Babysitting: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What babysitting is

Babysitting is when a sitter watches children in your home or theirs, handling meals, play, bedtime routines and safety according to the family's rules. People hire sitters for date nights, work or errands.

Signs you need it

  • You need an evening out
  • You work irregular hours
  • You need someone for school breaks
  • You want a regular sitter for a weekly commitment
  • You need help with several children at once

What the pro does

  • A meet and greet with the family and children
  • Family shares rules, allergies and contacts
  • Sitter handles meals, play, homework and bedtime
  • Sitter keeps a log or sends updates
  • Handoff at the end of the night

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Number and ages of children
  • Hours and time of day
  • Special needs
  • Transportation
  • Experience and training
  • Holidays or last-minute

What a written quote should spell out

  • Hours, days and expected arrival
  • Tasks included, such as meals or homework
  • Cancellation and late pickup terms
  • Emergency contacts and house rules
  • Transportation rules

Questions to ask before you hire

  • What experience do you have with my children's ages?
  • Are you trained in first aid or CPR?
  • Can I contact references?
  • How do you handle bedtime?
  • What would you do in an emergency?
  • Do you use your phone while working?

Red flags

  • Cannot give references
  • Dismisses your house rules
  • Late or no-show without notice
  • Brings guests
  • Uses a phone constantly while watching kids

What you can do yourself

Parents can leave a list of contacts, allergies and rules and do a short trial. For medical or safety concerns, call emergency services or your child's doctor.

Licenses and permits

Babysitting is not usually licensed for occasional or in-home work, but check with your state or local agency about child care rules if the sitter cares for children from several families. Ask for references and training, and consider a background check.

Babysitting questions

How do I pick a sitter?

Meet first, check references and set rules.

Should I pay for a trial?

Many families pay for a short evening while they are home so the children can meet the sitter. Agree on this before booking.

What if my child has allergies?

Write instructions down and tell the sitter.

Can the sitter drive my children?

Only if you agree and insurance covers it.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

Edit history

How it works

  1. 1. Describe the job

    Pick the service, add your ZIP and a sentence about what is going on.

  2. 2. Pick the pros you want

    See screened pros who serve your ZIP and choose who you want to hear from.

  3. 3. They reach out

    They contact you the way you chose: phone, email or in-app messages.

More health and wellness guides

Find a pro near you

Find a pro

About this guide

Request babysitting