HOW TO START

BABY SITTING
BUSINESS?
 INTRODUCTION
I was never a big fan of babysitting. Its not that I dont
like kids, I just dont want to be responsible for them or
deal with their antics. Fortunately for you, that means
one less person to compete against in the babysitting
market.
The experience I have with babysitting is through my
sisters. While I was in online marketing business they
were wiping noses and reading childrens books.

Ive learned all I can from them to be able to give you

the best details possible if you want to know how to
make easy money as a babysitter.

Ive combined that knowledge with what I consider my

own business expertise to help you turn out a
business that is enjoyable and profitable.

If you love kids and you want to combine your passion

for children with a way to earn income, babysitting is
perfect for you.

Babysitting is a common money making idea. It

probably always will be because kids will always be
around and they will always need to be taken care of.

You dont have to be a teenage girl to be a good

babysitter, but if you are a teenage girl who likes kids,
you will like this job a lot.

Babysitting is great because it can pay well, it doesnt

have to come with a commitment in the same way a
regular job would (ie. set hours, payroll, etc.), and if you
love kids, you get to spend lots of time with them. Also,
you can start babysitting at a younger age.

Babysitting is temporarily caring for a child. Babysitting

can be a paid job for all ages; however, it is best known
as a temporary activity for young teenagers who are
too young to be eligible for employment in the general
economy. It provides autonomy from parental control,
and spending money, as well as an introduction to the
techniques of child care. It emerged as a social role for
teenagers in the 1920s, and became especially
important in suburban America in the 1950s and 1960s,
when there was an abundance of small children. It
stimulated an outpouring of folk culture in the form of
urban legends, pulp novels, and horror films.
General
The majority of the time, babysitting workers tends to
be in middle school, high school or college. There are
some adults who have in-home childcare as well. The
type of work for babysitting workers also varies from
watching a sleeping child, changing diapers, playing
games, preparing meals, to teaching the child to read
or even driving (if the age is right), depending on the
agreement between parents and babysitter.

In some countries various organizations produce

courses for babysitters, many focusing on child safety
and first aid appropriate for infants and children; these
classes or courses can be provided at local hospitals
and schools. These educational programs can equip the
babysitter with information to keep both the children
being cared for, and the sitter themselves, safe in
various scenarios. Different activities will be needed for
babies and toddlers. It will be beneficial for the
babysitters to understand toddler developmental
milestones in order to plan for the necessary activities.
As paid employees, babysitters often require a
disclosure or assessment of one's criminal record in
order to ward off possible hebephiles, pedophiles and
other unsuitable applicants.

Etymology
The term "baby sitter" first appeared in 1937, while the
verb form "baby-sit" was first recorded in 1947. The
American Heritage College Dictionary notes "One
normally would expect the agent noun babysitter with
its -er suffix to come from the verb baby-sit, as diver
comes from dive, but in fact babysitter is first recorded
in 1937, ten years earlier than the first appearance of
baby-sit. Thus the verb was derived from the agent
noun rather than the other way around, and represents
a good example of back-formation. The use of the word
"sit" to refer to a person tending to a child is recorded
from 1800. The term may have originated from the
action of the caretaker "sitting on" the baby in one
room, while the parents were entertaining or busy in
another.

It's also theorized that the term may come from hens
"sitting" on their eggs, thus "caring for" their chicks

International variations in definition

In British English the term refers only to caring for a
child for a few hours, on an informal basis and usually
in the evening when the child is asleep for most of the
time. In American English the term can include caring
for a child for the whole or most of the day, and on a
regular or more formal basis, which would be described
as childminding in British English.

In India and Pakistan a babysitter or nanny is known as

an ayah or aya, a person hired on a longer term
contract basis to look after a child regardless of the
presence of the parents.

Getting Started with a Babysitting

Business
Most people dont think of babysitting as a business,
but that is exactly what it is. If you treat it like a small
business, all aspects will go smoother and you will be
more successful.

If youre worried that treating it like a business will take

away from the flexibility and enjoyment of the job,
dont be. It will only make the process easier.
Starting a childcare business, whether its a large
daycare or a part time hobby, should take some
preparation and thought. As you get started and build a
client base, you will begin to enjoy it more and feel
more comfortable with the kids youre caring for.
1. Getting and Keeping Clients

The first step is to get clients. In this case, a client is a

parent or set of parents that have a child or children
who need childcare. Some might need you on a regular
basis and others might call only occasionally when
something comes up.

The best place to start when looking for clients is with

people you know. The better you know the parents and
kids youre working with, the more comfortable all of
you will feel. Let friends and family know about your
new endeavor. Word of mouth is the best marketing
tactic for babysitting.

Experience with kids is important. If you have none,

even parents you know well will be hesitant.

Find ways to gain experience such as volunteering at

your church childcare program or helping out with your
friends kids birthday parties.

Get involved with the kids you hope to care for. If you
see them at a get together, play with the kids and get
to know them. Let the parents know that youre good
with their children.

Repeat clients come with being a great babysitter. If the

parents like you and the kids like you, youll likely get
called back time and again. Its easier to keep clients
than get new ones, and it is more comfortable for both
parties.

2. Babysitting Different Ages

Babysitting an infant is significantly different from

babysitting a 10 year old. Infants and babies require
more attention and care while older children are more
independent.

However, older children shouldnt be ignored. In some

instances, babies are easier, and sometimes older kids
are easier.

Make sure you know if youre comfortable watching

different ages of kids. If youve never been around
infants, you might want to get some experience first, if
possible.

