We Help Babysitters And Parents

Help for Babysitters

If you're just starting out as a babysitter, or if you've been working for a while but want to take your babysitting skills to the next level, then Kidsit is the perfect resource for you.

We have a growing library of helpful articles written by parents and childcare professionals that teach the finer points of babysitting for beginners right through to career caregivers.

See our Babysitting FAQs for answers to commonly asked questions about babysitting and childcare.

And be sure to visit our babysitting resources page to download printable documents to take on your sitting jobs.

Our goal at Kidsit is to help you to become the best babysitter you can be.

Read our latest articles for babysitters:

Babysitting References (What Are They & How To Get Them?)

Learn what babysitting references are, why they're important, who you should use as a reference, and some essential tips to put you ahead of the competition.

13 Qualities All Good Babysitters Share (Do You Have What It Takes?)

We look at some of the key qualities that parents look for, and you should have if you want to be a successful babysitter!

Do Babysitters Provide Food? (What Parents May Expect From You)

Learn when babysitters need to provide food, what kind of food preparation you might be asked to do, and whether you need to bring snacks for yourself.

Babysitting From Home (Pros, Cons, Laws & Requirements)

We look at the key differences between babysitting from home and running a daycare, special restrictions that might apply in your area, insurance, and costs.

Can Babysitters Sleep On The Job? (6 Tips To Stay Awake)

Learn why sleeping while you're babysitting is generally frowned upon, times when it might be okay, and six tips to help keep yourself awake while you're working.

Babysitting Night Shifts: The Essential Guide (How To Cope With Sleepless Nights)

Learn what to do before your overnight babysitting shift, tricks when eating and drinking during the night and what to do once you get home.

What to Expect at a Babysitting Interview (By Phone, Video Chat or In-Person)

I'll walk you through the major steps of a babysitting interview process so you'll know how to prepare and what to expect.

What To Wear To A Babysitting Interview (First Impressions Count!)

65% of employers say that clothing could be a deciding factor between two otherwise equal candidates. Read our essential tips and beat the competition!

How to Start Babysitting with No Experience (7 Easy Steps)

Learn the steps needed to start babysitting with no experience. Once you have some experience under your belt, you’ll be really marketable as a babysitter.

What To Bring To A Babysitting Interview (Plus 14-Item Checklist)

Be confident in your babysitting job interviews by preparing well. Follow our interview checklist so you never forget anything important!

What Age Can You Start Babysitting? (Laws & Maturity Requirements)

Learn how to tell for yourself if you're old enough to start babysitting, and things you can do to make yourself more likely to get hired as a young babysitter.

Overnight Babysitting Tips (What to Bring, Prepare, and Expect)

Learn what overnight babysitting involves, what items you should bring, how to prepare, and what questions to ask parents before they leave.

NYE Babysitting Guide (How Much to Charge, What to Expect)

Learn what to expect when babysitting on New Year's Eve, how much to charge, what to bring, and recommended nighttime babysitting activities to try.

Babysitting & Leadership Skills (How Sitting Can Make You A Leader)

Learn how babysitting shows leadership, how to effectively lead children, and how to develop important leadership skills through childcare work.

Fire Safety Tips For Babysitters (Emergency Measures & Prevention)

BE SAFE! Learn how to prepare yourself for a fire emergency and how you and the kids should handle the situation if it ever happens while babysitting.

Babysitting For Free (6 Reasons Why You Should, Plus Coupons!)

Learn why babysitting for free is a great choice, particularly as a beginner when you need to gain childcare experience and references.

Babysitting Rate Guide (How Much Should You Charge?)

See out how much you're actually worth as a babysitter by reviewing your skills, experience, the job requirements, and where you live.

Babysitting & Child Psychology (Physical, Cognitive & Social Growth)

Learn how to tailor your babysitting strategies and activities to the age and development stage of the children in your care.

How to Babysit a Child with Autism (13 Tips, Fun Activities, Plus Checklist)

Everything you need to know about babysitting kids with autism including how to prepare, effective care strategies, safety, and fun activities to enjoy together.

How to Babysit Preschoolers (Child Needs, Discipline & Common Mistakes)

Learn what preschoolers need, what's important to them, effective discipline strategies, and common mistakes all babysitters should avoid.

Babysitting at the Pool (What to Bring, Games to Play & Water Safety Tips)

Learn some basic water safety tips for children, as well as what to bring to the pool and what types of games kids might want to play.

