anyone with a physical or mental disability, you should also ask for a Vulnerable Sector Check, which reveals if a person has a record suspension (pardon) for any sexual offenses.

Identification

Parents will usually want to see some kind of identification, such as a driver’s license, passport, or social security card to confirm your identity, particularly if you’re over 18 years old.

Bring a government-issued ID with you to babysitting interviews or whenever you babysit for a new family for the first time.

Babysitting References

References are another type of background qualification that parents will often want to see before hiring a babysitter. Even if you were referred to them by a family member or friend that they trust, they might still request to take a look at any you might have, or speak to them directly.

If you don’t have any parent references, then it might be best to babysit for free for friends and family a few times to get some.

Parents will follow up with contacts that you provide as references. So be sure to include families you’ve babysat for in the past, and others who know you and will give a positive review.

Social Media

Anything that you make publicly available on Facebook or Instagram is fair game for parents to use as a background check! Assume any parent you babysit for is going to do a Google search of your name before hiring you.

So you may want to remove any photos from your social media that feature you drinking or partying since they could give parents a bad impression. Or at least set them to private!

If you’re already friends on social media with the parents that you plan to babysit for (this might be the case if they’re a friend of the family or neighbor), then you may want to go back and clean up your profile more thoroughly.

Early Childhood Education

Getting a diploma or degree in early childhood education is not only a big commitment, but it can really boost your level of expertise and the amount that you can charge per hour of babysitting.

Most ECE certificates take between 6 and 9 months of full-time study. However, many parents will pay even more for an ECE student who is still in school. It shows you are serious about childcare and already have some education on the topic.

Taking an ECE course is a great way to transition from a teenage job babysitting into teaching, working at a daycare, or becoming a full-time nanny or home childcare provider.

Foreign Language Skills

If you speak a second language, you open yourself up to a wider range of potential babysitting clients. Many families may speak a language other than English at home and are looking for a babysitter who speaks the same language or comes from the same culture as they do.

In Canada, approximately 21% of people speak French as their first language. So depending on what area of the country you live in, being able to speak French could be a huge benefit. Particularly in Quebec, New Brunswick, and northern Ontario.

In the United States, Spanish is the second most-spoken language, with over 40 million people speaking primarily Spanish at home. This is especially prevalent in southern states near the border with Mexico.

In Australia, the proximity to Asian countries means that a considerable number of citizens speak Mandarin, Cantonese, or Vietnamese at home.

In England, Polish is the next most spoken language after English and Welsh, followed by Indian and Pakistani languages such as Urdu, Punjabi, and Gujarati.

If you already know a second language, it’s a strong extra skill to add to your babysitting resume. If not, it’s easier than ever to begin learning new languages by using free apps such as Duolingo. I use Duolingo to learn Japanese and I love it!

Only minimal qualifications are required to get started babysitting, but there are many other useful credentials to gain. To take your skills to the next level, enroll in courses that will put you ahead of the competition.

How to Command a Higher Rate as a Babysitter

No matter your level in the babysitting profession, at some point you will need to negotiate your rate with clients. Talking about money is awkward and stressful for most new babysitters, especially if you’re only a teenager and trying to negotiate pricing with an adult.

If you price yourself too high, you might miss out on some jobs. But if you charge too little, you’re selling yourself short and could miss out on hundreds of dollars that the family would’ve been willing to pay you.

Do some research upfront to find the average babysitting rate is in your area, decide on a minimum amount that you’re willing to accept, then practice what you’re going to say during your conversation with the parents in advance. Be sure to mention your qualifications and experience to justify your rate.

With the various training and certifications you have acquired, getting a high rate should not be a problem. Keep the following information in mind when negotiating.

