Babysitter

Babysitting is a type of home-based childcare. The babysitter goes to the family’s home for a specified period of time and performs basic caregiving tasks while the parents or guardians are away. In this role, you may care for one or more children of any age, from infants to teens.

Many babysitting jobs are short-term, lasting just a few hours. They may be one-off assignments or ongoing arrangements where you babysit according to a fixed weekly or monthly schedule. Babysitters often get jobs through word-of-mouth referrals, local advertising, or babysitting apps and platforms.

The best babysitters are compassionate and responsible individuals who love children. The role involves a great deal of responsibility, and babysitters are sometimes expected to undergo a background check or provide references.

What makes babysitting such a popular side hustle is that it’s easy to get into. There are minimal requirements to become a babysitter, and it’s even a job you can do as a teen. The potential for consistent work with minimal time commitment also makes babysitting a side hustle that pairs well with other jobs.

While there are no laws requiring babysitters to have any licenses or certifications, most professional babysitters at least have first aid and CPR certifications. This basic training is pretty much essential for anyone working in a childcare role.

There are also other optional certifications babysitters can get to make themselves more competitive and provide better childcare services. The table below shows the main certifications for babysitters.

Babysitter Certifications

Getting started is the most difficult part of becoming a babysitter. But with these tips, you’ll be able to lay a solid foundation for a fruitful babysitting career.

Local connections

A lot of babysitters get their first jobs through simple word of mouth. It may start off with babysitting for a friend or family member. Once you’ve established that you’re reliable and good at the job, it’s easier to branch out and find new babysitting jobs.

First aid and CPR training

While you don’t technically need to have any certifications or training to become a babysitter, it’s become the norm for babysitters to have CPR and first aid training. You’ll be at a serious disadvantage without these certifications, and you’ll have limited capabilities if you encounter an emergency situation while on the job.

There are several downsides to becoming a babysitter that you should be aware of before you pursue this line of work:

• Limited earning potential: It’s pretty difficult to make a full-time living as a babysitter, which is why most people babysit as a side hustle. This is mainly because families often only need a babysitter for a few hours per week.
• Difficulty finding clients: It can be tough to get your first few clients when you don’t have any good references. Since it’s a local job, you may also face difficulty starting up again if you move to another city.
• Certifications: While not technically required, CPR and first aid certifications are generally expected of babysitters.
• Vetting process: Most babysitting apps have some form of screening process, often requiring sitters to pass a background check. This makes the job unsuitable for some people.
• High responsibility: Caring for someone else’s children is a huge responsibility. To take on this task, you need to have a high tolerance for stress.

Babysitting is one of the most popular side hustles for several reasons:

• Minimal requirements: Anyone can start babysitting, with the proper knowledge and preparation. There are no formal requirements, and the job is even open to young teens.
• Spending time with children: One of the main draws of the job for many babysitters is the opportunity to get paid to play with children.
• Fits in well with other jobs: Because babysitting is typically limited to a few hours at a time and often involves a fixed schedule, it’s a good choice for people who have other commitments.
• Minimal startup costs: Technically, you can start babysitting completely free. You may need to pay for certifications or babysitting app memberships, but these are optional costs.
• Fast earnings: Many babysitters get same-day payments for their work. This makes babysitting a great option for making ends meet or getting quick pocket money.

Here’s a look at what you can expect as a babysitter in the years to come:

• The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts a 2% decline in the number of child care jobs available from 2022 to 2032.
• UrbanSitter reports that the national average babysitting rate is $23.61, but rates vary by location, with higher hourly rates in cities like San Francisco, CA ($26.75) and lower rates in cities like Tampa Bay, FL ($18.09).
• The babysitting app market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6% from 2023 to 2030.

Despite the slight decline in the need for babysitters, the rise in babysitting apps and platforms is making it easier to quickly get babysitting gigs. However, from these trends, we can expect increasing competition and entry barriers for new babysitters.