Babysitter Job Description Sample

Babysitter are responsible for taking care of one or more kids, usually during the absence of their parents. They offer comprehensive care for children in the employer’s residence and cover all types of tasks commonly associated with childcare. They are responsible of creating an environment that fosters safe and secure child care. 

What are the educational and entry requirements for Babysitter?

Employers usually prefer hiring candidates who are high school graduates and have some further training in child care and development, such as a formal nanny training programs, early childhood classes etc. Other requirements include proven experience in child care, references, First Aid and safety certifications, safe driving record, among others. 

What are the requirements for becoming a Babysitter? 

• A decent level of knowledge in English speaking and writing
• Having a valid driver’s license
• Reasonable experience in child care
• Should be cognizant of personal hygiene
• Ability to work independently with minimum supervision            
• Ability to entertain the children with creative activities and keep them in high spirts
• Should have adequate experience taking care of newborns
• Ability to keep track of child’s activities
• Patience (to take care of the kids with engaging in inappropriate behavior like scolding)
• Should be smart and educated enough to help the kids with their homework
• Should have ability to handle emergency situations calmly 

What are the primary responsibilities of a Babysitter? 

• Plan and prepare meals for the kids as ordered by the parents
• Carryout shopping activities according to orders made by the employer
• Bathe, dress the kids up and maintain hygiene of their clothes
• Organize games and extracurricular activities for the kids
• Escort the children to and from their school
• Maintain discipline using ways approved by the employer
• Supervise activities of the kids during their leisure time
• Ensure clean and hygienic environment for the children to play around
• Supervise other workers in the absence of the employer
• Answer phone calls from parents

What salary can one expect to make as a babysitter? 

According to PayScale.com, the average salary of babysitter is approximately $10.14 per hour. And the total pay lies in the range of $15,454 to $33,375. 

What are the pros and cons of working as a babysitter? 

Pros: 

• You can expect an attractive salary (a great way to make a lot of money by setting aside a few hours for work)
• You get a lot of free time even during work hours (especially when the kid goes to sleep)
• The work environment is usually pleasant. (It is indeed enjoyable to have kids for company during work hours) 
• High job satisfaction (who doesn’t like having cute kids for company while on the job?)

Cons: 

• You may not like your boss (some parents may annoy you with their overbearing attitude)
• Unreliable nature of the job (parents may change plans on a whim)
• Fatigue (sometimes those crazy kids are tough to control)
• Some level of dirty work is involved (giving potty training and changing nappies are examples)

What are the working hours and career path like? 

Babysitters usually work part time and enjoy flexible work hours in their own home or at the residence of the employer. Normally, these workers spend just a few hours every day to watch over children at their parent’s home. The work may also involve offering care for pre-kindergarten kids in the absence of their parents. After gaining some experience, Babysitters can move on to roles like Nanny and Registered Nurse and receive bigger paychecks.