How to make money online babysitting

 

Working as a babysitter is a fun way to make money as well as a way to grow your career as a student.

This is a popular way of making money among students or teenagers, allowing them to save some money for future use.

Sometimes it may be overlooked, but it’s a great way to make money online always. Mostly, the majority of young ones look for hospitality or hospital jobs, but babysitting is a great way to make money consistently.

In this post, you will learn the most information you need to learn to make the most of babysitting. Learn, how and take this opportunity to boost your career alongside making money.

Why should you consider babysitting?

It's important to ask why babysitting is a good option. On the brighter side, there are a lot of perks that come with babysitting. Only that, some aren’t as obvious compared to many other jobs.

What you need to know:

This is a well-paying work at home, and it offers flexibility that allows you to balance between other things.

It is a great way to improve your profile, as you can put your work experience on your resume, showing you are a responsible, trusted, and reliable individual.

This is an excellent opportunity if you are planning to work in the future with kids.

The job encourages you to be more punctual and organized. For instance, you have to be on time to pick up kids from school, else you might lose the job.

It is an opportunity to make god contacts with people starting with the kids' parents. They are good to vouch for your behavior and character as well as your future reference on your resume.

How can you become a babysitter?

In case you are new to a specific region, it may be hard to find a babysitting gig.

Due to safety measures, many people prefer to hire people they know as a babysitter. They also prefer referrals, hence being new in a place where no one knows you or can refer you may be difficult at first.

However, all not lost regardless of the situation. There are top ways to get babysitting jobs including:

Create a website or a personal profile and inform people about your story. Mention why you like working in an environment with kids and your experience bottom line. Include references is any or attach your resume on the page to instill some trust and confidence.

Make business cards and issue them to your fellow students, in parks, or playgrounds. Ensure you have linked your online profile on the card.

Start looking for this job from people you know. It will be easier this way, these people already know and trust you. It’s important to start with family and friends and also they can refer you to their chain of friends.

Join online forums such as LinkedIn. Update your profile to make it easier for users to find you. Join any other forums near you or on social media.

Get a DBS check to make your work easier if you are in a new area. Note that it may take some time to process it, but it will enhance your path to finding a babysitting job.

Join an agency as this is another way to make the process easier. It may be hard to be accepted, but its worth trying if you have no prior experience.

You can also check on a site such as Care.com. It lists tons of babysitting jobs in the UK. Those looking for the services always specify what they require from a babysitter. If you are new, understand what you want and what is worth your time.

BabySitting and Childminding

Are they the same thing, the answer is no. Babysitting is where the caregiver goes to the child’s house. On the other hand, childminding takes place at the childminder’s home.

If you want to take care of a child for more two hours, then you should consider registering with Ofsted. It is a legal and regular way to get compensated.

However, to get registered with Ofsted, you will need to have a pediatric first aid training, insurances, DBS checks, be in a position to deliver Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum, and also have a safeguarding training.

This may take a while to process if you want to be fully-fledged. However, if you don’t have the requirements, stick with babysitting and look after children at their homes as long as they are below eight years of age.

How much can you charge for babysitting?

Deciding the rates charge for babysitting services can be stressful to decide. If your rates are too high, parents might refuse to hire you. On the other hand, if you undercharge, you will be missing a lot and you will be overwhelmed.

Babysitting jobs pay well, but there is a way you can get compensated even more if you up to your game. However, regions also determine how much you can be paid. For instance, if you are babysitting from London, you are highly likely to charge more as compared to someone in the Midlands. Experience is also another determinant coupled with the level of responsibilities involved.

Are you helping the kids do their homework, are you responsible for the house cleaning, or still responsible for cooking, and playing with the kids? The level of responsibility should reflect the amount you are paid.

According to Childrencare.co.uk, it lists that the rates for babysitting should be £6 - £8 and in London, it goes up to £11 per hour. It's also recommendable to conduct your research and determine your rates per hour. There are good comparison tools you can use and identify whats is best for you to start. Click here for clarification. 

How to set fair rates for Babysitting

There is no specific number to set as the rate for babysitting services. There are various variables to take into account for the services.

But to mention one, $10 or equivalent in your region ought to be the minimum per hour. IN almost all states in the US, Canada, or the UK, that the minimum variable. IN Australia, the rate is a bit high as it goes up to $15 per hour.

Avoid going below $10. Otherwise, you will be underrating yourself and going to low. It may apply if you are new with no experience.

In many cities, experienced babysitters are paid up to $25 per hour.

Factors to consider to set your rates

Consider the points below to determine how to charge for your babysitting services

Ask around

If you are new in a place, ask around, or start by asking your friends who are in the same field. They will give you an insight into what you can expect to be paid.

Most of your friends are likely to be of your age group, same city, and experience. They are likely to give accurate information useful to enable you to set your rate.

Ask family and friends who have kids to how much they pay their babysitter. It is a perfect way to know how much parents are will to pay for babysitting services.