There is also the possibility that youll babysit a whole

range of ages. Be prepared for every possibility and
know what it takes to watch all ages.

3. How to Be a Good Babysitter

Being a good babysitter is very important. It not only

keeps you working, it helps make parents and kids
happy and keeps kids safe.

Never babysit when you are sick. It is irresponsible and

may spread sickness to anyone in the family youre
watching.

Be responsible. This is a very important one. You are

taking care of little people that are very important,
especially to their parents. If you can show them you
are responsible, they will feel more comfortable with
you. Also, a responsible babysitter will be better
prepared for potentially problems.

Be dependable. Always come on time and dont cancel

last minute. Dependability is important for every kind of
job. The parents are depending on you to be there so
they can get where they need to be on time.

Be good with kids and know what you need to know.

Find out everything you can about childcare and let the
parents know that you know what youre doing.

Also, if you dont love kids, this job isnt for you. Be
prepared to help the children and play with them. Dont
ignore them. A good babysitter is great with kids and
enjoys being around them.

Be courteous, respectful and mature. A careless

attitude and irresponsible actions dont help in any way.
Act like you care and respect the family youre working
for and their home.

4. Babysitting Checklist

Build a checklist to make sure you have everything you

need for every babysitting job. Make sure you know
where youre going well before you leave and bring
everything youll need for the job.

Before the parents leave, get emergency contact

numbers, ask about allergies and medical conditions,
and find out everything you need to do. For example,
ask them about their schedule, when they need to get
 to bed or take a nap, if they have homework or chores,
etc.

5. Dealing with Difficult Children

Misbehaving children can be a problem. Some children

will misbehave now and then. Ask their parents how
they want you to deal with such problems.

Other kids are difficult all the time. Sometimes siblings

will fight constantly and other kids might be overly
hyper or aggressive. Always ask parents about behavior
issues and learn how to keep control of the kids.

If the kids continue to be severely difficult time and

time again, they might be too much for you. It happens.
If there are too many problems that are interfering with
you doing your job correctly, drop the client.
Sometimes it just needs to be done if issues cant be
resolved.

Sometimes people are just looking for a packaged

solution. A lot of parents already know one or two
young people who they employ as babysitters, but after
calling both, they have absolutely no other options.
They would be hesitant to call any kid from the
neighborhood because they aren't sure that they would
be responsible, or know how to care for young children.
Any effective business has a value proposition (that is,
what are you offering that your customers think is
valuable). Yours is that you are:

Responsible - You know how to care for kids.

 Available - You can babysit when they need you
to.

And on their minds - They remember to call you

when they need a sitter.

The next steps will be to prepare yourself to do

business, and then find customers. Basically you need
to:
1. Set a price
2. Learn how to babysit
3. Find customers
I'll detail this in the following sections.

Set a price
If you want to optimize your income, set an hourly price
and make sure you communicate it clearly any time
you try to sell your services. That means, if someone
calls and says: "Are you available to babysit on Friday
night." You answer, "Yes, I charge $X an hour." Be
confident about your price and your customers will be
happy to pay it.
On that note, to set a price you can ask your parents
what they think they'd pay, your friends what they earn
babysitting, and think back to what you've earned
before. Your price should start somewhere in the middle
of the range (I would guess $7-10 an hour, but this
varies based on where you live). When you get to the
point that you can't take any more customers, then you
can raise the price.
It might seem harsh to set the price, maybe they want
to pay less? You might even be willing to earn less. I
can assure you, parents don't really know what to pay a
 babysitter, and you telling them how much you want to
earn makes it easier for them.
When I babysat, I never set my price, and my income
was subject to the whims of my customers (sometimes
$3/hour, and sometimes $15). Setting your price at a
fair number ensures that you don't get paid less than
you're worth.
Learn how to babysit
I'm guessing that your know how to babysit if you're
asking this question. The basic skills of watching over
what the kids are doing, make sure everyone is being
safe, corralling the kids into bed is probably enough for
the average parent. You can make yourself more
lucrative by learning infant and child CPR. Or you could
learn to cook a few basic dinners and add that to your
offerings.
Find customers
After setting a price and making sure your know how to
babysit, your biggest barrier to starting you business is
customer acquisition. You can get customers by doing
the following:
Cold-calling
Cold-texting
Leave a flyer on doorsteps
Your business doesnt exist without customers, so even
if you're shy it's worth doing something scary to get
your business to work. Here, use your value proposition
to convince people to become customers. Make sure
that your let the parents know that you are:
responsible and available, and make sure you're at
the top of their mind when they need a sitter.
 If you choose to cold call, make a list of neighbors that
might need a babysitter. Write yourself a simple script.
Something like this might work: "Hi Mrs. Smith. This is
Lou, I'm Carmen and Gordon Smith's daughter. I just
wanted to let you know that I am available for
babysitting jobs. You can call me if you ever need one. I
charge $7 an hour, and am happy to work until 11pm
on weekdays and until 1am on weekends. I've babysat
for the Jones and Larsens before, and I'm great with
kids. Do you want to write down my phone number in
case you ever need me?" ... "Awesome, it's 555-
6821." ... "great, I'll be looking forward to hearing from
you."
This script tells your customer a few things:

Responsible
o You mentioned other families you babysat for.
o You are making a structured effort to get more
business, adults respect that.

Available
o If you'd never have called they might never
have thought of you to babysit.

Made it easy to decide

o You've told them exactly what times you can
babysit, so they know exactly when to call.
o You've told them exactly what it will cost, so
they won't have to wonder or think about it.

