To think about becoming a 'mature' babysitter

[Twolittleloves]

As my children are past babyhood now, and extra money would always be handy,
I was wondering about offering my services as a babysitter locally- mainly evenings but possibly daytime weekend care sometimes too if required.
However I'm not sure if this is really a thing at my age?! (I'm 36) other than through Sitters etc (can't go that route as I don't have recent enough childcare experience)

I have 7 years of parenting experience, a child development degree, and many years of childcare experience/working with children and families- a job I still do.

I would be interested to hear perspectives/opinions especially from anyone who may have done something similar, or maybe self employed Nannies.

I did lots of babysitting from the ages of about 15-25, but was thinking now I'm older whether I would need to approach it in a more professional way.....contracts/insurance etc?

I'd much prefer someone like you but unfortunately it's down to cost. I imagine you would charge more..

I guess I would be thinking about £10/hour, which I feel is reasonable and still worth doing....maybe abit more after midnight.We pay our babysitter that and she is 18 with no childcare experience.

I'm nearly 50 and have been doing childcare for many decades. So age I don't think is an issue,

I recently started caring for newborn twins, overnight. The parents found me via Childcare.co.uk and I expect they met with few people, but choose me. Maybe age, experience, was a factor in my favour.
Age is a number... experience is your past.
If you look at your past, can you draw on the experience to convince parents that you know what you are doing, not phased by a baby who isn't sleeping or a toddler who knows parents are going and thinks they are not coming back.

Cost will be an issue to some and not others.

I’d go for it. My 17yr old was on £10 an hour babysitting to sit in a nice house with one asleep toddler…there’s worse ways to spend an evening!

Get on care.com...I am 50 + and still get jobs from there. Join for free then you get more jobs. Free members can message other free members. The paying membership means free people can't message you.

I work with children and we have older staff who childmind/babysit for extra money. They are very popular with parents and even though they may charge more, they often have longer term relationships than younger people.

Good luck with it 🌺