Regular Babysitter for After-School Care

Build a set of regular weekly bookings, such as school pick-ups and tea, in families' homes.

Startup cost£200 to £600

Monthly revenue£600 to £2.5k

Time needed10+ h/week

First incomeWeeks

£200-600
Part-time
Out and about

Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.

Official data

10,722 UK companies in this field, 31% registered in the last 2 years

SIC 88910 “Child day-care activities”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.

What it is

Regular, scheduled childcare in the family's home, such as school pick-ups, tea, homework help and bedtime cover. You are more like a part-time sitter-nanny, with a set routine for each family. Whether you can or must register depends on the type of care and which UK nation you work in.

Your first three steps

Take a paediatric first aid course and check how to apply for a DBS check in your part of the UK
Check whether voluntary registration is available for care in the child's own home where you live (in England, Ofsted's voluntary Childcare Register; elsewhere, check with the relevant care regulator) and whether it suits you
Contact local parent groups and school communities, then agree a written weekly schedule and rate with your first family

Who pays

Working parents who need dependable cover on set days, including families with school-age children and parents on shifts.

How it makes money

An hourly rate agreed per family, with regular weekly hours giving steadier income than one-off evenings. Holiday cover can add extra bookings.

Skills that help

Reliable and organised
Confident with school-age children
Clear communication with parents
Basic cooking and homework support

Watch out for

Check the registration rules for your nation with the relevant regulator (for example Ofsted in England): care in the child's own home is often not required to register, but rules differ across the UK
Check how many families you can care for at the same time without registering; in England, caring for children from more than two families together, or caring for children in your own home, may count as childminding and need registration
Check whether registration lets families use government childcare support schemes, and the cost and requirements
Check public liability insurance and whether you need cover if you drive the children
If you hire anyone else, check employer's liability insurance and your legal duties
Check whether you need to register for Self Assessment with HMRC and keep clear income records
Cancellations can hit income, so agree a notice period with each family

🔒 Full research report for UK

Real cost breakdown with current prices, licences and registration checklist, local competition, pricing, break-even and a 30-day launch plan, with sources.

Coming soon

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to start regular babysitting?

Estimated startup costs are typically around £200 to £600, depending on things like insurance, checks, first aid training and basic supplies. Treat this as an estimate and check what each family expects from you.

How much can a regular after-school babysitter earn?

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £600 to £2,500, depending on how many families you work for, your weekly hours and your rates. Cancellations can hit income, so agree a notice period with each family.

Do I need to register to babysit regularly in the UK?

Check the registration rules for your nation with the relevant regulator, such as Ofsted in England. Also check how many families you can care for without registering, public liability insurance, and whether you need to register for Self Assessment with HMRC.