Top of their minds

o Making sure they've written down your phone
number is a trick to making sure they think of you when
they need a sitter. That number is going to stick on the
fridge, as a constant reminder of you.
 No Pressure
o I would be terrified to make a call like this, but
there's no pressure on you. They don't have to hire you
during this phone call, you're only asking them to keep
you in mind.
You don't have to cold call. You could send text
messages with the same information instead (then
send your contact info in a vCard that includes your
name, and Babysitter in the business line). You can also
spread flyers around the neighborhood. Nonetheless,
cold calling people will you know will probably be the
most effective method.
Over deliver
To get repeat business, you need to be a good
babysitter! To really grow your business, you have to be
a great babysitter. Some ideas:
Go a little above and beyond on every job:
bring a special game with to play with the kids, clean
up the kids room, fluff up the living room pillows, make
sure all the toys you played with are put away. When
the kids are asleep or busy, look in the dishwasher if it
needs emptying, maybe the floor needs sweeping.
Make yourself available on short notice, even
if you have to turn down your friends sometimes.
Make sure the parents get the sitter they
need. If a parent calls asking for a timeslot you're not
available for, offer to refer them to a friend who also
babysits. If they trust you, they might also trust your
recommendation and you'll be helping both the
customer and your friend.
Starting an in-home daycare business doesn't
require a lot of start up cash or other resources,
but to be successful you need to do some research
 and planning.

You love kids but do you love a lot of kids? If the

answer is yes, and youre looking to start a
business of your own, maybe a home-based
childcare business is perfect for you. What do you
need to know? How do you go from dream to
opening your doors for business?
You love kids but do you love a lot of kids? If the answer
is yes, and youre looking to start a business of your
own, maybe a home-based childcare business is perfect
for you. What do you need to know? How do you go
from dream to opening your doors for business?

Daycare vs. Childcare

First, decide which type of business you would like to
start. A daycare center is often a commercial facility
that provides care for a larger amount of children.
Services are provided on a set scheduleoften 6am to
6pm with meals, activities, and other structured
activities throughout the day.
Babysitting is supervising a small amount of kids, often
on demand rather than a set schedule, and doesnt
include set activities. A daycare business requires
licensing of facilities and people. As a home based
childcare provider, you can have a certain amount of
kids without a license but after that, you may have to
be a licensed provider. Even if you do babysit a larger
amount of kids and need a license, its cheaper than
opening a daycare business.
Because of the nature of the business, start by
babysitting the maximum amount of kids you can
before your state requires licensing. If, after 6 months
to a year, you still enjoy the job, start to grow your
business. The next step might be home-based, state-
licensed childcare.
Requirements
Working with children means a lot of rules. Each state
has numerous laws designed to protect children but
those laws differ greatly from state to state.
Contact your appropriate state agency to find out how
to become licensed. In California, for example, its the
California Department of Social Services. Heres how it
works in that state if you want to provided licensed
home-based childcare.
First, attend an orientation. Theres a $25
nonrefundable fee. To be eligible, you must live in the
home where you will provide the care. You will likely
have to make home modifications, submit to a
background test as well as a Child Abuse Index check
and take 15 hours of preventative health and safety
training. Youre required to keep detailed records for
each child, have your home randomly inspected for
compliance, have a fire safety inspection, and have
somebody with CPR certification on site at all times
children are present.
The maximum amount of children in a home-based
childcare facility in California is 12 childrenno more
than four of whom may be infants in most cases. Other
circumstances may change the maximum number.
The licensed caregiver (you) must be home 80 percent
of the time children are present. A substitute adult may
care for children up to 20 percent of the time. Smoking
is not permitted during normal hours of operation. To
read the complete 80-page document, click here.
After the $25 orientation fee, a $73 application fee for
1-8 children and $140 for 9-14 children applies. Other
fees may apply.
Also make sure that you have appropriate insurance
like fire and theft in addition to homeowners insurance.
You may also need general liability coverage.
Laws and regulations in your state will differ but expect
to spend a considerable amount of time learning about
the many requirements before opening your doors.
Although there are a lot of rules, startup costs are
minimal unless significant home modifications have to
be made.
Daycare
If you outgrow a home-based business, the next step is
a daycare facility. These facilities often operate in
commercially zoned areas and have additional licensing
requirements. You may need a foodservice license since
you will serve meals, occupancy permits, and space
requirements.
In Florida, rooms occupied by children must maintain
room temperatures of 62-82 degrees, have 20 square
feet of indoor space for each child, and 45 square feet
of outdoor fenced-in play space for each child. In
addition, a designated area for napping, and each
individual must complete a 40-hour childcare training
session.
Because of the strict requirements for a daycare
facility, you will need a large amount of children to be a
profitable business. Consider partnering with a local
church or other similar facility. It might already have an
unused facility large enough for such a business. Many
cant afford to pay a staff so a revenue sharing plan
with you could be the perfect solution for both parties.
If you have the startup funds, a commercial space,
located on the right side of the road when traveling into
a city and a detailed sign that lays out your offerings
are two of the keys to gaining business fast. A drop-off
area where busy parents dont have to get out of their
car, and after hours and weekend services will make
you a standout among providers.
Finally, carefully screen all workers. Make sure that they
absolutely love children and arent easily frustrated.
Kids repeat everything said to them. If one of your
workers says or does the wrong thing, your reputation
for loving care could be tarnished, spelling doom for
your business.
Bottom Line
Start small. A home-based childcare or babysitting
service with less than a handful of children will quickly
show you if this is the right business for you. From
there, scale your business. Become a licensed home-
based facility and if you continue to grow and want to
become a professional daycare provider, there are
plenty of opportunities in your community.

