If you genuinely enjoy the company of kids and are able to handle them well, then babysitting is an option for you to earn money. If you want to take up babysitting as a career at homes or at a day care center, you will require a professional certification before you start your work. If you want to take up babysitting to earn some extra cash during your spare time, the requirements are easier to fulfill.
Here are some basic steps which helps you in becoming a great babysitter.
1. Set up Your Schedule
Ask yourself when exactly you will be able to take up babysitting. Do you want to do it as and when opportunity arises? Can you devote specific days of the week; or can you work throughout the week on a regular schedule? Answer these questions and set aside the times for babysitting. Once you take up an assignment, it is bad form to back out because bad planning. Your credibility could be at stake.
2. Get Your Certifications
While it is mandatory for you to get a Certificate Course to run a regular business in babysitting, you need to get the basic CPR and First Aid certification for part time babysitting work. Check with your local Red Cross or hospital if they are conducting these courses. Enroll and get certified. Remember you are dealing with children and must be prepared to meet emergencies. These certifications look great on your resume and assure parents of your babysitting skills.
3. Build Your Resume
Prepare an effective resume outlining your experience in handling children. Include your work as a volunteer or participant in any capacity in Sunday schools, camp counseling, or community activity organizer. If you have experience looking after your siblings, mention this in your resume. Your educational qualifications, certifications and references should be included.
4. Advertise Your Services
Now that you are ready, you must market your services in the best way you can. Design eye-catching flyers to post on bulletin boards at your community center, church or school. Make home-made or professional business cards and hand them around in public gatherings or individually. Use the social media, e-mails and other electronic means to advertise your availability.
5. Fix Your Rates
Ask around from parents and day care centers the rate per hour for babysitting services. You may decide an hourly rate or as per the specific demands of the job.
6. Know Your Clients and Wards
Once you have got a call, attend the interview, if any. In any case call on the parents. Meet the kids and get to know them. Get to know what the parents expect. Note down emergency contact numbers and other information. Request the parents to show you around the house. Check the layout of the house and get to know the emergency arrangements. Check for possible dangerous areas or unsafe conditions like open drains, electrical hazards, and so on.
7. Some Useful Guidelines to Follow
- Never accept a gig unless you are absolutely sure of the credentials of your employers. Your safety is of utmost importance.
- Report any inappropriate behavior from your employers.
- Have a handy hobby kit or age appropriate games for younger children
- Have a First Aid kid specifically designed for kids at hand.
- Ask the parents of any health related issues, forbidden food, allergies, or medicine schedules that the kids may have.
- Plan fun-filled outings to park or other age-appropriate free places after approval from the parents.
- Never take the kids near swimming pools and other water bodies. It is dangerous and the risk is unwarranted.
- Do not smoke or drink on the job.
- Never use the utilities and appliances in the house for personal use unless you have taken specific permission.
- Never call over your date while babysitting.
- Regulate or monitor the use of the computer by the kids based on rules of the family.
- Never leave the children alone.
8. Congratulations!
Now, you and your employers have understood each other and understand the ground rules; start your babysitting and become a babysitter.
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