It also shows parents you are interested in the job, and they may end up giving one.

Your age

Age is another determinant that parents look to check on the level of responsibility or maturity. The first impression plays a vital role, especially during the interview. The appearance you portray also allows your employer to estimate your age which is a good thing.

It is not a fair way to determine pay rates for the parents. For instance, a 17-year-old is more likely to be paid more compared to a 14 ear old. It is mostly assumed the older one may have more experience, which may not be the case. If dig dipper, the 14vyear old might have more than three years’ experience, while the 17-year-old might be new in the field.

For younger babysitter, you have to negotiate a lot more to prove your experience and expertise. If you have smaller physic as compared to your age mates, you will most likely face the same experience. Parents will perceive you are young.

Your experience matters

For how long have you been working as a babysitter? Do you have any experience with young children? Your experience is the most important factor parents should look at when hiring a babysitter rather than age.

Having experience comes with a load of perks. For someone who has just finished his/her babysitting course, and a person with more than three years of experience, who would you rather hire?

Most of the experienced babysitter have dealt with the toughest experience that children have to offer. They understand the best ways to deal with children. For instance, putting a baby in bed without causing any tantrum.

Most of them will know who to best handle a difficult situation that is child-related. They know how to change diapers, warm food or a bottle, or even feed a toddler.

If you have prior experience, it is worth getting paid for it. Parents with babies understand perfectly well how worth you are having experience on how to handle young children.

Parents with infants will especially acknowledge your expertise and what comes with it and offer premium payments and offers.

However, if you don’t have any experience, do not worry, because not every parent is looking for the most experienced babysitter that is in the city.

Parents will older and well-behaved kids are still in the market looking for a cheaper babysitter. For this exceptional reason, they might not be looking for an experienced babysitter.

If you have ever worked in a daycare school, list it on your resume to show your experience. In case you have younger siblings, and you have taken care of them, list it too.

Are you highly qualified?

All the training you have heard adds to what you have to offer as a babysitter. It should help account to the rates you ought to charge.

The time taken to attend classes and money counts as you have come out with specialized skills in your babysitting career. This deserves compensation and recognition.

For instance, CPR and First Aid Certifications are some of the certificates you should consider if you choose to upgrade your skills.

This training will give you what you need to handle urgent medical /situatons that could come up while babysitting.

It's not a must, but having this extra expertise could offer peace of mind to parents knowing their kids are in good hands.

Even if you are not trained, you can self-train, and always ensure you have this tool kit whenever you go for a babysitting job.

Also, if you have an early childhood qualification or you are still in school, this is another added advantage to babysitting jobs. You can include it on your resume.

Still, if you have any qualifications as a social worker, it’s another added advantage. Having been in a program that helps offer special needs to disabled and needy children is a huge asset to babysitting too.

Another program such as psychology also relates to babysitting, and its another reason you deserve good pay in line with your duties. Mention how you understand the cognitive development concerning kids and every other detail that may make it possible to get higher pay.

Working with children check or WWCC is another skill set that will show you understand more about children's safety, and you should share it with parents.

Where do you live?

Where you live geographically will mostly determine your pay rates as a babysitter especially if you reside in the USA.

The babysitting pay rated in the US varies from one city to the next. For instance, a babysitter in Detroit is paid $11 per hour, while a babysitter in New York earns $18 per hour.

The cities where living standards are a bit high tend to have babysitting rates high. Those in cities with lower levels of living tend to charge lower rates.

Similarly, in Canada, the rates tend to be uniform and consistent. Most cities in Canada pay babysitters $10-$12, while in some few big cities the charges are $13 per hour.

In the UK, the rates are almost similar to Canada's. The rates are £8 and £9 equivalent of $10 -$12 per hour.

In Australia, the rates are also consistent in many cities. The rates range between $18-$20 per hour.

In Australia, babysitters tend to get higher pay because the minimum wage is higher compared to many countries such as America.

The number of children you are babysitting

Watching many children is quite overwhelming. There will be more duties, more cleanups, a lot of tantrums to deal with, and more responsibilities.

For instance, dealing with more than two kids is twice of work compared to when you would be dealing with one.

The standard rate to charge per extra kid should be $1-$2 per hour. If you charge $11 per hour, if there is an extra child, charge $13.

Will you also be looking after pets?

Looking after pets is a job on its own. If you are working in a family with pets as well, you will need to look after them also to ensure they don’t cause trouble.

Pets such as cats, guinea pigs, or birds are not much of added work when babysitting.

Dogs, on the other hand, need extra work and higher maintenance. They will need someone to let them go outside to the bathroom every few hours and also take meals.

When factoring pet sitting alongside babysitting, you will need to set personal rates. This is because some dogs are low maintenance compared to others. Some will lay on the couch most of the time. But others are demanding and they will want to play games and other activities with you. Some dogs would want to use the main house bathroom or do other messes that you will have to deal with.

