+ Profile + Job

Special Needs Babysitters Palmerston North, Manawatū-Whanganui (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 Palmerston North


Isla Thompson

Isla Thompson
Palmerston North, Manawatū-Whanganui

Activity summary

Member since: Apr 2025

Creative, Fun-loving 17 year-old with experience!

Kia Ora!

I am Isla; A 17 year old student living in Feilding, Manawatu. I am currently studying NCEA Level 3 at Te Kura Correspondence School, taking a wide variety of subjects! In my spare time, I enjoy baking and cooking, arts/crafts, I play multiple instruments and sing, and designing houses on Sims. I live with my partner, my 3 flatmates, and flat-cat, Lark who is 2. I grew up in a large family, the oldest of 4. I have two younger brothers and a younger sister, all of varying ages, and I have helped to care for them my entire life. I have also grown up around animals, having owned dogs, cats, and fish myself in the past.

I hope that I am a good fit for your family, and look forward to getting to know you as well!

Much love, Isla

Special Needs Babysitter, Babysitter, Parent helper $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
  • Toilet training
  • Changing nappies
  • 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

I can do tutoring

  • Tutoring

Pet sitting $20 / hour

Pets I'm comfortable caring for:

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

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 $18 / 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

  • Yard work
  • Cleaning
  • Elderly care / companionship

My availability

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

I can travel to neighboring suburbs/towns of Palmerston North 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

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
    • Asthma training
  • 4 years experience working with pets
    • I'm comfortable with pets
    • I have pets
  • General credentials:
    • Email verified
    • 17 years old
    • Police check
    • Driver's license
    • I have a car
    • Non-smoker / non-vaper
    • Permanent resident
    • Covid vaccinated
    • Languages I can speak: English

I am a current student in highschool, I have NCEA Level 2 with a merit subject endorsement in Geography and all-rounded results in my other subjects. I am currently studying NCEA Level 3, through Te Kura Correspondence, intending to do further tertiary studies next year. I take English, Mathematics, Physics, Music and Geography.

My skills and interests:

  • Music
  • Singing
  • Reading / storytelling
  • Drawing / painting
  • Arts / crafts
  • Sports
  • Nature
  • Gardening
  • Cooking
  • Design
  • Computers
  • Writing

Contact Isla 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 Palmerston North, Manawatū-Whanganui, New Zealand (Updated 21 Sep 2025)

Palmerston North babysitters are paid an average of $23.65 per hour as of September 2025, which is 5.1% lower than the New Zealand average of $24.92. A fair pay rate depends on babysitter credentials, specific job requirements, and local demand for babysitting services in Palmerston North.
1 Kid 2 Kids 3+ Kids
Palmerston North:
$21.50 $23.65 $25.80
New Zealand:
$22.65 $24.92 $27.18

Rates are calculated weekly from our live member data. Prices are shown in New Zealand dollars (NZD). 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?