How to become a Babysitter
Nobody hires a babysitter off a resume alone. Parents hire the person a neighbour vouched for, the one who showed up to the meet-and-greet with a first aid card and asked about bedtime. Getting in is mostly about building that trust fast, then keeping the families you earn.
What sets babysitting apart from nannying
A nanny works a set schedule for one family, often full time. You don't. Babysitting is occasional and short: a Friday date night, a school half day, a few hours while a parent works from the kitchen table. That means you're usually walking into a home you've seen once or twice, with kids who are still sizing you up. You also juggle several families at once, so your calendar and your phone matter more than any single job. The upside is freedom. You pick your evenings and turn down what doesn't suit you. The downside is that the work is lumpy. Some weekends are booked solid, then a family moves or the kids age out, and your steady Thursday disappears without warning.
Four ways sitters land their first families
Word of mouth from people who already know you
Tell the parents you already know that you're taking sitting jobs: a teacher, a coach, the family down the street, a parent from your place of worship. Offer a short trial evening while a parent is home, so they can watch how you handle bath time. One happy family usually passes your name around their group chat, and that's how most sitters fill a calendar.
Profiles on babysitting apps and sites
Sites like Care.com, Sittercity and UrbanSitter let parents search by neighbourhood and read reviews. Fill out every field, use a clear, friendly photo, and list the ages you've cared for and any training you hold. Expect to agree to a background check through the platform. Reply to messages quickly, because parents often book whoever answers first.
Training course plus a community board
Take a babysitting course from the American Red Cross or a local hospital, then post a flyer or a short note on a neighbourhood forum like Nextdoor or a local parents' Facebook group. The course gives you something concrete to point to when you don't have references yet. It's the best route for teenagers starting from scratch.
Childcare experience you already have
If you've worked as a camp counselor, a daycare aide, a swim instructor or a church nursery volunteer, lead with it. Parents read that as proof you've handled a room of tired, hungry kids. Ask a supervisor from that role to be a reference, and mention the setting by name when you message families.
Words that show up in sitter postings
Parents and platforms filter by these exact terms, so use the same words in your profile instead of your own phrasing.
The meet-and-greet is the real interview
Most families want to see you with their kids before they leave you alone with them. Get on the floor and play. Ask about allergies, screen time rules, what happens if the toddler won't sleep, and where they keep the first aid kit. Parents notice those questions far more than anything you say about yourself. Bring a printed list of references with phone numbers, and follow up the same evening with a short thank-you text. It feels old-fashioned. It still books jobs.
What wears sitters down
The pay is fine by the hour, but the hours are scattered, so it's hard to count on as a main income. Parents come home late more often than they admit. Some families quietly expect you to wash every dish and fold the laundry for the same rate. Set your terms early, in writing, even if that's just a text: your rate, your late-return fee, and what's included. The sitters who last treat it like a small business, not a favour.
Turning sitting into a resume line
Babysat for neighbours.
Provided evening and weekend care for 4 families (ages 8 months to 11 years), running bedtime, school pickup and homework help. Rebooked by 2 families for 3 years; current Red Cross Pediatric First Aid/CPR.
What Babysitter postings ask for
Hiring the most
- Wellthy Care Network66
- TLCForKidsInc2
- blackberryfarm.wd108/Blackberry1
Remote
0% of openings are fully remote.
Questions people ask
Do I need a license to babysit?
Usually not for occasional care in the family's own home. Licensing rules tend to kick in when you watch children from several families in your own home on a regular basis, which counts as home daycare in many places. Rules vary by state, so check with your state's childcare licensing office if you plan to sit at your place.
How old do you have to be to start babysitting?
There's usually no single legal age for sitting in someone else's home, and guidance varies by state and by what the parents are comfortable with. Younger teens tend to start with short daytime jobs for neighbours, often with a parent close by. Apps and sites set their own minimum age, so read their rules before signing up.
Is a babysitting course worth it?
Yes, especially when you're new. A Red Cross babysitting course or a pediatric first aid and CPR class teaches you what to do when a child chokes or spikes a fever. It also gives parents a reason to pick you over someone with no references. It's the cheapest trust you can buy.
How do I decide what to charge?
Look at what sitters near you list on the apps, then adjust for what you bring. More kids, infants, late nights, driving, pets and special needs care all justify charging more. The pay figure on this page gives you a starting point. Tell families your rate up front instead of letting them name one.
Ready to apply?
Tell HeroApply you want Babysitter roles. It finds the openings and applies for you each day.