• The minimum wage for a babysitter
• Should you charge by the hour or is there a flat rate?
• Figure out the minimum amount you can accept
• Research what babysitters get paid in your area
• Build up your credentials

Babysitting Rates in the US

According to the latest data from UrbanSitter, here is the average rate for one child in these major areas

Babysitting Rate in Australia

An entry-level Babysitter with less than 1-year experience can expect to earn an average total compensation (includes tips, bonus, and overtime pay) of AU$17.86 based on 32 salaries. An early career Babysitter with 1-4 years of experience earns an average total compensation of AU$19.35 based on 181 salaries.

A mid-career Babysitter with 5-9 years of experience earns an average total compensation of AU$20.07 based on 72 salaries. An experienced Babysitter with 10-19 years of experience earns an average total compensation of AU$20.40 based on 32 salaries. In their late-career (20 years and higher), employees earn an average total compensation of AU$20.

How Much to Charge for Babysitting Multiple Kids

Watching more children is overall more work. There are more messes to clean up, more temper tantrums, and generally more duties to be performed

But dealing with two children isn’t twice as much work as dealing with one. You do get a bit of efficiency from dealing with multiple kids at once.

As a general rule, you can charge an extra $1 or $2 per hour to your rate for each extra child you’re watching. So if you normally charge $11 per hour to watch one child, you can charge $12 or $13 per hour to watch two children.

How Much Can You Pay A Teenage Babysitter

There’s not one typical babysitting rate for teenagers. Your babysitting fees will be determined by many variables:

• Location
• Number of children
• The amount of time you’ll be sitting
• Your experience, to name a few

How to Babysit an Autistic Child

Babysitting is not an easy job, it even becomes more difficult when you are babysitting an autistic child. Here is why. Autistic children think and process information differently than typical kids. 

They can be charming and exceptional, which makes it interesting to spend time with them. Depending on where the child falls on the autism spectrum, they will have varying abilities and communication levels. Therefore, you should be aware of their needs and take the time to prepare. Here is what you should do.

Learn About Autism

The more you understand the condition, the easier it will be for you, and the more comfortable you will be when caring for the child. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has the potential to greatly impact a child’s development. It is known as a spectrum disorder because kids can be anywhere on the autism spectrum, meaning some are more affected and have more of the characteristic behavior patterns than others.

Kids with the disorder start showing symptoms from an early age. They may not be recognized, however, until toddlerhood. The symptoms usually will, to some extent, continue into the adult years.

Although ASD doesn’t have a cure yet, there is hope for improved functioning in all areas through treatment and early intervention. The aim is to help children to interact and communicate with others.

Plan a Pre-Babysitting Visit

It is essential to observe how parents interact with the child. Request to visit the family before the scheduled babysitting day so that you can familiarize yourself with the child’s home environment and interactions with family.

You can take this opportunity to ask any questions with regards to the care you should give. If you have some games planned out for the babysitting day, discuss them with the parents, and see if they might have the relevant toys and tools you will need.

Learn the Child’s Specific Requirements

Ask the parents about their child’s behavior patterns, communication, and preferences. For example:

• What are their child’s routines and rules? Request that the parents write them down so that you can remember and stick to the rules. Some kids might get upset if their routine is interrupted.
• Does their child have a restricted diet? Many kids with ASD don’t eat a variety of foods. They often have difficulty with different textures and colors of food. Take time to understand the child’s diet and follow it.
• What is the best way to interact with their child? Some children with autism cannot speak clearly and prefer nonverbal communication.
• How do you work through problems? Ask the parents what kinds of things tend to upset their child, and what they do to calm them when that happens.
• Who do I contact in case of an emergency? Request the parents to list medical conditions that the child may suffer from and their symptoms. Ask how can they tell when their child has a stomach ache or is in pain. You should know what medications they are on and when they take them. Also, find out how you can get help if any issues come up.

Follow the Child’s Familiar Daily Routine

Autistic children need routines, structure, and predictability. And the fact that they are not used to being around you means that there could be some initial resistance. Since you are an unfamiliar person, the child may feel like their routine has been interrupted.