Activity Ideas and Tips for Babysitting

Sometimes youll watch kids in their home, and
sometimes youll watch them in other locations. Its
always a good idea to have activities planned just in
case.

Sometimes even when kids are at home they enjoy

things you bring more because its new to them. Also,
spending time with them keeps them busy and happy.
Some ideas you can plan include playing games,
reading books, coloring, cooking simple foods, etc. Try
not to rely on the television. Too much TV isnt good for
anyone and it shouldnt be used to do the job youre
getting paid to do.

Get a backpack and fill it with activities for them to

choose. Some kids may never need them, but they are
good to have for emergencies. For example, if the kids
normally like to play outside and its raining, they may
need something else to keep their attention.

Going the Extra Mile

Going the extra mile is always a great idea. This can
mean anything from washing the dishes when the kids
go to bed to helping them with their homework to
teaching them how to help with a chore.

Babysitting is more than just making sure the kids dont

get into trouble. Making a good impression makes the
parents appreciate you more which will lead to more
calls and more referrals to other parents.

Setting Prices
Setting the right prices can be tricky. You dont want to
charge too much, but you should get what youre
worth. You should charge between $5 and $20 per hour
depending on several factors.
How many kids are you watching? More kids
should always require a higher rate. If one
kid has a friend over for the day, that counts
as an extra kid to care for and should cost
more. Dont set a rate per kid. Have a base
rate and increase it by a smaller amount for
every extra kid.

How old is the child? A baby requires more

responsibility, care, and attention. You can
charge more if youre watching an infant or a baby than
if youre watching an 8 or 9 year old that is
independent.

Other factors could include special needs, extra

instructions, long babysitting length of time, etc. The
exact amount you charge will all depend on the going
rate where you live. Ask other babysitters what they
charge to help you determine your own rate. You can
adjust the rate as you go and gain experience.

Okay, so we have provided you an in-depth sample

babysitting business plan template. We also took it
further by analyzing and drafting a sample babysitting
service marketing plan backed up by actionable
guerrilla marketing ideas for babysitting businesses. In
this article, we will be considering all the requirements
for starting a babysitting business. So put on your
entrepreneurial hat and lets proceed.

Why Start a Babysitting Business?

If you are thinking of a little business that you can start-
up, and you have the passion for children, then you
should consider babysitting. Babysitting is a business
that is not only inexpensive to start up, because you
get to watch the kids in their homes or in other
locations approved of by the parents, but it is also
flexible, not constrained to a particular season, is not
affected by the downturn of the economy, and brings in
the cash as well.

Babysitters depending on their schedules can make as

much as they want, and still have the time to manage
other of lifes demands without being overwhelmed.
However, it is not enough to have the passion and
desire to babysit without having at least a relevant
experience that can be documented, so that
prospective clients can have a proof of your ability, by
using your references as proof of experience.

What Does It Take to Start a Babysitting Business

Successfully?

Aside relevant experience, a serious babysitter that is

looking to make this a profession would need to ensure
that they receive certification that relates to basic child
care and child safety. You might also need to find a
safety and first aid course that is offered by the
American Red Cross or any local non-profit that is
specifically for infant and child safety. You might also
need to seek for a certification in child and infant CPR.
These different certifications will make you marketable,
and will come in handy when you are faced with
emergency situations that could be a matter of life and
death for the children you babysit.
Luckily, baby sitting businesses are not constrained to
seasons or even the economy; this means that you can
make money whenever you want without being worried
about cash gluts. Setting the price for your babysitting
business that your customers find reasonable and isnt
detrimental to your financial need is very important.
Your experience, level of service you intend to offer, the
ages and the number of kids you are babysitting should
act as a justification for whatever amount you choose
to charge. Even though the industry has standard rates
for babysitters, it really wont be out of place, if you
charge a little more or less, depending on factors that
might come into play while babysitting.

Asides just babysitting as the others into the business

do, you could also add additional services that will keep
your clients coming back to you or you can choose the
specific ages of the bay, or children you want to
babysit. You should totally pick what works for you, and
what age range is easier for you to handle as compared
to others.

Babysitting is a common enough money making idea

and will always exist because kids will always be
around and would need to be taken care of. The
problem most people usually encounter in this business
is that they do not treat it as one, and so might not
know that one can be successful from babysitting.
 Starting a Babysitting Business in Your
Home A Complete Guide

Babysitting Business Industry

Overview

The industry is characterized by a high number of

small, mainly non-employing, diversified businesses;
the overall concentration level for the business is low.
The low level concentration which is traditional will
continue for a period of five years, according to
research and statistics.

Interesting Statistics About the

Babysitting Industry

It was also gathered that in 2015 2016, almost two-

thirds of the industrys enterprises are expected to be
made up of non-employing or sole trading firms, with
one-third having between 1 and 19 employees. Only
0.8% of industry firms are expected to have more than
20 employees, and no single company have over 200
employees.

Between 2011 and 2016, there has been a 7% annual

growth, which has brought in revenue of $1 billion. The
industry so far has employed 21,884 workers, and
existing businesses amount to 8,246. In this industry,
there are no companies with a dominant market share.

