You are a young teen and you want to work. With your parent’s permission, you can start babysitting at age 13. You may have experience sitting for your own family and you are now old enough to be responsible. Parents, who need help with their children, love that you are young, live nearby and you are willing to work. Babysitting jobs for teenagers is a great way to make extra money and gain experience. Moms and dads are posting the need for a babysitter online at Craigslist, in the Pennysaver, at the Library, on Job Boards like ours and at other sitting sites like the Sitters Cafe and Care.
Types of Jobs and Duties
There are different types of babysitter jobs and requirements. You can find work with online agencies or through people you know. You can work for Sitters Cafe if you are 14 years old and older. Care.com asks that you are much older. Some parents just need someone for a couple of hours in the morning and after school, while others want to have a teen on call for the occasional night out. There are also full time summer positions and live-in nanny jobs.
If you want to work for an organization like the YMCA or a Pre-school, you might have to be 18 years old with CPR training. Other requirements could be a clean driving record, flexible hours and a non-smoker. Experience with young children is needed because most of the kids are younger than 5 years old.
Duties might include diapering, feeding, cooking, playing, reading, nap time and light housework. There are some babysitting jobs for teenagers where the parents would be in the house and just need a mother's helper. Pay can be anywhere between 5 and 12 dollars an hour.
Babysitting Games
Activities for kids depends on their age and personality. Most kids like it when you get down to their level. This might mean sitting on the floor with them and playing with their favorite toy. Play with children rather than giving them something to do on their own. Here are a few suggestions:
Books – Reading a book is a great activity for all ages.
Learning Toys – These type of toys are suitable for babies and toddlers. They include blocks, easy puzzles, and cause and effect type of toys.
Outside Play – Most children enjoy playing on swings, throwing a ball, making a snowman, digging in sand or taking a walk.
Crafts – You can print out craft ideas from the internet or bring your own. Watercolor paints and stickers, play dough and coloring books are usually a hit.
Pretend Play – This is a fun idea that works with toddlers and kids up to age 6 or 7. Pick a doll or action figure and have it talk to the other dolls. Build little towns and have your dolls visit each other’s houses. Put on a play or put on a puppet show.
Board Games – Older children might like to play board games, cards, Checkers and trivia games.
Physical Play – Musical chairs and tag are time tested fun activities. Put on some music and sing and dance.
Babysitting Rates
What you will be paid per hour varies. If you go through an agency, they can suggest a rate. If you work privately, you can suggest a rate and see what the parents say. You can ask for more money if you are watching more than one child. You can also ask for more if your duties involve cleaning and cooking. It is best to stay with the going rate in your neighborhood. Ask friends what rate they have paid or have charged. The going babysitting rate may depend on the income level of the inhabitants of your town and can vary from $4 an hour to $12 an hour. You might also be asked to accept a flat rate for the night.
Training
Before you start your job search, see if your local Red Cross or community center is giving babysitting lessons and a CPR course. Obtaining some education will help you land a good job. If you cannot attend a Red Cross class, you can learn by reading or viewing videos online. Search for "babysitting tips". You will find advice such as how to be safe, how to play with kids, how to discipline and manage children, and how to communicate with parents.
Job Search
These are the various ways that teens are finding babysitting jobs.
Announce on Facebook that you are available especially for holidays.
Spread the word at Church. Volunteer in the Church daycare.
If you are old enough, register with an agency such as Care.com and Sitters Cafe.
Look at job boards like Indeed, Monster, and Simply Hired and search on the term 'babysitter'.
Ask your neighbors.
Post a Flyer at the Library.
Get certified at the Red Cross.
Start off as a Mother's Helper and gain parent's confidence.
Safety First
Whatever you do, involve your parents. Always be safe. Your parents should meet your potential employers. Your mom or dad should know where you are going, and whose house you will be in. The employer will feel better knowing where you come from as well.
Types of Jobs and Duties
There are different types of babysitter jobs and requirements. You can find work with online agencies or through people you know. You can work for Sitters Cafe if you are 14 years old and older. Care.com asks that you are much older. Some parents just need someone for a couple of hours in the morning and after school, while others want to have a teen on call for the occasional night out. There are also full time summer positions and live-in nanny jobs.
If you want to work for an organization like the YMCA or a Pre-school, you might have to be 18 years old with CPR training. Other requirements could be a clean driving record, flexible hours and a non-smoker. Experience with young children is needed because most of the kids are younger than 5 years old.
Duties might include diapering, feeding, cooking, playing, reading, nap time and light housework. There are some babysitting jobs for teenagers where the parents would be in the house and just need a mother's helper. Pay can be anywhere between 5 and 12 dollars an hour.
Babysitting Games
Activities for kids depends on their age and personality. Most kids like it when you get down to their level. This might mean sitting on the floor with them and playing with their favorite toy. Play with children rather than giving them something to do on their own. Here are a few suggestions:
Books – Reading a book is a great activity for all ages.
Learning Toys – These type of toys are suitable for babies and toddlers. They include blocks, easy puzzles, and cause and effect type of toys.
Outside Play – Most children enjoy playing on swings, throwing a ball, making a snowman, digging in sand or taking a walk.
Crafts – You can print out craft ideas from the internet or bring your own. Watercolor paints and stickers, play dough and coloring books are usually a hit.
Pretend Play – This is a fun idea that works with toddlers and kids up to age 6 or 7. Pick a doll or action figure and have it talk to the other dolls. Build little towns and have your dolls visit each other’s houses. Put on a play or put on a puppet show.
Board Games – Older children might like to play board games, cards, Checkers and trivia games.
Physical Play – Musical chairs and tag are time tested fun activities. Put on some music and sing and dance.
Babysitting Rates
What you will be paid per hour varies. If you go through an agency, they can suggest a rate. If you work privately, you can suggest a rate and see what the parents say. You can ask for more money if you are watching more than one child. You can also ask for more if your duties involve cleaning and cooking. It is best to stay with the going rate in your neighborhood. Ask friends what rate they have paid or have charged. The going babysitting rate may depend on the income level of the inhabitants of your town and can vary from $4 an hour to $12 an hour. You might also be asked to accept a flat rate for the night.
Training
Before you start your job search, see if your local Red Cross or community center is giving babysitting lessons and a CPR course. Obtaining some education will help you land a good job. If you cannot attend a Red Cross class, you can learn by reading or viewing videos online. Search for "babysitting tips". You will find advice such as how to be safe, how to play with kids, how to discipline and manage children, and how to communicate with parents.
Job Search
These are the various ways that teens are finding babysitting jobs.
Announce on Facebook that you are available especially for holidays.
Spread the word at Church. Volunteer in the Church daycare.
If you are old enough, register with an agency such as Care.com and Sitters Cafe.
Look at job boards like Indeed, Monster, and Simply Hired and search on the term 'babysitter'.
Ask your neighbors.
Post a Flyer at the Library.
Get certified at the Red Cross.
Start off as a Mother's Helper and gain parent's confidence.
Safety First
Whatever you do, involve your parents. Always be safe. Your parents should meet your potential employers. Your mom or dad should know where you are going, and whose house you will be in. The employer will feel better knowing where you come from as well.