Don’t take it personally if the child ignores you or gets upset by your presence. Eventually, when he or she gets comfortable, the interaction will get easier. That is why you should arrive at least an hour early so that you can make a connection with the kid before the parents leave.

Respect the Common Needs of Children with Autism

Here are some general guidelines to follow when babysitting a child with autism:

• Show your caring and interest by engaging with them when you can. But avoid patting them on the back or hugging them, as many children with autism do not like to be touched.
• Be patient and understand that it might take some time for the child to become comfortable around you.
• Understand that many children with autism avoid eye contact, so don’t force it if you can see that it makes them uncomfortable.
• Be positive and patient at all times.
• Take it slow at first. Ensure that your approach suits the kid.
• Ignore irritating and attention-seeking behavior.
• Allow the child to approach you first and then take the lead.
• Be respectful of their way of doing things.
• Be consistent in your greeting. Do it how the parents do it, and maintain it every time you see them so that the kid knows what to expect from you.

Connect with the Child

As a babysitter, a caring, emotional connection with the child you are sitting for will make the time you spend together exciting and filled with happy moments. This may look different for a child on the autism spectrum. Here are some fantastic tips on how to build a personal relationship with a child that has ASD.

Learn to self-regulate

Self-regulation is the ability to be aware of your emotions and manage them. If you lack this inner awareness, you might fall prey to reacting to circumstances rather than responding appropriately. In that case, you might lose your “cool,” which makes it harder for you and the child. Do simple exercises like stretching and breathing to calm yourself and allow you to think before you react.

Less communication means more connection

Consider yourself on a “word budget.” Imagine what you want to communicate and then use minimal words to deliver the message. It will make it easier to connect with the child. After saying something, allow him or her some time to process the information you just conveyed. Don’t expect them to look at you or respond right away. Slow your rate of speech too. You will be shocked at how much impact these tips can have on the little one.

Go slow on power struggles

Do you remember the last time you argued with someone? Things got heated, and emotions escalated. As a babysitter, it is crucial to understand that the child has his or her opinions too. Although you are there to offer guidance, sometimes just let the child be. That way, you will reduce their frustration level and increase happiness in the interaction.

It’s never that serious

You don’t have to be playing or engaging directly in activities with the child. It is okay to just “be” with the little one. With some kids, you may need to sit on the couch and do nothing or say nothing. Take some time to observe the child and learn what makes him or her feel comfortable and what doesn’t. When you are both in a relaxed state, it will be easier to make an emotional connection, and babysitting will be much easier for you.

Engage Kids with Autism in Active Play

Since kids with ASD have a harder time engaging in interactive play, you may have to put in more effort to convince them to play with you.

Make the unknown familiar

It is advisable to play games that the child is used to. However, if the parents allow you to introduce new activities, don’t rush. For instance, if you want to teach the kid how to play with a ball, place it on the table first for a while. Next, toss it around a little yourself. Once you are sure that the child is accustomed to the idea of using a ball, you can teach them how to play with it.

Celebrate small successes

Don’t shy away from celebrating the moments and interactions throughout the day, no matter how small they seem. Whenever the child does something well, applaud them for it. When you do this, they will realize that playing together and behaving well brings beneficial results, and they will be happy to spend time with you.

If things don’t go well the first time, try again

If your planned activity doesn’t work out as well as you had hoped, don’t get discouraged. Try playing the game again, and your luck might be better the next time you try it. Consider how you can adapt or make adjustments to certain minor aspects of the activity to make it more interesting than the first time.

Incorporate “favorites” into any activity

Children with ASD have events, characters, or items in which they may show a very strong interest. Be sure to make good use of the things they prefer by including them actively in any endeavor or activity you are promoting to engage them.

Find out from the parents what the child loves and use it in your interactions and the games you play. For instance, if the little one likes animals, you can do yoga poses that mimic an animal or have them make animal sounds and you guess which animal it is.

