Evening and weekend babysitter

Parents in your neighbourhood, including working families, couples wanting a night out and parents with shift work.

An hourly rate, often higher for several children, late finishes or holidays. Repeat families who book you regularly give steady income.

• Patient and good with children
• Reliable and trustworthy
• Calm in an emergency
• Clear communication with parents

• Families will often ask for references and a police record check, and a vulnerable sector check where available. Check how to get one where you live
• Check whether commercial general liability insurance makes sense for you, as home insurance usually won't cover it
• Report your income to the CRA. Check whether you need to register for GST/HST if revenue grows large
• Agree rules with parents in advance, such as emergency contacts, allergies, screen time and who may visit the home
• Check your province's rules, including Quebec's. They differ for childcare you provide in your own home, so stay in the child's home

Estimates suggest startup costs typically sit around $50 to $400, depending on things like record checks, insurance and basic supplies. Costs stay low because you work in the family's own home.

Estimates typically put monthly revenue at around $200 to $1,200, depending on how many families book you and how many hours you work. The idea assumes at least about 4 hours a week.

Families often ask for references and a police record check, including a vulnerable sector check where available, so check how to get one locally. Also check insurance, income reporting to the CRA, and your province's childcare rules, including Quebec's.