Holiday season jobs: When to start looking and how much you can make
According to a new Care.com holiday survey, 48% of families wish they had more help this holiday season, hourly rates...
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How nannies can handle the holidays when their employers have different beliefs
Nannying for a family with different holidays or beliefs? Experts share tips for honoring your beliefs, handling tricky kids' questions...
Watch Lisa’s journey to becoming a professional nanny
Professional theater? Caring for children? Lisa didn’t have to choose — she’s combined her passions into a career helping kids...
Understanding pet sitting certifications for sitters and dog walkers
Holding a pet sitter or dog walker certification can help set you apart from the crowd. Here are the best...
The 10 best states to be a nanny or babysitter
Care.com’s first survey of child care providers asked more than 4,000 nannies and babysitters about their wages, benefits, career paths...
How to tell a parent you suspect their child may have different needs
As caregivers, we want to provide the best care for our charges. But what happens when you work with a...
You know you’re a babysitter if …
Whenever I find out that somebody I know is also a babysitter, I instantly feel bonded with them. When you’re...
7 tips to becoming a high-demand personal assistant
In a bustling office setting, it’s easy to overlook a manager’s personal assistant, but they’re often the glue that holds...
Transitioning from babysitter to nanny: What you need to know
If you have experience working as a babysitter for a family or several families, you may be looking to increase...
12 babysitting kit essentials to pack for every gig
Pack a babysitter kit and look like a pro. Here's what experts recommend throwing into your bag.
How to be the best nanny or sitter for a family during divorce
Here's what to do (and what not to do) as a nanny or sitter during a divorce, plus expert advice...
On the Park Bench: Mom of 7-turned child care provider shares her secrets for juggling multiple children
When Julie L. embarked on a job search five years ago, she says she began by asking herself, “What am...
On the Park Bench: A nanny’s tips for finding and keeping the ‘one’ (perfect family, that is)
Finding that special someone to love can be difficult. Finding that special family to work for long-term can be just...
6 steps to becoming a rockstar summer sitter
There are quite a few perks to being a babysitter in the summertime. “Every day can be a new adventure,”...
Pet sitting insurance: Benefits, coverage and costs
If you’re a professional pet sitter, pet sitting insurance is essential for protecting yourself, your clients and your business. Here's...
How can I become a dog walker and turn it into a business?
From landing your first dog walking job to starting a full-fledged dog walking business, here’s what experts say you need...
8 strategies for maintaining happiness and success in your daycare job
If you’re starting a new job at a daycare, you’re probably wondering, “How can I make the most of this...
Starting your new daycare job: 7 tips for a successful first day
First day at your daycare job? Get first-day tips for quickly learning the role, dressing comfortably, and making a great...
Here are the daycare job requirements you need to land your ideal position
Turn your love for kids into a career. Learn about daycare job requirements, different care settings and what employers look...
Here’s when babysitters need to get a contract and what to include
When you start working as a babysitter for a family, there’s a lot to discuss in advance: everything from payment...
A real nanny’s tips for recreating Mary Poppins’ magic
The original “Mary Poppins” movie is an obvious family classic. But for me, a nanny with over a decade of...
8 babysitting activities so fun the kids won’t miss their parents
Experienced sitters and nannies know that keeping kids busy with fun, creative activities is the best way to prevent meltdowns...
On the Park Bench: How this nanny turns everyday tasks into adventure and fun
In a previous chapter of her career, Laura V., a classically trained French chef, spent hours serving up decadent dishes. But...
How to build a strong peer network of professional nannies
Networking with other nannies is a great way to form playgroups, share ideas and advice, find new jobs and simply...
How to get the work contract you deserve
Thaty is a member of the National Domestic Workers Alliance, an organization for the respect and dignity of domestic workers....
On the Park Bench: The toolkit that makes this nanny a ‘child whisperer’
When Leslie, a classically trained opera singer, first started nannying more than 25 years ago, her friends would ask her...
On the Park Bench: How this social worker-turned-nanny helps kids deal with the emotional stuff
Erin G. has been caring for children for as long as she can remember. Her mother ran an in-home daycare,...
Exclusive SF Bay Area Workshop: Becoming a Super Nanny
Join Sydnee Cochran a professional Nanny & Doula and with 10 years+ experience, for a FREE workshop designed to help...
The biggest mistakes nannies make when determining pay
The first question most new nannies have: How much should I charge? There are a lot of factors to consider...
On the Park Bench: A nanny’s top 4 tips for new nannies
A professional caregiver, Krista C. says she learned a lot about advocating for herself from watching “Judge Judy.” Some of...
On the Park Bench: How a young college student commands respect as a nanny
Alex G. has always adored children and babies. She started babysitting neighborhood kids when she was just 12, and she...
Caregiver confessions: Your 20 most embarrassing moments on the job
We’ve all been there: A mistake made on the job that has you blushing for days. This week we asked caregivers...
On the Park Bench: How an energetic ‘Granny Nanny’ always gets the gig
In a world driven by technology, there’s still no substitute for meeting face to face. Just ask Oakland, California-area caregiver...
On the Park Bench: How an actress who nannies sings her way through toothbrush time and temper tantrums
Every child care provider knows that taking care of children can call for some serious acting skills. (How many times...
6 questions to help you decide if a nanny job is right for you
Before taking a nanny job, be sure to ask your potential employer — and yourself — the following questions.
11 things to bring on a nanny interview
It can take some work to find a nanny job that meets your qualifications. But once a family is interested...
9 ways to stand out when looking for a nanny job
With 1.2 million people working in child care, it can be difficult to stand out, if you’re looking to land...
Real talk with nannies: 20 tips for getting your first nanny job
Care.com recently posted the question: “What advice would you give a caregiver just starting out?” Here are my 20 tips for getting...
On the Park Bench: A Boston nanny’s balancing act means both child care and self care
“This is one of the only professions where you get paid to be passionate about someone,” says Shateara H., a...
How do I start a pet sitting business?
From researching your clients and competition to marketing yourself, experienced pet sitters share advice and tips on how to start...