Over the past few years, average babysitting rate has

steadily increased, and by 2014, the national average
rate was $13.44 per hour, which was up by 28% from
2009. The 2015 babysitting survey found out that more
than ever, the babysitters market was determined by
the babysitters themselves, who controlled their hourly
rates, and even made allowances for annual raises and
even a tip.

According to the survey this means that, tipping

occurred in every one in four babysitters with a 26%
rate, while annual raises were gotten by 87% of
babysitters. 68% of families relied on babysitters to
determine the rates, 40% asked their friends, and 20%
used a pay calculator. Also, 51% of families preferred to
pay older sitters more due to their experience.

The five most expensive cities in the United States to

hire a babysitter were San Francisco, San Jose, Boston,
New York and Washington DC; while the five least
expensive cities were Grand Rapids, Columbia,
Rochester, Salt Lake City and Akron. 48% of mothers
handled the hiring of a babysitter, while 1% of fathers
handled the hiring of babysitters. Only 13% of parents
are involved in the hiring.

Most families usually preferred those that were

between the ages of 20 and 25, certified in CPR, First
Aid or safety training, and a non-smoker. 62% of
parents have hired a babysitter without conducting
background checks or checking references, while 41%
completely trust their babysitters.
According to a USDA report, the average family made
about $50,000 and spends about $500 annually on
baby sitters, which amounts to 1% of income spent on
babysitters. The average babysitter charges $10 per
hour, which is more than the average wage of retail
salespeople or healthcare aides, and invariably spends
about 50 hours per year babysitting. The average night
out is 4 hours and usually happens once a month. The
more a family makes, the more they spend on sitters,
while the lowest income group spent an average of
$350 per year, the highest income group spend about
$740 per year.

Internet services have helped to create a greater

transparency for this industry, as babysitters can see
what others charge and raise or lower their rates
accordingly. More and more people are becoming
babysitters due to a weak job market where even
college students and graduates are willing to become
babysitters.

Starting a Babysitting Business in Your Home Market

Feasibility and Research
Demographics and Psychographics

The demographic and psychographic composition of

babysitters or intending sitters is quite important as
people need to know what they can afford and if the
rate of a babysitter is reasonable compared to others.
Also babysitters can search for lifestyle preference of
those they intend to offer services to, such as pet
lovers or urban dwellers. This is because the people
who mostly seek the services of a babysitter are
families, or single parents.
List of Niche Ideas within the Babysitting
Business Industry

The niches within the babysitting industry, for baby

sitters are basically additional child care related
services that would distinguish a baby sitter from other
competitors. The niches are not necessarily limited to
child care services, if a baby sitter really wants to set
his business apart from others. Also any niche idea
should be one that the baby sitter is absolutely
comfortable with.

Basically, the niche idea areas that can be done in the

babysitting business include;

Helping a child with homework

playing games with the child
engaging the kids in educational play
Help the children with languages the babysitters
are fluent in.
Also, a babysitter can also go on vacations with
families. Most of these services can be offered by
medium to large babysitting business owners who are
usually more conscious of the positive effect their
brands give to customers.

The Level of Competition in the Babysitting

Business Industry

Starting a babysitting business isnt difficult neither is

the start-up cost one that is expensive because this is
essentially a service oriented company. Babysitting
isnt a kind of business that is technically oriented, or
that requires any technical equipment or for that
matter any equipment at all. If you are serious as a
business person, you can start up the business and
start making profit in less than a month. The level of
competition in this industry isnt as stiff as some other
kinds of businesses.

Not only parents get to decide on the kind of baby

sitters their child should have, but most children get a
say as well. A babysitters appearance are of a huge
concern to parents, and so medium to large scale
companies fare better than small business, because a
large scale babysitting business can easily replace a
rejected sitter with one that fits the familys
preferences, unlike a small business owner that will lose
a job, when the family rejects them.

List Of Well Known Brands in the

Babysitting Industry

The babysitting business is like any business where top

brands overtime become more preferred by customers,
this is probably due to the fact that they have had a
better success rate than others in the same industry.
Any serious babysitter should do well to understudy
well known brands, as this could help in avoiding
unnecessary pitfalls. In the United States, some of the
best well known brands are:

Absolute Best Care

 Artist Babysitting Agency LLC
Babysitting Barter
Sensible Sitters
Basically Babysitting
Christines Babysitting Services
Empty Nest Babysitting Service
First Choice Sitters
Guardian Angels Sitting Service
In Good Hands Babysitting
Jack N Jill Babysitting Service
KiddyKare Babysitting Service
On Call Sitters
Out of Hours Babysitting
Overnight Babysitting
Parents Night Out

Economic Analysis

Before venturing into this business, one would have to

ensure that they carry out a thorough research that will
help in deciding if the business is something they want
to do professionally or not. The baby sitting business is
a service oriented industry, and there are many
important factors that you would have to consider when
starting up the business, chief among which is location.
Most parents would prefer babysitters that are within or
close to their location that could turn up in a minutes
notice and not one that lives so far away.
Due to the fact that more families now have two
income earners father and mother, leaving less time
for the parents to be with their kids as they would want
to, it also means that they have more disposable
income that can be used to pay the babysitters that
care for their children, while they are away at work, at
an event or are taking a well deserved vacation from
work.

This is why as an entrepreneur you must note that,

while your location positions your business for growth,
the caliber of clients or customers help sustain that
growth. Locating your business in an area where you
have your target market is so that your companys
bottom line might be healthy and also increase for
possible expansion according to the vision you have for
your company.

Is the Babysitting Business Worth Starting

from Scratch or is Buying a Franchise
Better?