If you will be babysitting an active dog, treat this as an additional child. Charge $2 extra per hour.

However, if you have any allergic reaction towards pets, consider turning down an opportunity from a family with a pet.

What are the Babysitting hours?

If you will be babysitting during evenings, this means it is the time Uber and Lyft are on-demand, and prices tend to surge.

For instance, getting a taxi on a Friday evening will mean additional charges as compared to a normal Monday afternoon.

This is a supply and demand eventualities you want to consider in approach to babysitting pay rates.

Mostly, many parents look for babysitting services on weekends, where supply and demand matter. In most cases, babysitters are mostly booked leaving a few in the ground.

These are the times you should consider charging more for the services. It is because you too might have had plans with friends and you gave up the opportunity and choose to work.

Also, charge more and make money online always babysitting if you are called at inconvenient times such as early in the morning during the weekend.

If you are also called during holidays such as Valentine's day or new year's eve. They are some of the busiest days families need babysitting services.

Babysitting at night is another inconvenient time. It’s the time you want to go home and sleep. But once the kids go to sleep, you may have an easier time. All you will need is to check on them to see if they are okay.

Ways to Make More Money with Babysitting

Offer to work full weekends

If you choose to work full weekend with kids, it will be a great way to earn more. If the parents to the kids you are taking care of wants to go out, you can require to stay overnight with the kids, and if they trust you enough, they will allow you.

Possibly agree on a fixed rate, which will be better off than hourly rates, hence a fair deal for you.

Work during breaks and holidays

Availing yourself during breaks or holidays will be a lifesaver for the parents, and on the other hand, a perfect time to up your charges.

During times such as New Year's eve, it is a perfect time to double your hourly rates and you will make more.

Work with Flexibility

The main objective of this job is to have you help the parents look after their kids during tough periods.

If you are as responsible as expected, parents may be calling you out of the blues to come and take care of their young ones to get time to go to work.

Most of the time you will find they have doubled your hourly rate or offered to give you a tip fr being so helpful.

Also, offer to work on parties and event

Let the parents know you can look after more kids in cases of a party will give you a chance to work in a party of an event held for kids. This way you will have a chance to make more money.

For instance, if there is a party held in the parents’ house, you can offer to take care of all kids that are inclusive of the guest's kids. Offer to entertain them to avoid riots or noise from them.

You can also offer to attend weddings or other parties with them to take care of their kids. Remember also that this is the chance to showcase your skills to other potential clients, so take your business cards.

Ask for Travel expenses

If you work during evening shifts, ask for travel expenses. A taxi could be expensive during evening hours, and this is an additional cost on your end. Your employer should understand they are responsible for your travel expenses. But if they don’t agree, ask for additional hourly rates to cover the expenses.

Tutor the kids too

Being a university student is an added advantage when you are asking for a babysitting job. You are eligible to tutor those kids too using your knowledge.

If you are good in a specific subject, tutor for additional time, and ask for payment too. If you add extra time each week, you could end up adding more money to your usual salary.

How can you be a Good Babysitter?

Engage with the children

Ask questions and what could be their interest. Remember the things they always tell you. It natural to see kids fight to have an adult's attention. If they feel abandoned you are preoccupied, they will ask for it.

Since you are paid to hang out with them, do exactly that.

Be clear with the house rules

When you embark to start the job, state the rules clearly. Children will always assume you don’t know the rules of the house, and they will encourage you to bend them unknowingly. Ensure you get to know the do and the don’t of the house before you start working to avoid misunderstandings later.

Plan activities

Sitting in front of a TV all along isn’t very interesting even to kids. They will get bored eventually. Plan different events you can do with them, and they will be looking forward to having you all the time.

Think outside the box. Go for walks around the park, play games, perform art-oriented activities, and other kids-oriented games. They will love everything you do with them.

Ensure the house is tidy for the parents after work

While you are left at home with the kids, you are also responsible to ensure the house is on point.

It is important for the parents to come home after a long tedious day of work, and get a tidy and clean house.

Give report

After you are done with the work, give a descriptive report to the parents of what you have had with the kids at the time of your schedule.

The parents will love the idea of knowing what went on and the insights about your engagement with the kids.

Give them even the tiny detail you may think it is not important, they will know you pay full attention to their kids, not just leaving them to watch TV all along.

Be reliable

Always stick to your word. It’s heart braking to cancel your engagement last minute. Imagine how parents may feel having to go the extra mile to cancel their daily commitment to stay at home. To keep working, to open and give notices on time if you are not going to make it on time. Avoid inconveniences, and you will be in a good position.

Do what you are okay with

Avoid compromising anything when you are babysitting. Anything you are uncomfortable with, say you cannot do it. Ensure the kids you are taking care of are as safe as possible.

Conclusion

How you make money online always babysitting depends on various aspects. You may charge different rates if you are working with various families. This should depend on the number of kids, behavior and many more.