Whether you’re just starting out or are having a lull in regular babysitting gigs, knowing how to get babysitting jobs is key. Maybe you’ve exhausted all the opportunities working for neighbors with little kids. So now what? Where — and how — should you look for new babysitting jobs?
There are a number of ways to find babysitting jobs, notes Michelle LaRowe, lead educator at Global Nanny Training, adding that, during the process, selling yourself is crucial. “When you market yourself as a babysitter, be prepared and present the best version,” she explains. “When you have a professional resume and references in place, you can stand out from other candidates. You can also attract the right type of family you want to work with when you highlight your strengths and experiences.”
How to get babysitting jobs and where to look
From hitting up local playgrounds to creating an online profile, here’s how to get babysitting jobs, according to experts and creative parents and sitters.
1. Word of mouth
Personal referrals generally are “the best” way for babysitters to get jobs, according to Emily Dills, founder and policy advocate for Seattle Nanny Network. The reason being, parents typically feel most comfortable when they know someone who’s had a good experience with a sitter.
“Pretty much every babysitter I’ve ever had has come from the recommendation of a friend,” says Jaclyn Santos, a mom of three in Hazlet, New Jersey. “And when I was in a bind recently, and our regular babysitter wasn’t available, she recommended her close friend, who also sits. It worked out, and I knew it would since I trust her.”
If you already have a client or two, let them know you’re interested in more work. While babysitter stealing is a real fear for parents, in most cases, they’ll be happy to recommend you to friends.
Keep in mind: You don’t always know what you’re getting yourself into when you blindly follow a referral. Consider setting up a quick meeting before sitting to make sure you and the family jive.
“While word of mouth is a great way to get referrals, the problem is you don’t always know who is being referred to you,” Dills notes. “As a sitter, it’s important to know you are going into a safe environment and working for a family who respects and treats you well.”
2. Hand out flyers
Sydney Kessler, a high school student in Cranford, New Jersey, got the majority of her initial babysitting jobs through flyers she created and handed out at playgrounds or “places with lots of kids.”
“If parents then needed or wanted my information, I included a QR code on the flyer that would then bring them to my contact info, along with my experience and certifications, such as CPR,” Kessler explains.
And as a bonus, parents were able to see how Kessler interacted with their kids right there on the spot!
Keep in mind: It takes guts to walk up to parents you don’t know, so for quieter types, this can be a little uncomfy. To that point, though, approaching people you haven’t previously met, in and of itself, demonstrates an initiative-taking attitude.
3. Hit up local parent groups on social
Pretty much every area has a babysitter-specific Facebook group, where both parents can post their needs and babysitters can advertise their services. These groups are typically private, so you’ll need to put in a request before getting in.
“Our area has a private Facebook group dedicated to connecting babysitters and families in four surrounding towns,” says Melanie T., a mom of two in Crystal Lake, Illinois. “I’ve found a number of sitters on there — and I love that parents can vouch for them right there on the page.”
Keep in mind: “There’s always risk with social media, so it’s important to exercise caution,” Dills says. “That said, these groups should be a mutually safe space for both parents looking for care and the people wanting to provide it. The important thing to remember is responsibility and accountability.”
Put another way: Trust your gut and make sure to be respectful at all times.
4. Create an online babysitter profile on a jobs site
Find babysitting jobs
Looking to cast a wide net in your job search? If you’re 18 or older, consider creating a professional babysitter profile and posting it to an online jobs site, like Care, that specializes in matching families with child care professionals.
“When creating your profile,” Dills says, “think about the projects you’ve done that families would be impressed by. This could be art, baking, nature or even sports related. Highlighting the accomplishments you’ve had working with kids will give you an edge over the competition.”
Keep in mind: In order to join Care, you need to be 18.
Read more: Interview questions and answers to help you land the babysitting job
5. Create a LinkedIn page
LinkedIn isn’t just for Corporate America. In fact, it’s a great place to show off your sitter services and qualifications.
“I definitely recommend creating a LinkedIn page,” Dills notes. “This sends the message that you take the role seriously and it provides you with the opportunity to highlight your work with kids, community connections, volunteer work, education and more.”
Keep in mind: You need to be at least 16 years old in order to create a LinkedIn profile. For teens under 18, it’s a good idea to have mom or dad run the page.
6. Contact an agency or professional organization
Babysitting agencies are another option for sitters looking for work, but many come with prerequisites and a fee — so this may not be an ideal choice for anyone new to the game.
“Agencies often will have requirements before you apply,” says Dills. “For example, we require a minimum of 4,000 hours of professional paid experience. This is equal to two years of full-time work. If you want to apply with an agency, check their requirements, and if you don’t meet them, send them a message asking what you need to do to be considered.”
Keep in mind: Not every area has a professional organization or area dedicated to babysitting jobs, as typically, these services are geared more toward nannies.
7. Volunteer
Another way Kessler has found work as a babysitter? Volunteering! “In addition to flyers, I’ve also gotten many babysitting jobs through volunteering at my Hebrew school,” she says. Not only does Kessler connect with a number of families through her volunteer work, parents get to see how responsible she is in real time.
Keep in mind: In addition to volunteer opportunities at synagogues, churches and other religious organizations, many community centers — or communities in general — have volunteer opportunities. These are a great way to connect with potential future employers and build up your experience.
The bottom line
Finding babysitting jobs can take a little work, but it’s worth it in order to find good gigs that pay well — particularly if you’re first starting out.
“It’s so important for babysitters to get into the mindset of marketing themselves if they want to land good gigs,” Dills says. “And then once they have a few good references under their belt they can use these to ‘sell’ their services to others.”