Is Babysitting Considered Self-Employment? (2 Ways Sitters Can Work)

Learn what constitutes an employee and a self-employed independent contractor and see how they relate to working as a babysitter.

Babysitting Responsibilities (23 Duties Parents May Expect From You)

Learn the most common responsibilities that parents expect of their babysitters and how your duties may change depending on the job requirements.

Babysitting Glossary For Caregivers (Commonly Used Childcare Terms)

Read some of the common babysitting terms and phrases along with short explanations of what they mean.

How To Negotiate A Babysitting Rate (9 Tips: Preparation & Strategies)

Learn some essential tips and strategies to bring to the bargaining table to help get you the pay rate that you deserve.

The Ultimate Babysitting Binder (20 Documents & Fun Items to Include)

With a well stocked babysitting binder, you can focus on caregiving because you know you have everything you need.

Babysitting at Night (Dinner, Baths, Bedtime Routine & Downtime Ideas)

Learn the different tasks and responsibilities that need doing if you're babysitting at night time including the finer art of bedtime routines.

Babysitting as a Business (Responsibilities & Company Setup)

Learn why babysitting can be a rewarding and profitable business, who the business is right for, and how to setup a company structure.

How to Babysit a Toddler (28 Tips: Care, Activities & Discipline)

Learn the important things to keep in mind when you're babysitting a toddler, as well as 28 tips to make your job a bit easier.

Babysitting Qualifications (Which Ones Do You Need?)

Learn the most popular babysitting qualifications, what they are, why you need them, and how they can put you ahead of the competition when applying for jobs.

How to Become a Babysitter (13 Easy Steps to Get Started)

Learn if babysitting is right for you and which simple steps you need to follow to become a successful and confident babysitter.

Do Babysitters Have To Pay Taxes? (Yes, and Here's How)

Learn if your babysitting situation requires you to pay taxes and what other exceptions may apply in your country.

Things To Do After Kids Are Asleep (10 Dos and 6 Don'ts for Babysitters)

Make the most of your downtime! Learn 10 things to do while babysitting after the kids are asleep, plus 7 things you should NEVER do!

26 Kids Water Safety Tips for Babysitters (At the Pool, Beach & Home)

Learn to recognize dangerous water hazards and the basic safety tips needed to keep kids safe around water while you're babysitting.

How Babysitters Can Nurture Children to Bring Out Their Best (8 Steps)

Learn how to build meaningful relationships with the children you babysit and set the right conditions to build success in their life.

Do Babysitters & Nannies Need Insurance? (Guide for Caregivers)

Learn why a babysitter might get insurance, what insurance the parents should have, and what insurance requirements there are for a child care center.

How to Babysit a Difficult Child (4 Steps to Success)

Learn how to deal with difficult children, it will make work easier, and can also open up extra well-paying jobs that others aren’t willing to take.

How to Babysit when the Parents are Home (3 Steps to Success)

Learn how to communicate well with the parents, set boundaries with the children, and establish who’s in charge so the job runs smoothly.

Can You Write Off Babysitting Expenses? (Tax Guide For Babysitters)

Learn what babysitting expenses sitters are eligible for, and receive a tax credit or deduction. It could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars!

How to Add Babysitting to Your Resume (Sample Job Skills & Example Templates)

Impress future employers with a professional resume that highlights your babysitting experience. Follow our simple guide and get that job!

Face Painting For Babysitters (Pure Joy & Excitement for Kids!)

Try face painting on your next babysitting job and discover the pure delight and wonder that children can experience. You can be the best babysitter ever!

Babysitting FAQ for Caregivers (Everything Beginner-Babysitters Need to Know)

Read our detailed answers to the frequently asked questions by beginner babysitters.

How to Get Kids to Bed When Babysitting (Ssssssh… 8 Bedtime Secrets!)

Learn these 8 simple tricks to nail a successful bedtime every night! It's surprising how many of these sleeping tips are not commonly known.

How to Stay Safe When Babysitting (Essential Tips You Should Know)

Learn all the steps for keeping safe from the interview, to on the job childcare. Our tips include preventative measures and best practices while babysitting kids.

What to Wear When Babysitting (How to be Professional and Practical)

Strike the best balance between professional and practical by following our handy clothing tips for your next babysitting job.

Should you Babysit when Sick? (How to Manage Parent Expectations)

How sick is too sick? Do I need to find a replacement? What are the risks of babysitting when sick? Read on for the answers.

