Neighborhood babysitter
Look after children in their own homes for local families, in the evenings and at weekends.
- $30-300
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in the US, not guarantees.
Official data
82,162 US businesses with employees in this field, +2.5% in a year
NAICS 624410 “Child day care services”. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023.
What it is
Caring for children in the family's own home while parents are out or working: meals, play, homework help and bedtime routines.
Your first three steps
- Take an infant and child CPR and first aid course and check local babysitting rates in your zip code
- Write a simple one-page profile with your experience, rates and references, and share it with neighbors and local parent groups
- Offer a short meet-and-greet with each new family and ask happy parents to recommend you
Who pays
Parents and guardians nearby, including working families, single parents and couples wanting a night out.
How it makes money
Hourly rate, often higher for several children, late nights, holidays or infants. Regular weekly families give steady income.
Skills that help
- Patient and good with children
- Reliable and trustworthy
- Basic first aid and CPR
- Clear communication with parents
Watch out for
- Check whether your state or county has any rules for caring for children in their home, and when a childcare license applies
- Consider general liability insurance and ask whether the family's homeowners policy covers you
- Agree rules in advance: emergency contacts, allergies, screen time and who may visit
- Check IRS rules on reporting income, and on household employee rules if a family pays you regularly
- Background checks may be requested by families, so be ready to provide references
Deep research report · US
Everything you need to start: neighborhood babysitter
Researched with live web search for United States: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a babysitting business?
Startup costs are typically estimated at around $30 to $300, depending on whether you add items such as first aid and CPR training, insurance or activity supplies for the children.
How much can a neighborhood babysitter make?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $200 to $1,500, depending on how many families you sit for and how many hours you work. Plan for at least about 4 hours a week, mostly evenings and weekends.
What rules should I check before babysitting for local families?
Check whether your state or county has rules for caring for children in their home, and when a childcare license applies. Also check IRS rules on reporting income, consider liability insurance, and be ready to provide references for background checks.
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