Try Activities that Autistic Children Enjoy

Crafts

Many kids with autism are adept at building things ranging from small engines to alarm clocks. This skill is highly prized within the craft community. When you guide the child to engage in such activities, you will be fostering a talent that is natural for them, giving them a “win.” Knowing that they are good at something will come in handy for the future.

See our list of fun craft activities if you need some inspiration.

Animal care

If the child has a pet, this is the perfect opportunity to help him or her care for the animal. You can feed it together. You may also model for them how to play with it gently and safely. This can be instrumental in teaching them the value of interactions and thinking of others.

Video gaming

Considering that they come in a range of complexity, video games are for everyone who enjoys them. Very often, children on the autism spectrum will play video games quite happily. Find out what game they like playing and see if there is a way to enjoy it together. You can also request the parents to allow you to introduce a new game. Just ensure you introduce an appropriate one that doesn’t get the child worked up.

Anime

Most children with ASD enjoy watching anime, which is Japanese animation. Anime is a huge thing that is appreciated widely. You can watch, draw, or read anime.

Solving puzzles

Many autistic kids are exceptionally good at solving puzzles. Even those who depend primarily on nonverbal cues have an easy time putting together jigsaw puzzles. Ask the parents if this is something their child enjoys, and if it is, include it in your to-do list for the day.

Science fiction

If the child has an interest in a particular aspect of the universe, such as planets or stars, watching science fiction is a good idea. Ensure the science fiction video you watch is non-violent and meets the child’s developmental level.

Monitor Their Behavior

Most children with ASD show unusual behavior such as shouting, laughing, and crying for no apparent reason. Sometimes they may be obsessed with an item, and they might throw tantrums. However, it is crucial to understand that they are not doing this intentionally. That way, it will be easier for you to address these behaviors

Watch Out for Their Safety

Children with autism are usually unaware of the dangers in their environment. It is, therefore, your responsibility as the babysitter to remove all of the hazardous items from their surroundings.

Take the extra initiative to protect them even from the dangers that seem like common sense. Those include things like water temperature, water depth, confined spaces, and slippery slopes.

How to Babysit a Sick Child

Keep sick kids comfortable

To start with, get the house at the right temperature. If it’s cold, put the heater on. If it’s hot, open windows to let a light breeze through. Fresh air is better than air conditioning when you’re sick (if it’s not too hot.)

Make sure your little patient is dressed in soft and comfortable clothes, pajamas are perfect.

Comfortable house shoes are good too, and kids love wearing mom or dad’s slippers for fun, so let them.

Now it’s time to find a comfy place to hang out and rest. The bed is often the most comfortable place, but the couch has better entertainment options if they are up to it.

Build a pillow fort in the lounge room with cushions and blankets and let them camp out for the day.

Avoid outdoor play if it’s cold or wet, which can make symptoms worse.

Show Them a Lot of Love

Love is one of the best cures. Show sick kids how much you care, give lots of reassurance and check on them often.

Nurturing and TLC helps to reduce anxiety, and it makes little ones feel safe. Give a sick child lots of caring attention, and it can actually help them get better quicker.

Attend to their needs and take the time to listen. They will appreciate your presence, along with the extra patience and understanding.

Keep them updated. If you need to leave the room for 5 minutes, tell them you’ll be back soon. It’s really comforting for them to know their caregiver is close by.

Make them feel special. Treat them like a grown-up by allowing them to do more mature things such as drinking an herbal tea or having their meals on a breakfast-in-bed tray table outfitted with a folded napkin, special utensils, and maybe even a small flower in a vase.

And don’t forget…

Tell them you care about them and hope they feel better very soon. You might be thinking this, but it means a lot to actually say it.

Often, a sick child can become irritable and may misbehave because they feel bad, but please be easy on them.

Offer plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration

Always have a glass of water available and encourage drinking fluids throughout the day. Green and black tea with antioxidants can alleviate flu symptoms, try cooling it down a little before serving just to be safe.