Yes, you can start this business from scratch, as this

isnt a business where any particular company
dominates the market share. The entrepreneur that is
interested in this business needs to be one who has a
passion for children, and wouldnt mind caring for them
while their parents are away.

Buying a franchise might be helpful to entrepreneurs

who do not want the hassles of going out to get
customers, or carrying out an intensive advertising
campaign to get new clients. Most franchises already
have certain mechanics in place, and so getting a
franchise might just be what you need without having
to worry too much about paperwork. Whatever one
decides to go into, should be one that would favor the
entrepreneur in the long run.

Possible Threats and Challenges You Will

Face When Starting a Babysitting Business

Every business person faces threats and challenges,

either within the business or outside. The challenges
faced by babysitters are as follows; when you replace a
favorite babysitter that the kids liked, you might have
challenges with getting them to do as you say; getting
the kids to do homework; having to deal with the
parents as regards what they require from you; having
really difficult parents who would make you stay past
your stipulated time. As a business person, there is
hardly anything you can do about these challenges or
threats, you can only deal with it as they come, and
hope they make you better as an individual and as a
business person.

Starting a Babysitting Business in Your

Home Legal Matter
 Best legal entity to use for this
Babysitting Business
Every business entity requires some legal issues that
would require consideration and adherence. Having a
legal entity for your baby sitting business is so as to
ensure that your business is legal on all fronts. Legality
involves choosing the proper business entity, obtaining
licenses and permits, getting adequate insurance,
dealing with health and safety issues, as well as dealing
with employees if it ever gets to that point.

As a professional babysitter, you could decide to

operate your business as a sole proprietor or enter into
partnership with someone, but it is best if you consider
using a legal form that protects you from personal
liability, such as a limited liability company (LLC) or a
corporation. While a babysitting business might seem
harmless and fun, remember that you will be taking
care of children that arent yours. You will be
responsible for their health and safety for certain hours
every day. There is the possibility that a child could b
injured while under your care, and in which case you
would want the liability to fall on your business and not
on you personally.

The decision on choosing a legal entity depends

entirely on what the long term goal and vision for your
company is, because in getting a legal entity, not only
must you think of what best for your business, but
what will not be a hindrance to your business in future,
should you choose to expand.
Catchy Business Name ideas Suitable for
Babysitting Business

Babyboo Sitting Services

Crawlers and Talkers Sitting Agencies
Short and Tall Sitters
Day and Night Sitting Services
Babysitting and More
Amanda Babysitting Agency
Little feet Babysitting Services
The Best Insurance Policy for a Babysitting
Business

There are risks that are associated with taking care of

infants and small children, particularly in taking care of
their health and safety. Apart from the health and
safety of the child or children you also have to worry
about generic business issues like fire, personal injury,
theft, and property damage. As a serious professional,
you would need to meet with an insurance agent, so
that you could be advised on the best policy that is
suitable for your business.

Here are some of the basic insurance you should

consider purchasing, if you are serious about starting
your business in the United States.

Liability Insurance
Umbrella Insurance Coverage
Abuse and Molestation Coverage
Workers Compensation
Health Insurance
 Hazard Insurance

Does a Babysitting Business Need

Intellectual Property Protection?

If you are venturing into this business, you probably

would not need to be concerned with the hassles of
intellectual property protection, as well as filing of
patents, except you intend to intellectually protect the
logo of your business or a distinctive business
statement. The truth is that most who have been in the
baby sitting business do not consider getting an
intellectual property protection as a necessity.

Does a Babysitting Business Need

Professional Certification?

In unregulated countries where there are no stringent

rules, there might not be strict regulations regarding
the certification for one who is going into or running a
babysitting business. However, in a country like the
United States, this is not so. In the United States, you
would require a certification on first aid and also in
Cardiopumonary Resuscitation (CPR) by taking courses
at the local Red Cross or the YMCA. Licenses can be
gotten at the National Resource Centre for Health and
Safety or at the National Association for Family Child
Care; the licenses are gotten after passing the course.

However those intending to run a medium or large

scale babysitting business, then one would need to
obtain the necessary certifications and licenses from
the relevant authorities such as Child Protection
Agency, the police, and other relevant authorities.
List of Legal Documents You Need to Run a
Babysitting Business

There are several documents that would be required of

anyone who is looking to make a come-in into to
babysitting business. Some of the basic documents
required to run a babysitting business in the United
States are:

Certificate of Incorporation
Company bylaws for corporations
Operating agreement for limited liability company
(LLCs)
Non-disclosure agreement
Employment agreement
Business plan
Memorandum of Understanding
Insurance Policy
Employee handbook
Writing a Business Plan for Your Babysitting Business
Even though some people babysit for others for fun or
out of coercion example for family or friends, an
entrepreneur going into the business and not intending
to sit for fun, would need to have a business plan, as a
babysitting business has to be undertaken as you would
any other business.
A business plan also protects you from throwing your
money into a venture that might not be profitable in the
short or long run. The babysitting business might not
be one that would require a comprehensive or technical
business plan, and you might just end up drafting a
business document, that would contain the essentials a
business plan does.

A business plan is a guideline that shows the

entrepreneurs clear intention of how the proposed
business is intended to run. It also helps in influencing
all business actions and decisions.

Writing a business plan isnt an easy affair, especially

as the strategies that will help you to successfully run
the babysitting business has to be crafted and drafted.
The strategies could range from generating capital or
source funds for the babysitting business to competing
against competitors, from expanding the services of the
business to attracting and retaining customers. Every
business plan needs some key components.

