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Special Needs Babysitters McSherrystown, PA (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.

Show all babysitters in McSherrystown


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Mariah Gilbert
McSherrystown, PA

Activity summary

Member since: Jun 2024

Special Needs Babysitter, Babysitter $15/hour

Child ages I'm comfortable caring for:

  • Newborns (0 - 2 months)
  • Babies (3 - 12 months)
  • Toddlers (1 - 2 years)
  • Preschoolers (3 - 4 years)
  • Up to 2 children at once

Childcare duties I can do:

  • Light meals
  • Full meals
  • Bottle feeding
  • Toilet training
  • Changing diapers
  • Bathing kids
  • Help with homework
  • Care for twins/multiples

I'm available for events

  • Special event babysitting
  • Corporate functions babysitting
  • Wedding babysitting

I can provide special needs care

  • Care for special needs kids

Household duties I can do:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry / washing

Pet sitting $15 / hour

Pets I'm comfortable caring for:

  • Dogs
  • Cats
  • Birds
  • Fish
  • Reptiles
  • Small animals (rabbits, ferrets, etc.)

Other pet duties I can do:

  • Feeding
  • Pet playtime
  • Daily exercise for your pet
  • 24/7 supervision
  • Care for puppies
  • Care for senior dogs
  • Care for kittens
  • Care for senior cats

Other pet services I can provide

  • Pet checker (home visits to check on pets)
  • Pet daycare (at my place during the day)

I can do house sitting

  • House sitting

Other services I can provide

  • Cleaning
  • Elderly care / companionship

My availability

I'm looking for Casual/temporary, Part-time employment.

I can travel to neighboring suburbs/towns of McSherrystown 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
  • Valentine's Day
  • Overnight jobs
  • Vacations with the family

My credentials

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

  • 5 years experience working with children
  • 4 years experience working with pets
    • I'm comfortable with pets
    • Have a pet carrier
  • General credentials:
    • Email verified
    • 18 years old
    • Non-smoker / non-vaper
    • Languages I can speak: English

My skills and interests:

  • Music
  • Reading / storytelling
  • Swimming
  • Nature

Contact Mariah 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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(remains private)

Niamh Lor Shaffer

Niamh Lor Shaffer
Hanover, PA

Activity summary

Member since: Aug 2024

Here to be as helpful to my community as possible!

Hello! My name is Niamh, however a more easily pronounced and memorable way to say and spell my name is Navi. I have a passion for arts and wildlife! My eventual goal is to study wildlife biology and conservation in University. For now I’m taking a gap year and would love to help out working parents and pet parents! I understand that being a full-time parent comes with a lot of financial responsibilities, so I’m willing to work for lower prices, and would love to help on holidays and give you a break! I also understand that managing household chores is also a difficult task when you’re a parent and would love to also help with those. I have a passion for art and expressing creativity, so if you have an artsy kid I can absolutely help nurture those passions! I’m willing to do tutoring and homework help as well.

Special Needs Babysitter, Babysitter $11/hour

Child ages I'm comfortable caring for:

  • 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)

Childcare duties I can do:

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

I can provide special needs care

  • Care for special needs kids

Household duties I can do:

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

I can do tutoring

  • Tutoring

Pet sitting $10 / hour

Pets I'm comfortable caring for:

  • Dogs
  • Cats

Other pet duties I can do:

  • Administering medications
  • Feeding
  • Pet playtime
  • Daily exercise for your pet
  • 24/7 supervision
  • Care for puppies
  • Care for senior dogs
  • Care for kittens
  • Care for senior cats

Dog walking $10 / hour

  • Small dogs (0—22lbs / 0—10kg)
  • Medium dogs (22—44lbs / 10—20kg)
  • Large dogs (44—88lbs / 20—40kg)
  • Giant dogs (+88lbs / +40kg)

Other pet services I can provide

  • Pet checker (home visits to check on pets)

I can do house sitting

  • House sitting

Other services I can provide

  • Cleaning

My availability

I'm looking for Casual/temporary employment.