Can Men Babysit? Why Aren’t There Many Male Babysitters?

Men can definitely babysit, but there is a lot of stigmatism in child care. We go over the challenges male babysitters face, as well as how to overcome them.

Is Babysitting an Easy Job? (The truth is, it's up to you)

Learn some simple tricks to make babysitting easier and more fun for both you and the kids. Sitting doesn't have to be difficult.

How to Be a Safe Babysitter (Essential Safety Tips You Should Know)

Learn how to be a safe babysitter by following our essential safety tips and best practices while looking after children. Safety is so important!

Best Kids Books for Babysitters (Plus Follow-on Activities that Kids Love)

Take your babysitting to the next level by reading these iconic children's books that naturally lead to fun and engaging activities that kids love

Should Babysitters Clean? (How to Set Parent Expectations)

Cleaning is a part of doing a good job. A good babysitter will tidy up any mess made while caring for the children. But how much cleaning is necessary?

How to Babysit a Baby: The Beginner’s Guide

Learn how to babysit a baby by following our simple beginners guide and you’ll know what to do in no time.

What Should I Bring to a Babysitting Job? (18 Essential Items to Pack)

The best way to bring your A-game is to be prepared for everything. This article will help you pack the ultimate babysitting pack.

Does Babysitting for Free Count as Community Service?

Learn why babysitting for free is definitely a form of community service and how it can help people in the community and you.

Is Babysitting Considered Work Experience?

Babysitting can definitely be considered work experience for your resume, job application, or college application. See how to list your experience...

Is Babysitting a Real Job?

Babysitting is most definitely a real job. Sitters get paid in real money and have real work. You can also earn more while babysitting than a lot of other jobs.

Can You Babysit Without Qualifications?

In most places, you don't need qualifications to babysit. However, parents prefer carers with a First Aid Certificate & other basic credentials. Find out what qualifications you need.

Get Your Printable Babysitting Kit (Download Free Forms, Checklists & Documents)

Download and print our free babysitting kit. It's packed full of useful resources to make childcare easy and fun.

Fun things to do when babysitting 200+ Kids Games, Activities & Entertainment Ideas

205 Kids Games, Activities & Ideas to keep even the fussiest kids entertained for hours.

Apps for Babysitters Be more productive, professional and fun!

We’ve assembled the best apps for babysitters to help track time, schedule clients, teach and entertain kids, and even turn your phone into a baby monitor.

28 Skills you can Learn from Babysitting (And why they're so valuable)

See all the skills that babysitting can teach you and learn why most of them are fully transferable to other occupations.

Why Become a Babysitter? (11 Reasons Why it's a Fulfilling Job)

We explore the main benefits of being a babysitter to help you decide if it's the right job for you.

How to babysit a sick child (10 worry-free tips)

Caring for sick children doesn't have to be difficult. Follow my 10 worry-free tips to create a fun and rewarding experience that encourages a fast recovery, and don't get sick in the process!

Babysitting Help for Parents

If you've never used a babysitter before, or if you just need help to find and secure the best sitter for your family, then Kidsit is here to help.

We have a library of useful articles that is continually added to by babysitters, childcare professionals, and fellow parents who've been through this before.

Our collective experiences and advice can help you navigate the tricky process of finding and employing a babysitter with confidence and peace of mind.

At Kidsit, we believe that babysitting is an essential service for busy families that helps kids and parents achieve the best they can be.

Read our latest articles for parents:

How to Find a Babysitter for an Autistic Child (The Complete Guide)

This guide will answer all of your questions about finding, vetting, teaching, and working with the right babysitter for your autistic child.

Babysitting Glossary For Parents (Common Childcare Terms Defined)

Read our list of common babysitting terms and phrases along with helpful definitions to help busy parents.

Is Daycare Cheaper than a Nanny? (Full Price Breakdown)

Learn about the pros, cons, and costs of both daycare programs and hiring a nanny, plus we investigate some alternatives to consider.

The Best Ways to Hire a Babysitter (The Complete Guide)

Follow our step by step guide to hiring a babysitter from start to finish including screening, interviewing, performing background checks, and making an offer.

What is a Babysitter? (And Why Parent's Love Them)

Learn exactly what a babysitter is, what job duties they do, the hours they work, how much they charge, and how they can help your family.

How to Run a Background Check on a Babysitter (The Complete Guide)

Learn the types of babysitter background checks that are available for safety and peace of mind and which ones are right for you.