Sports drinks with electrolytes help to replace more than lost fluids, and kids love them.

Avoid sugary drinks, like soft drinks and fruit juice, because they cause a spike in blood sugar followed by a crash that can be difficult to handle when you’re sick. Mix drinks together and create magic healing potions to make drinking fun.

Entertain sick kids with low-energy activities

Sick kids don’t have a lot of energy, so easy activities are the best entertainment options. Here are my favorites:

If your child is stuck in bed, then reading books can be a great option. Bring over their favourite stories and let them pick which ones they want to hear. Try replacing the main character’s name with your child’s name for added fun and engagement.

Look through old family photo albums and let them share memories from the past. Tell stories from when you were young.

Sing songs and nursery rhymes and do the actions together. Make their teddy or favorite toy dance along and see if you can get them to giggle.

If your child can get out of bed, there are a lot more options…

Drawing and crafts are great activities because they are fairly relaxed and you can create something beautiful together.

Try pretend play with toys, dolls, teddies, or action figures. Teach kids about being sick by pretending to be a “doctor” for their toy and can check their temperature, give them pretend medicine, and put them in bed to rest. This kind of play will help your child understand sickness and the recovery process.

For talkative kids, try video calling friends or family, Grandma or Grandpa would love to hear from them!

Importantly, try to avoid too much screen time. Computer games and TV can make a child feel socially isolated, which can prolong recovery

Avoid getting sick

Caring for a sick child often requires close contact, but that doesn’t mean you have to catch what they have.

Try these helpful tips to limit your exposure to germs:

• Avoid skin contact, such as touching your face with a contaminated hand, particularly around your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Wear a face mask if they’re coughing or sneezing a lot, and have them wear one too. Draw a smile or teeth on it if you want to be funny.
• Wear gloves when cleaning any sickness-related messes.
• And be sure to gargle at the slightest hint of a tender or scratchy throat to prevent any viruses or germs from taking hold

Follow instructions from parents when babysitting

Always ask parents for detailed instructions before starting a babysitting job with a sick child.

Both the sitter and parents should know what is expected of them, and have a line of communication that is best kept open at all times.

Get permission before giving medication or any type of treatment, and only use medicines that parents have directed you to use. Instructions for medications to be given by a sitter should always be in writing, so you don’t have to rely on your memory for the dose and when to give.

Let parents know if symptoms change, and reassure them that everything is under control.

Be prepared to take the child to the family Doctor if you are asked to.

Don’t be afraid to call if you have a question or you need help.

Call for help in an emergency

Always be safe, extra cautious, and don’t hesitate to call for help in an emergency situation.

Make sure you know the emergency number in your country:

Country	Emergency number
Australia	000
New Zealand	111
United Kingdom	999
Canada	911
United States	911

Finally

It’s considerably more challenging to watch a baby for a long period of time than a toddler. The signals can be hard to read. Sometimes babies are a dream to take care of, and other times your hair will fall out from sheer stress.

• Ease yourself into it. Start off with one-hour gigs. Then two hours. Then three. Etcetera. This will help you build up your confidence and ability to take care of little people that can’t talk.
• Also, keep in mind that every baby is different. Just because you took care of your baby sister a time or two, it doesn’t mean that you’re able to handle a totally different baby on your own.
• Make sure that your babysitting bag is well stocked and includes all of the vital information. Babies are delicate, and they need close attention. Be ready to handle any medical emergency that could come up, except for open-heart surgery, that is. A doctor should do that one.
• Ask the parents where everything is before they leave. This includes things like onesies, burping cloths, etc. Babies spit up all the time, and you’ll likely have to change their clothes to keep them comfortable.
• Don’t hold the baby above you with your mouth open. If you do, you’re asking for it.

If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed, don’t worry. If you start small and babysit for short periods of time, you’ll be able to ease yourself into it. When you feel up for it, give it a shot! It can be the easiest (or hardest) babysitting you’ve ever done.