The key components that a business plan is

supposed to have are:

The Executive summary which states in clear terms

what your babysitting business is about, the strategies
you intend to use in getting clients as well as marketing
to prospective clients, your business goals, your target
segment, services you intend offering, and how your
services will be better than that of your competitors.
The segment also covers the vision statement for your
company, the goals and objectives you intend to
achieve, as well as your mission statement.
Other components that are vital in a business plan are
the publicity, promotion and advertising strategy,
operations cost and financial projections, the strength
and weaknesses of your business, as well as the
opportunities you present to customers, and how you
intend to source for capital and pay back if need be.
This might seem too much for a babysitting business,
but it is necessary especially when your intention is to
be professional, and perhaps become a known brand.

For those who do not want to be bugged down by the

task of writing a business plan, they could employ the
services of those skilled in the art, while supplying
them with information that can be used to create the
precise picture for investors; you could also decide to
download a template online that would guide you on
how to write the business plan.

Detailed Cost Analysis for Starting a

Babysitting Business

According to research, the business of babysitting can

be started with no funds. Also, those that go into the
business have varying operating costs depending on
the state or country they are operating from. However,
it still isnt a business that would require you breaking
the bank to start up as long as some essentials like
the legal consideration are in place to protect your
business.

Most new entrepreneurs might be wary of going into

this industry due to the fact that this might not be a
money making industry, but in this business you can
start off with any amount as you are comfortable with,
and still make as much as you should. You can start off
the business by babysitting for friends and family
members, save what you make and then register your
business, after you are sure that you are making the
right decision.

Below is the basic checklist that you would need to

launch your own babysitting business in the United
States of America and most likely in other parts of the
world;

The total fee for incorporation name check and

filing would cost $200
Liability insurance and business license would
cost $500
Business cards and other miscellaneous expenses
would cost $200
For those who would get an office probably due to
location, an office facility for at least 6 months
would cost $900
Launching of website would cost $100
Equipping the office with computer, phone, file
cabinet would cost $300
Other operating expenses would cost $100
The report from the above checklist shows that on a
small scale, one would need at least $2,300 to be able
to start.

If one intends starting a medium scale babysitting

business in the United States, one would need at least
$5,000

And if one intends to start on a large scale in the United

States, one would need at least $10,000. This goes to
show that it is an easy business venture to start up.
 Financing Your Babysitting Business

A service business isnt like a business where tangible

goods are sold for money, so obtaining financing might
not be so easy. Although a babysitting business
requires moderate start-up funds, compared to other
type of businesses, nevertheless approaching a lender
or an institution for a loan will require a business plan,
where your financial projections or statement are in
order.

Without a business plan, no serious investor would take

you seriously, and might feel you are wasting their
time. A business plan not only shows how serious you
are in having carrying out a feasibility report, it also
tells the investor how far the business might likely go.

Applying for a loan is a stressful business, and any

serious entrepreneur that knows that his or her
business is worth it, will have to go the extra mile in
looking for places to source for funds without
committing too much in terms of interests and
paybacks. Every entrepreneur has to realize that
finance cannot be avoided, and so must be prepared for
the task at hand.

When it comes to raising finance, every business

person is faced with different available options, the
decision on which to use for the benefit of the business
will come after weighing the pros and cons attached to
each option, and also depending on the business scale
you want to start from, small, medium or large. Below
are finance options for pet-sitting start ups:

Money can be raised from personal savings, as

well as sales of valuable property or even stock.
 Money can be raised from friends and families
Apply for a bank loan
The business ideas can be pitched to investors

Finding a Suitable Location for a

Babysitting Business

Before one decides on the location for a babysitting

business, different factors have to be put into
consideration. If you plan on opening an office for your
babysitting business, it has to be in a residential
location where there are several families with babies
and children.

Another factor is also to locate your business in a

residential area that can afford your rates. If you locate
your business in an area, where people live in trailers,
you would not only get people that may not patronize
your business but also those that might pay lower than
you charge, as they may not have the disposable
income that would be needed to acquire your services.

This means that not only must your business be located

in a residential area where families are, but in an area
where the residents are pre-disposed to having spare
money for your kind of service, so that you can make
good returns for your business.

If your home is far from where business will likely be

favorable for you, it is advisable you get an office
facility, even if it is a small one, so as to be close to
your clients, but if you live in an area where there are
enough families with kids, then it would be easier if you
run the business from home, so as to keep your
operating costs at a minimum.
Another reason why you might have to operate an
office is if you are running a medium or large scale
babysitting business, and are likely to employ people
that would work with you.

Starting a Babysitting Business

Technical & Manpower Details

There is little technicality required for the babysitting

business. Even though the babysitter requires no
equipment to work, he or she needs a degree of
technicality in case of what might occur during
babysitting, like the ability to handle computers etc.

For those intending to operate from an office facility on

whatever scale, here are some of the equipment that
would be needed:

Computer
Phones
Emergency first aid kit
Files
Contract documents
Due to the nature of this business, only one baby sitter
is allowed per family, and a baby sitter who works
alone can take in as much as he or she can handle and
therefore do not need extra manpower except the
business is one that is on a medium or large scale
requiring more employees to babysit for clients.

Most babysitters work in the homes of their clients, or

in locations approved of by the parents and so anyone
starting out would not need an office facility and can
work from home. A full medium or large scale office
could employ a receptionist/cashier, babysitters,
supervisor, and manager. This could be between 4 to 6
people and above. The office would need minimal and
functional equipment such as computers, phones.

