How Old Do You Have to Be to Babysit?

There is no federal minimum age to babysit. Although the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) sets the federal age limit for most types of work at 14 years old, babysitting isn’t an occupation covered by this labor law.

Even so, some local governments impose their own restrictions. For example, Maryland state law stipulates that the minimum age for babysitting is 13 years old. But this means that as long as state, county, and city regulations don’t prohibit it, a 13-year-old or even 12-year-old child can legally babysit.

Nevertheless, just because there’s no law against babysitting at 13 years old or younger doesn’t mean it’s always a good idea. You should still think carefully about whether you’re capable of taking on the job.

If you’re at or above the legal babysitting age, there really isn’t anything stopping you from pursuing babysitting gigs. However, child care takes a lot of responsibility, and it isn’t a job you shouldn’t take lightly.

The general consensus on what age a child can babysit a sibling is at least 12 years old. However, this guideline doesn’t necessarily extend to babysitting for another family, and being 12 years old doesn’t guarantee that you’re really ready to start babysitting.

Before working as a babysitter, ask yourself the following questions to figure out whether you’re old enough to babysit:

• Have you ever taken care of a younger child alone? Looking after a child all by yourself is a lot different than doing so when you have an adult in the next room. You’ll be better off if you’ve got experience looking after younger family members or neighbors while the parents are out, for example.
• Do you understand the duties of a babysitter? You should know what a parent expects of you in terms of babysitting activities, household responsibilities, and whether you can do things like take the children outside. What’s more, children of different age levels require different types of care.
• Do you have first aid and safety training? You should be equipped to handle any health and safety emergencies that crop up on the job. Many professional babysitters undergo first aid and CPR training for this reason. You should also know when to call 9/11 or alert the parents to an issue.
• Will you be able to get to the location? You’ll need to be able to get to the family’s home on your own. You’ll be limited to babysitting gigs in your own neighborhood if you don’t have your own transport.
• Do you have the qualities to become a babysitter? It’s essential that you enjoy being around children. Additionally, you should be patient, caring, and dependable.
• Will parents think you’re old enough to take care of their child? If you’re very young, it’s possible that you’ll get a few job rejections due to your age. You may need to put in extra effort to convince parents that you’re mature enough to babysit their children.

Since parents’ opinions are what really matters when it comes to determining how old you should be to babysit, it’s a good idea to also ask friends and family who know you well for their opinions. If they all agree you’re mature enough and have the qualities to be a responsible babysitter, then you’re probably good to go.

Once you’re sure you’re ready to start babysitting, it’s time to start finding families to work with. There are a few tried-and-tested approaches that will get you the best results.

Word of mouth referrals

Many babysitters get their first gigs through simple word of mouth—for example, babysitting younger cousins or the children of family friends. That first gig can snowball into a bunch of jobs down the line if you play your cards right.

It’s not just young sitters who benefit from word-of-mouth references. Experienced, professional sitters often build a solid network of clients this way. If you’re doing an excellent job babysitting, your reputation will speak for itself, and families will start coming to you.

Local advertising

Babysitting is a local job, so it makes sense to start your job search in your own neighborhood or community. Pinpoint locations that families often frequent (e.g., schools, community centers, public libraries, and family-friendly venues) and ask if you can post fliers advertising your babysitting services.

Alternatively, you can advertise online in local Facebook groups or neighborhood groups. Just beware that there are additional risks with this approach. It’s best to get a parent involved to help vet any families you find online.

Babysitting apps for teens

Babysitting apps and sites are also great resources for beginner babysitters. However, even though most states don’t specify how old you need to be to baby sit, many babysitting apps and sites have age restrictions on sitters.

Babysitting App Age Requirements

Bambino is perhaps the most popular teen babysitting app. The platform welcomes babysitters as young as 13 years old, as long as they have permission from a parent or guardian. By contrast, Care.com’s age requirement is 18 years old. The same is true for most other popular babysitting platforms, including UrbanSitter and Sittercity.

Even if you think you’re at a good age to start babysitting, parents may still be hesitant to hire you if you’re very young or inexperienced. For this reason, you’ll need to find ways to convince them you’re trustworthy and capable of caring for their child.

To start, provide concrete evidence that can back up your claims. Prepare copies of any relevant certifications you have (e.g., babysitting, CPR, or food safety certifications) and collect references from past clients you babysat for. In other words, build a solid resume.

If you’ve never taken care of children on your own before and don’t have any references, it’s a good idea to get some experience by offering to babysit for friends and family for free. If they’re satisfied with your services, they may hire you as a regular sitter or even recommend you to other parents.

Lastly, be honest with yourself about what you can and can’t do, and don’t accept jobs that go beyond your capabilities. For instance, you may feel comfortable taking care of children above a certain age and looking after just 1–2 children at once. Be a responsible babysitter by never taking on a job you don’t feel confident doing.