Setting Up A Baby Sitting Service

[Lbet]

I am a self employed cleaner, I work alone and have several regular customers.
My two adult children have now grown up with the oldest just finishing uni and the youngest just started uni.

I only work part time hours to suit myself.
I am now finding that I have a lot more time on my hands.
I have been helping a customer over the last 6 weeks doing the school run for her 4 year old daughter whilst her mum is recovering from a knee op.

I have found I have quite enjoyed this role more so than the cleaning as that can be heavy work for a 58 year old at times.
I am thinking of adding in a baby sitting service to my role. I think this could be good for parents who need weekend babysitting or in the week for things like when they have events to go to or parents evening at school etc.
I know lots of young parents who I could ask to promote my service to their friends and family.
I would only babysit for parents that I have know or have had me recommended.

What do you guys think?

I would of course get a DBS done.

I would absolutely jump at this if you were local to me! Including paying more once DS is asleep if some ironing got done. The few ad-hoc teens I use are either a) too young, and so I pay to entertain DS for a few hours if I’m in a pinch and WFH so I’m around, or b) are ridiculously flaky (understandable! They’re teens! But if I pay for an event/agree to a night out I need to know my sitter will actually show up 😂)

Yes I can imagine there is quite a big call for mature babysitters hence why I am thinking about offering that service. It’s just like dog walking, that has become big now so maybe it could be the same for babysitters.

You are known to your customers at your cleaner-rate. What would you charge for babysitting?

Not sure about that but I wouldn’t charge as much as as I do for cleaning as I know a nigjt out can cost enough without hefty babysitting costs.

Please read the actual guidance I've linked. It clearly says nannies dont need to register which is why you, as a nanny, dont need to register.

It doesn't matter if the OP is babysitting at the parents' home or her own home, if she meets the other criteria she must register.

Have now checked and there are no legal requirements for babysitters.

As set out in the guidance, you don't need to register as a childminder to babysit between 6pm and 2am.

However in your original post you mentioned doing the school run for a 4 year old. I presume that was before 6pm. If you were offering that to children under 8, it was more than 2hrs a day and you were paid you would have to be registered. Just be clear what the guidance is and make sure youre abiding by it.

My friend asks her cleaner to babysit a few times a month, she obviously trusts her as she keys to the house etc, she's an older lady who has brought her own children up etc.
I think the lady cleans / babysits for about 3 families and makes enough to meet her monthly needs, so it must work if you get it right! Good luck with it.

The school run was a one off favour, school runs are not something I am interested in doing so that won’t apply to me.

No, she really doesn’t have to. She’s not trying to become a childminder. She is looking after children in a private setting- ie her client’s homes. This is the difference. It’s nothing to do with childminding as a childcare sector.

Re reading the guidelines as long as I am babysitting between 6pm -2am then no I don’t have to register. That suits me absolutely fine because that will fit around my cleaning jobs.

There's only so many times I can say 'read the guidance' so this is my last shot.

But it literally says (if you meet the requirements to register as a childminder) then:
"You must register with Ofsted or a childminder agency to look after children in your own home or someone else’s home."

Obviously, as I've already said, then if she's only babysitting between 6pm and 2am then she doesn't need to register at all.

I’ve read it, and I don’t see any relevance to what the OP is proposing.

Thank you all so much for your replies.

I have decided it is a service I am going to offer as I think there will be a great call for such a service from a mature babysitter.

Sounds great. Get a DBS and do a paediatric first aid course. Make sure you have insurance also to keep yourself right. In Northern Ireland you do not need to be registered to work in other people’s homes but you do if you work from your own home. Not sure of the laws in the rest of the UK.

When did they use vile language?

Did you also see someone else started a thread asking for help to decorate her house for Christmas.

There are maybe other seasonal things your current cleaning clients might like that you could also do if you wish to expand?

Good luck with your new venture - sounds like a few great ideas !

Thank you that’s really nice.