The Production Process in Babysitting

Business
There is no production process involved in a babysitting
business as this is a service delivery business. The
process can range from learning and knowing about
different subjects, languages, or being versed in other
skills, and any other requirements that will be needed
while carrying babysitting.

The other processes range from babysitting to feeding

the kids, helping the kids with schoolwork, and so on.

Starting a Babysitting Business The

Marketing Plan
 Marketing ideas and strategies for a
babysitting business
Money is generated for a business through the
marketing of its products or services to customers, both
intending and existing. Marketing plays a central role in
all aspects of life, whether on business or in life
generally. If you want to be successful as a babysitter,
your ability to successfully market your brand is what
will decide if your business will stay alive for a long
period, or if it will die before it has even begun. Every
business person that is serious knows the power of
marketing.

An entrepreneur with a good business sense will get

started on the path of marketing success. However, it
takes more than having a good business sense to
achieve market visibility for your babysitting business;
it will require a certain mix of marketing ideas and
strategies. Companies that have grown and existed
over the years are ones that have constantly employed
a mix of strategies, and chosen that which favors their
company more.

Below are certain tips and strategies that you can

adopt to market your babysitting business:

Word of mouth referral, by letting friends and

family help spread the news about your
babysitting services.
Distributing flyers and posters in areas where
your target market is located.
Buying a classified ad in babysitting or services
section of your local newspaper.
 Ask those whom you have babysat for to
recommend you to other families, or people who
might be in need of your services.
Start a blog or website that is centered on baby
care, using it as a medium to enlighten parents,
which in the long run is likely to bring you more
clients because people would trust you.
Use the social media like Facebook, Twitter, and
Instagram to promote your babysitting business,
and also connect with clients.
Advertise on the mass media, like the radio,
television, relevant magazines, and/or newspaper.
Attend children events and shows, and try to
connect with parents there.

Factors That Will Help You Get the Right

Product Pricing for your Babysitting
Business

To get the right factors that will enable you set the right
service pricing for your babysitting business while not
burning a hole in the pockets of your client and eating
into your profits, you would have to ensure that you
operate at far less than you would earn. You can find
clients around your neighborhood especially if there are
enough residential homes there, this will ensure that
you are able to work from home, thereby reducing cost.

Possible Competitive Strategies for Winning

Your Competitors in the Babysitting
Industry
There is no field, business or industry without
competition, as competition ensures that businesses
are proactive in attending to customers needs and
wants, while also ensuring that the customer gets the
best deal offered. To stay above the competition, a
babysitter would have to give out certain services that
the competition does not necessarily offer, such as
helping a kid discover their talent.

Also, while your competition might offer services

targeted at different type of clients or market segment,
you could model your services to suit your clients
income, style and preferences therefore offering
different packages that would suit your clients pockets
while making them happy at the same time. This
means that your lowers income clients shouldnt be
charged as your higher income clients.

Another competitive strategy could be in offering extra

services, such as sending a reminder to clients as
regards important dates for their kids, like attending a
childs school play.

Possible Ways to Increase Customer

Retention for your Babysitting Business

Customers stick to the brand, company or business

they feel treat them better than others, and so any
serious minded entrepreneur knows that the way to
increase customer retention for a business is to ensure
that you treat them better than your competition, by
making sure that you either meet or surpass their
expectations.

You could also give out incentives for the kids or give
out the first day as a free day for new customers.
Strategies to Boost your Brand Awareness
and Create a Corporate identity for your
Babysitting Business

Strategies are of immense importance when trying to

boost your brand or create a corporate identity for your
babysitting business. The strategies that will be used
are similar to that of any business. If as an
entrepreneur, you decide to own a babysitting business
that will employ others, it is important that you choose
the right strategies for your business.

There are platforms that can be used to boost the

brand awareness of your babysitting business, as well
as create a corporate identity for it as well, they
include:

Join a babysitting/child care association so as to

network.
Encourage your clients to help with referrals
Distribute handbills and fliers to targeted areas
informing people of your services.
Advertise your business in a lifestyle, parents or
children magazine, local newspaper, radio, and
television.
Use the social media effectively by connecting
with other babysitters, as well as prospective
clients.

Finding a Suppliers/Distribution Network

If you are engaging in other services apart from

babysitting, especially if you might like to engage the
children in educational games, you might need
someone who would be supplying you with interactive
and educational games.

If you are in a good business relationship with your

supplier especially as regards what you need for your
business, it will help you engage the kids productively.
Vendors or distributors are particularly useful because
of other intrinsic values that will be gotten from them
such as trivia knowledge and other such related
knowledge.

Tips for Running a Babysitting Business

Successfully

Babysitters offer a critical service that involves the care

of a child that isnt theirs mostly in the homes of their
clients, and getting paid for it. A babysitting business
can be very lucrative and fulfilling for the right person
who truly loves children. Experience is not required for
one to be a babysitter, but certifications give
babysitters an edge over others.

In order to be successful as a babysitter, one must first

have the right personality by being friendly,
responsible, and with lots of patience. They also should
be approachable, and open to clients and the kids. A
babysitter should also be calm, especially in the face of
emergencies.
Apart from a good personality, a keen sense of business
is required plus a certain amount of assertiveness. Even
though most consider it a fun job, but as a business
person, you will also need to file the correct income tax
forms every year, deal with problematic clients who
might be slow in paying their bills, as well as track your
income and expenses.