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Special Needs Babysitters Iowa City, IA (Contact for Free)

Find the right babysitter who has experience with the special needs of your child. We have members who specialize in autism, Down syndrome, dyslexia, food allergies, diabetes, asthma, and much more. See our Pay Rates.

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Anna Lindower

Anna Lindower
Iowa City, IA

Activity summary

Member since: Jun 2024

Iowa City Babysitter for the Summer!

Hello! My name is Anna and I am 23 years old and looking for a family to help out with babysitting or petsitting starting in July! I love to be outside and stay active, and I have enough energy to keep up with even the most energized kids! :) Working with kids has always been so rewarding for me, and something I want to pursue in a career. I am currently an English teacher in Austria where I am teaching kids ages 10-16 English, however I am returning to Iowa City in July for the summer. I am an open minded, caring and dependable person and I would be more than happy to help out a family with any babysitting or petsitting needs for this summer! I also have lots of experience pet sitting for both cats and dogs over the past 8 years. I have helped out my neighbors when they are out of town. Please let me know if you have any questions at all and I look forward to hearing from you! :)

Babysitter, Parent helper, Nanny $20/hour

Child ages I'm comfortable caring for:

  • Newborns (0 - 2 months)
  • Babies (3 - 12 months)
  • Toddlers (1 - 2 years)
  • Preschoolers (3 - 4 years)
  • Small school kids (5 - 8 years)
  • Tweens (9 - 12 years)
  • Teenagers (13+ years)
  • Up to 4 children at once

Childcare duties I can do:

  • Light meals
  • Full meals
  • Bottle feeding
  • Transporting kids
  • Taking kids on outings
  • Toilet training
  • Changing diapers
  • Bathing kids
  • Help with homework
  • Care for special needs kids
  • Care for twins/multiples

Household duties I can do:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry/washing
  • Grocery shopping
  • Running errands

I'm available for events:

  • Special event babysitting
  • Corporate functions babysitting
  • Wedding babysitting

Other services I can provide

  • Pet sitting (click for details)
  • Dog walking (click for details)
  • Pet training
  • Pet grooming
  • Pet daycare
  • Pet boarding
  • House sitting
  • Yard work
  • Cleaning
  • Tutoring

My availability

I'm looking for Casual/temporary employment.

I can travel to neighboring suburbs/towns of Iowa City for work.

Here's my weekly availability:

M T W T F S S

Morn

Day

Arvo

Eve.

Nite

I'm available for:

  • Last minute bookings
  • School holidays
  • Public holidays
  • Overnight jobs
  • Full weekends
  • Vacations with the family

My credentials

I'm happy to provide written documentation of my qualifications and credentials:

  • 5 years experience working with children
    • CPR training
    • First aid training
    • Water safety training
  • 5 years experience working with pets
    • I'm comfortable with pets
    • I have pets
    • Pet owner references
  • General credentials:
    • 24 years old
    • Police check
    • Drivers license
    • Emergency car access
    • I have a car
    • Non-smoker/non-vaper
    • Covid vaccinated
    • Languages I can speak: English and German
    • Email verified

I graduated from Denison University in 2023 with a degree in Biology and German. I love to be outside! I really enjoy hiking, and running and staying active. I am always down for doing something creative as well, if it's drawing, painting, or dancing. I also love playing board games! I am really good with kids of all ages, I am well experienced with kids and teens. I worked as a life guard and swim instructor for 4 years during high school where I gained lots of valuable experience in water safety and teaching swim lessons to kids ages 4-10. I was also a summer camp counselor for a year and now I work as a teacher for kids ages 10-16. I really enjoy being around kids!

My skills and interests:

  • Music
  • Singing
  • Dance
  • Comedy
  • Reading/storytelling
  • Drawing/painting
  • Sports
  • Fitness
  • Swimming
  • Nature
  • Foreign languages

Contact Anna For Free

Your job requirements will be sent with your message.

Select the services you need:

Childcare

How many kids need care?

Pet sitting

Other pet services you need:

Dog walking

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Select the Services You Need

Do you need childcare services?

How many kids need care?

Do you need pet sitting services?

Other pet services you need:

Do you need dog walking services?

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Babysitting Pay Rates Iowa City, IA, United States (Updated 13 Sep 2025)

Iowa City babysitters are paid an average of $22 per hour as of September 2025, which is 10.2% higher than the Iowa average of $19.97, and 19.6% higher than the United States average of $18.39. A fair pay rate depends on babysitter credentials, specific job requirements, and local demand for babysitting services.
1 Kid 2 Kids 3+ Kids
Iowa City:
$20.00 $22 $24
Iowa:
$18.15 $19.97 $21.78
United States:
$16.72 $18.39 $20.06

Rates are calculated weekly from our live member data. Prices are shown in United States dollars (USD). If you republish our rates please credit kidsit.com 😊

Don't know how much to pay? See our parents' guide to babysitting pay rates



Top 10 Tips For Hiring A Special Needs Babysitter

Follow these handy tips for hiring a special needs babysitter so you can feel confident your child will be safe, supported, and happy.

1. Look for relevant experience

Choose babysitters who have worked with children with similar diagnoses, behaviors, or medical needs.

2. Check training and certifications

Ask about CPR, first aid, and any specialized training (e.g., administering medication, ABA therapy, seizure response).

3. Ask detailed questions

Discuss how they would handle meltdowns, medical emergencies, or communication challenges.

4. Request references

Speak to families of children with special needs they’ve cared for before.

5. Arrange a meet-and-greet

Observe how they interact with your child and whether they connect in a patient, caring way.

6. Be clear about routines

Provide written instructions for meals, bedtime, medications, and calming strategies.

7. Communicate about triggers and supports

Share sensory sensitivities, behavioral strategies, and comfort items.

8. Confirm reliability

Ensure they can commit to consistent care and handle unexpected situations calmly.

9. Start with short sessions

Begin with trial sittings so your child and babysitter can build trust gradually.

10. Trust your instincts

Choose someone who shows genuine empathy, patience, and respect for your child’s individuality.


Special Needs Babysitter Interview Questions

Ask the following questions when interviewing special needs babysitter candidates to help you find someone who’s skilled, patient, and the right fit for your child.

Experience & Background

  • What experience do you have caring for children with special needs?
  • Have you worked with children who have [your child’s specific condition, e.g., autism, ADHD, Down syndrome, epilepsy]?
  • How do you adapt your caregiving style to different needs and abilities?
  • Can you share an example of a challenging situation you faced and how you handled it?

Skills & Training

  • Are you certified in CPR and first aid?
  • Have you had training in behavior management, sensory support, or therapies (ABA, speech, occupational)?
  • Are you comfortable assisting with mobility equipment, feeding tubes, or other medical supports?
  • Are you willing to learn specific care techniques unique to my child?

Communication

  • How do you communicate with children who use alternative methods (signs, devices, gestures)?
  • How do you handle situations where a child has difficulty expressing their needs or emotions?
  • How do you communicate updates and concerns with parents?

Safety & Emergency Preparedness

  • How would you handle a medical emergency, seizure, or allergic reaction?
  • Are you comfortable administering medication, if needed?
  • How do you ensure safety during outings, play, or transitions?

Routines & Behavior

  • How do you approach meltdowns, overstimulation, or behavioral challenges?
  • Are you comfortable following strict routines, or do you prefer flexibility?
  • How do you encourage independence while keeping the child safe?

Personality & Fit

  • What do you enjoy most about working with children with special needs?
  • What qualities make you a good fit for our family and our child?
  • How do you stay patient and positive in stressful situations?