I can travel to surrounding suburbs/towns of Hanover 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
  • Valentine's Day
  • Overnight jobs

My credentials

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

  • 4 years experience working with children
    • CPR training
    • First aid training
    • First aid training for babies
    • I carry a first aid kit
  • 16 years experience working with pets
    • I'm comfortable with pets
    • I have pets
  • General credentials:
    • Email verified
    • 19 years old
    • Driver's license
    • I have a car
    • Covid vaccinated
    • Languages I can speak: English

I was a member of the BSA and was certified for both CPR and First Aid, I then went to the red cross to receive training and certification for CPR for all ages including newborns. I worked in a daycare as a nonprofit student in high school, and have 6 younger siblings as well as a nephew that I look after. I took an Understanding Youths course in high school. I have a passion for paving the way for the future, and helping to teach younger people compassion and art. I’ve had pets my whole life, including cats, dogs, and ferrets, and most recently I rescued and cared for two baby raccoons before I found a rescue center with openings for them. I have been checked and vaccinated for rabies if that was a potential concern! I’m able to look after puppies, kittens, elder dogs and elder cats, as well as special needs animals as I’ve had them myself. My eventual goal is to study wildlife biology and conservation in University, and I’d love to get more experience working with animals as I take a gap year to save up for university. I currently take care of 3 elders, two of them my maternal grandparents and the other my great aunt, and I have 3 cats, one of them being blind.

My skills and interests:

  • Music
  • Singing
  • Dance
  • Comedy
  • Reading / storytelling
  • Drawing / painting
  • Arts / crafts
  • Sports
  • Fitness
  • Video
  • Computers

Contact Niamh 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

Powered by Google

(remains private)

Lydiah Rain

Lydiah Rain
Hanover, PA

Activity summary

Member since: Sep 2025

Special Needs Babysitter, Babysitter $15/hour

Child ages I'm comfortable caring for:

  • Babies (3 - 12 months)
  • Toddlers (1 - 2 years)
  • Preschoolers (3 - 4 years)
  • Small school kids (5 - 8 years)
  • Up to 3 children at once

Childcare duties I can do:

  • Light meals
  • Full meals
  • Bottle feeding
  • Taking kids on outings
  • Help with homework

I can provide special needs care

  • Care for special needs kids

Household duties I can do:

  • Housekeeping

Other services I can provide

  • Elderly care / companionship

My availability

I'm looking for Casual/temporary employment.

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

Here's my weekly availability:

M T W T F S S

Morn

✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ - -

Day

✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ - -

Arvo

✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ - -

Eve.

✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ - - -

Nite

✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ - - -

I'm available for:

  • School holidays

My credentials

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

  • 5 years experience working with children
    • Babysitting course complete
    • Bachelor of early childhood education (currently studying)
  • General credentials:
    • Email verified
    • 23 years old
    • Languages I can speak: English

My skills and interests:

  • Music
  • Dance
  • Reading / storytelling
  • Drawing / painting
  • Arts / crafts
  • Cooking
  • Writing

Contact Lydiah 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

Powered by Google

(remains private)


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?

Powered by Google

(remains private)


Babysitting Pay Rates McSherrystown, PA, United States (Updated 18 Oct 2025)

McSherrystown babysitters are paid an average of $15.13 per hour as of October 2025, which is 14.9% lower than the Pennsylvanian average of $17.77, and 18% lower than the United States average of $18.44. A fair pay rate depends on babysitter credentials, specific job requirements, and local demand for babysitting services in McSherrystown.
1 Kid 2 Kids 3+ Kids
McSherrystown:
$13.75 $15.13 $16.50
Pennsylvania:
$16.15 $17.77 $19.38
United States:
$16.76 $18.44 $20.11

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


Special Needs Care Our Babysitters Can Offer

Find a babysitter who has the right skills that match the special needs of your child. Our babysitters can offer care for the following conditions:

  • Food allergies
  • Diabetes
  • Asthma
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
  • Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) / Conduct Disorder (CD)
  • Anxiety disorder
  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
  • Down syndrome
  • Intellectual disabilities
  • Deaf / hard of hearing
  • Visual impairments
  • Sleep disorders

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?