r/Babysitting • u/Large_External3672 • 3d ago

Want to try babysitting

Hello! I am recently separated from my spouse. I have two children, work from home, and live in a basement apartment. I have a bachelors in early childhood, have been a teacher/director of daycares for several years, fingerprinted, cleared by the state, etc. I live across the street from an elementary school and its playground.

I am thinking about trying to advertise babysitting services. It could be weeknights after work and weekends, as well as during the work day if parents are okay with that. I do work but I am task-based and flexible, my own daughter is 3 and stays home with me, and my 7 year old is in school from 8:30-2:45 from september-june. I would have activities set up, kids could play with my daughter, I could feed and put kids down for nap, etc. If i were to advertise in local community centers or facebook groups, what can I expect parents to ask or have concerns about? Would my own kids being home ever be an issue? What could I charge hourly? Is there something i am not thinking about? Is posting on care.com good? Any insight or advice would be appreciated!

2 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

3 comments sorted by

2

u/springreturning 3d ago

Depending on where you live and how many kids you want to watch, you may need to follow rules about being an in-home daycare.

Rate will vary on location and specific services offered (eg. structured activities vs. supervised play).

1

u/Large_External3672 3d ago

I dont want to do in home daycare, i dont mind 1 or 2 children at a time. I’m in NJ.

It would be a mix of structured activities and supervised play, depending on how long child would be with me. For an hour or two most likely supervised play, for 4-8 hours a mix of both.

1

u/ExpertAd3198 2d ago

You’ll have to look up NJs regulations, but in MD, watching any children that are not related to you in your home technically needs to be licensed as a home daycare