Evening and weekend babysitter

Parents and carers in your area, often couples wanting a night out, shift workers and families with no relatives nearby.

An hourly rate, often higher for late finishes, several children or bank holidays. Income grows as regular families rebook you.

• Patient and good with children
• Reliable and punctual
• Calm in a minor emergency
• Trusted to be alone in someone's home

• Rules differ across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, so check whether you need to register to care for children in their home
• Never look after children in your own home without checking childminding registration rules first
• A DBS check is not legally required for every sitter, but many parents expect one. Check how to get one
• Check whether public liability insurance suits your situation
• Keep records of income and check whether you need to register for Self Assessment with HMRC

Startup costs are estimates, typically around £50 to £300, depending on extras such as a DBS check and insurance. Your own figure will vary with what you decide you need, so list your costs before you begin.

Monthly revenue is an estimate, typically around £200 to £1,200, depending on how many evenings and weekends you work and how many families book you. You could start from around 4 hours a week.

Rules differ across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, so check whether you need to register to care for children in their home. A DBS check is not legally required for every sitter, but many parents expect one. Check childminding rules before ever looking after children in your own home.