How to start a babysitting business

When you learn how to babysit, your ability to earn extra money increases significantly. Babysitting is a perfect side hustle for students and anyone looking for a side gig outside their regular working hours.

We’ve put together the ultimate guide for how to start a babysitting business in the UK to help you with everything from finding babysitting jobs to negotiating your rate. So read on for all you need to know about babysitting, and get ready to start your new business!

How to make money babysitting 

A great place to start is with friends and relatives with children who already know and trust you. You can offer your services for free to build up some clientele references or charge low rates to get the ball rolling and ensure you even like babysitting!

As you already have a relationship with these people, it will be easier for you to convince them to trust you with their children. This is the perfect way to hone your skills and understand what the job entails before you begin to find new clients.

How to be a good babysitter 

Once you have locked in some friends as your first clients, you can test some strategies to understand what type of babysitter you will be. Great babysitters must be excellent if they want to continue getting work, as word-of-mouth is a big deal in this industry.

To ensure you are a good babysitter, consider the following:

• Understand your comfort level and limitations (e.g., how many children can you babysit at once, what age ranges you are happy with, etc.)
• Keep an open line of communication with the parents.
• Be prepared for anything that could happen.
• Be well-informed and organised.
• Stay active and have fun.
• Set rules and limits and stick to them.
• Always be watchful.

Getting certified to earn more as a babysitter

While there are no formal babysitting qualifications required, there are some things you can do to make yourself a more attractive prospect for parents. For example, a Red Cross first aid for babies and children course assures parents that you have the basic knowledge to keep their kids safe. 

Completing a CPR and First Aid course will also help set parents’ minds at ease while making you stand out from the competition. You’ll also have a little more confidence that you can deal with any accidents.

How to find and apply for babysitting jobs 

A quick search of the UK Airtasker babysitting tasks will reveal plenty of potential babysitting jobs in your area. This can be a great way to find new clients and build a regular customer base. Signing up as a Tasker, along with word-of-mouth, may be all you need to keep your babysitting business booming. 

You can also search for similar jobs on Airtasker, such as nanny services and after-school care pick-up. In addition, you can set your rate and search within a specific distance, exposing you to many potential babysitting clients.

How to charge for babysitting jobs

The amount you should charge for babysitting depends on a range of factors, specifically how much experience you have, the age of the children, and what services you offer. In the United Kingdom, the average babysitter’s salary is £25,350 per year or £13 per hour. 

Start your babysitting business now. 

Babysitting is a great way to make extra money by working outside your regular work or study hours. You have the freedom to choose when you want to work, and it can be a lot of fun as well. This is one of the many ways to earn money as a side hustle to buy some extra things or put a little more away in the savings account. 

Airtasker has a range of tasks that make for great side hustles. So join the gig economy in the UK, be your own boss, and start to build a business doing what you love!