Can You Write Off Babysitting Expenses? (Babysitting Tax Guide For Parents)

Learn what babysitting expenses parents are eligible for, and receive a tax credit or deduction. It can save you thousands of dollars!

What to Look For in a Babysitter (12 Essential Qualities)

Learn which qualities and characteristics a babysitter should have that make them a great caregiver your whole family will love.

Warning Signs of a Bad Babysitter (18 Red Flags to Watch Out For!)

Learn the warning signs of a bad babysitter so you can take action as soon as possible and keep your family safe.

Babysitter vs Nanny (Which Is Best For Your Family?)

Make the right choice for your family by learning the subtle differences between babysitters and nannies and their typical responsibilities.

29 Jobs For New Moms (Who Can't Afford A Babysitter)

Learn which jobs are super flexible and let you work around your existing childcare schedule and earn some extra money!

Babysitter Pay (The Complete Guide for Parents)

Learn how much babysitters get paid in various countries and cities, and how to price a babysitter for your specific situation.

What to Give a Babysitter for Christmas (29 Gift Ideas)

Discover the best holiday gift for your babysitter that's not stressful or costs a lot of money but still shows them that you care.

37 Babysitter Pranks (Funny, Harmless & Easy to Do!)

Be aware that pulling a prank on your babysitter means you're probably going to get one in return. So make sure you can handle the consequences!

Benefits Of Hiring A Babysitter (42 Unexpected Advantages)

Learn some non-obvious benefits when it comes to hiring a babysitter for your child or children. We'll also touch on a few of the disadvantages to consider.

How To Interview A Babysitter (Essential Tips & Trusted Techniques)

Follow our tips to make sure the interview process goes smoothly and read our general guide on how the process should work.

Do Babysitters Wash Dishes & Do Other Chores? (What to Expect)

Learn whether a babysitter should do any cleaning as well as what types of cleaning you should and shouldn't expect them to do.

What Information Do You Leave for a Babysitter? (Bonus Checklist Below)

Give your babysitter all the information they need by printing out our handy parent details form. Never forget important instructions.

How to Fire a Babysitter Politely (Plus 10 Reasons to Let Them Go)

Learn how to fire your babysitter nicely and as smoothly as possible. As well as reasons you might fire a babysitter and reasons why you probably shouldn't.

Is It Legal to Record a Babysitter? (What the Law Says)

Learn the basic laws that various countries have about recording people with or without their consent, and see the pros and cons of using a nanny cam.

43 Babysitter Interview Questions (And What Responses to Look For)

Make sure your babysitter is capable, experienced, is a great fit for your family, and has a great personality too by asking the right questions.

What to Do When You Can't Find a Babysitter? (Try Our 13 Sitter Alternatives)

Your best option is to reach out to family and friends for a favor. If they aren't able to help, try our list of creative alternatives.

What Age Do You Stop Needing A Babysitter? (Age & Maturity Guide)

Learn how old, mature and capable your kids need to be before you can be comfortable leaving them home without a babysitter.

How Often Do You Use a Babysitter? (Learn What's Right For You)

The majority of families will need to hire a babysitter between once per week and 1-2 times per month but it depends on your family's individual needs.

How Many Babies Can a Babysitter Watch?

Babysitters can take care of more than one child at once. But there is a limit on how many kids a babysitter can watch effectively.

Can You Sue a Babysitter? (What the Law Says)

To successfully win a lawsuit against a negligent babysitter, you'll need to prove a duty of care, a breach of their duty, and causation.

Is it Safe to Hire a Male Babysitter? (Facts and Stats You Should Know)

A male babysitter can be just as safe, caring, and responsible as a female one. Compare their qualifications and recommendations just like other candidates.

Can a Babysitter Take a Child to the Doctor? (How to Grant Permission)

Learn what paperwork is required to allow your babysitter to take your child to the doctor if you’re unavailable to do so.

How Old Should An Overnight Babysitter Be? (Safety Guide)

Learn how to choose a mature and capable babysitter that can keep your kids safe on overnight sitting jobs.

Do You Pay a Babysitter for an Interview? (When to Pay Guide)

It's not normal to pay a babysitter for an interview, however, for babysitting, there's one key exception you should know.

Do You Provide Dinner for Your Babysitter? (Try These 8 Easy Food Ideas)

Learn what babysitters expect from parents when it comes to food. If you decide to provide dinner, try our 8 easy food ideas that are perfect for babysitters on the job.