By Karen Morgan
Babysitting
Your Child Wants to be a Babysitter
QUIZ: Your child has expressed an interest in starting a babysitting business. You should:
- a. Quit your job and buy a boat;
- b. Break into tears and cry, “My baby is not old enough to baby-sit!”;
- c. Thank your lucky stars and offer some guidance.
The answer of course is “c.” Although it may seem like you were just hiring a babysitter for her last week, there may come a time when your child may express an interest in being a babysitter for others. Babysitting is an excellent opportunity for young people to earn money in a safe environment.
What age is appropriate for a person to begin babysitting?
Although there is no specific age requirement, 14 is considered an appropriate age for a young person to begin working as a babysitter. Factors that should be considered are the babysitter’s maturity level, ability to react effectively in an emergency situation, and awareness of young children’s needs both physically and developmentally.
How does one learn to become a babysitter?
Many babysitters start as mother’s helpers, working directly with a parent in the home. There are also many babysitting courses that are offered. The American Red Cross offers a course designed for 11- to 15 year-olds. The course covers everything from interviewing for a babysitting job to first aid to handling bedtime issues.
What should I consider before letting my child start a babysitting business?
The first consideration is that this is a business. Your child needs to be mature enough to understand that there is a job to be done and someone is paying for her time and effort. She needs to know that babysitting hours are not a time for phone calls, visitors, or distractions. She needs to be aware that a good babysitter leaves the house in good order, helps children pick up toys, takes messages for the parents, and gives a report to the parents when they get home. In short, make sure she is prepared and mature enough to handle the job.
What Business Arrangements Should Be Made?
Before the job begins, the parent(s) and the sitter need to make appropriate business arrangements:
Rate of Pay
What is a fair rate of pay? Consider the
following:
What do other babysitters
in the area charge?
What did this family
pay their last babysitter?
Does the
babysitter charge by the hour or the job?
Does
the babysitter charge the same for every family
and every job?
The time to discuss the
fee is when the babysitter accepts the
sitting date.
Working time begins when the babysitter arrives and ends when the parents return home.
Information the Babysitter should get from Parents before they leave:
Emergency Numbers – fire, police, ambulance (911 may cover all), doctors, neighbors, family members.
Other Information –
Where are the parents going? name, address, and telephone number. What is the parents’ cell phone number?
How long will they be at
the destination?
Are they going to
more than one place? If so, what time will they
switch locations.
If they are going
to see a play or listen
to a concert, get the row and seat numbers
of their tickets (in case cell phone is
turned off or silenced).
What time do they expect to return?
Do they expect any phone
calls or visitors?
If yes, who? And how
would they like the
door and phone to
be answered?
Information the Babysitter should get about the Child:
Meals and Menus — When is mealtime?
What should the child eat? Are there any food
allergies or food restrictions? May she have
a snack? What can she eat for a snack?
What may the babysitter
eat? Are there any eating problems or
dislikes? How much should she eat?
Medication — The babysitter should never give the child any medication unless instructed by the parents. She should have the parents write down the name of the medication, the correct dosage, the time it should be given and if food or a drink should be avoided or given with the medication.
Playtime — Are there special play areas inside the house? Are you allowed to play outside? Are playmates allowed in the yard or house? Is the child allowed to go to a friend's house? Which friends and what is the address and phone number? Does the child have any special jobs to do/any special requirements? Are any toys to be avoided? Can he play on the computer? If yes, what programs can he play with and are there instructions for starting them? Can he watch TV? If yes, how long can he watch and what programs can he watch?
Bedtime — When is bedtime? Have there been any problems getting the child to go to bed? Is there a favorite story or bedtime friend? Security blanket or pacifier? Where is she to sleep? Does she have a special bedtime routine? If yes, what is it? What clothes should she wear to bed?
Bath time — Does the sitter need to give the child a bath? If yes, does she take a bath or shower? Can she clean her body and shampoo her hair without help? Can she brush her teeth without help? What clothes should she wear after bathing? Remember to never leave a child alone in a bathtub filled with water!
Discipline — Are there any house rules that the sitter needs to know before the parents depart? Do parents expect the sitter to discipline their child when she is misbehaving? If so, what type of behaviors would require disciplinary action and what method would they want the sitter to use? Do the parents want the sitter to report any bad behavior from the child upon their arrival home?
Information About the House:
Locks, Alarms, & Extra Keys — Where are they? How do they work? How do the windows work?
Emergency Supplies — flashlights, candles & matches, first aid and cleaning supplies.
The sitter should take a tour of the home to find out where everything is located and to determine the quickest route of escape from children's rooms in case of fire or other emergency.
Appliances — can opener, stovetop and oven, microwave, high chair, infant swing, and anything else you may need while you're watching the children.
Pets — If the family has pets, check
to see if they need to be
fed or given water. When, what and how much?
Can they go outside?
What Should the Babysitter tell her own parents?
Babysitters should keep their own parents informed of all babysitting jobs.
If you are a babysitter you should let your parents know:
Who are you babysitting for? Your parent may want to meet this family if he or she is not already acquainted with them.
Where are you babysitting? Your parent needs to have an exact address and phone number in case of an emergency.
How long will you be working? What are you expected to do while you are working?
Do you need transportation to and from the family's home?
If you experience uncomfortable feelings while in the family's home and/or with one or more family members.
The key to a successful babysitting business is having repeat customers who recommend you to their friends.
Sources:
- A Guide to the Business of Babysitting
- Resources for Babysitters
from American Red Cross: www.redcross.org/services/hss/courses
- Babysitter's Report Record (PDF File)
- Emergency Numbers and Family Information
- Babysitter's Family Information Card (PDF File)
- Family Interview Form (PDF File)
- Parental Consent and Contact Form (PDF File)
- Résumé Template (MS Word File)
- Self-Assessment Tool (PDF File)
- Safety Inspection Checklist (PDF File)