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Getting Started:

For some of you, this could be your first time babysitting, or your interested in learning how to find a family to babysit for. This page should help give advice for both finding a family and the basic steps after you have a job.

- Before even looking for a babysitting job, one must make sure that they are comfortable with children and have a bit of prior experience around kids. You could get this experience by helping out with a younger sibling, volunteering in you church nursery, playing with neighboor kids or spending time with relatives. A resume obviously is not required, but most parents feel more comfortable leaving their children in your care knowing this is not your first time around children.

- Also, don't bite off more than you can chew. Know your limits. Having one two year old in your care is much different than a two year old and a six month old together. If you have never really held a babysitting job before I would not recommend running to the family with four children who live up the street. Try starting with one child, maybe two, until you are comfortable to juggle several kids at once.

- So the next major question should be, "Where do I find these families?". I would recommend looking in the simplest of places. Do you have younger cousins or siblings? Offer their parents a chance to go out on a date, you'll keep the kids for a few hours. What about the neighborhood kids? Flyers and ads on doors or mailboxes can be a great way to advertise your service. Another chance is simply being outside and being outgoing and friendly with the neighbors and their children. If they are walking past say hello, play with the kids a bit. Parents who are looking for a babysitter might note your attentiveness to the kids and ask if your interested. Other great places to find kids are at your church, parents work, or a local day care.

- From personal experience, I recommend babysitting at first for a family that you know. For example, start with relatives or a neighbor who you know prior to the babysitting contact. This simply makes the initial nervousness for both you and the family less than if you do not know one another at all.

- If it is your first time babysitting for a family, set up a time prior to the actual babysitting day where the children can meet you. This is important especially if the kids are younger. This will be a time not only for you to interact with the kids, but also for the parents to see how you handle them. This does not need to be a long meeting, but it is definitely a useful step. Be friendly to the kids, attentive to their needs and respectful of the parents. During this time, the parents may also give you the run down of the rules or house to make the actual day of babysitting less stressful. Ask questions, it makes the parents comfortable knowing that you are truly intersted in the wll-being of the children. Gather as much information as you can during this time, and remember first impressions can make or break a deal. If you do set up this meeting, be punctual and outgoing.

- The next important step is to decide your pay, if any. Some people choose to babysit simply for the joy of helping out a neighbor or family member, while others use babysitting to make some extra money. If you are planning on being paid, talk with the parents ahead of time about this. Often times they will ask you what you charge, or tell you what they have done in the past. I typically let the family choose what they want to pay; however, they typically fall in the same general range of seven to ten dollars an hour. I babysit regularly for a family of three (all the kids under the age of 4), and they pay me ten dollars an hour. Another family of only one eight month old gives me about seven an hour. Pay typically varies depending on the age and number of children in your care, but regardless it is important to establish a set price and keep track of your hours once you start.

- On your first day watching the kids, it is always important to focus on a few couple things. First, be punctual, even more so than usual. Typically the parents will have a lot that they want to go over with you before leaving, so be prepared to listen and ask questions. Even though you will be talking to the parents for a little while, greet the kids right when you come in if you can. This will hopefully get them excited to see you and lessen the anxiety once the family leaves. Don't be afraid to ask questions! Also, make sure the family leaves a number where you can reach them in case of an emergency. Take a deep breath as the parents leave, and you are all set.