The year is 2019, and your neighbor’s children don’t play outside anymore. Front lawns in your neighborhood stand empty. You haven’t witnessed a kid learning to ride a bike in years. Do you even know your next-door neighbor’s name? Without personal connections to a family with young kids, it can be hard to get your foot in the door in the babysitting game. So here you are, in need of extra cash and a way to use the coloring books you bought when they were in vogue three years ago, wondering…”How am I supposed to find babysitting jobs near me?”
There are a million ways to find your next babysitting gig! Here are a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing.
Work Your Network
Never doubt that you have a network. Even people who live in their basement and venture out once a year for snacks have a network. Here are a few ways to work it:
- Are you a student? Talk to your teachers, advisors, and coaches! Strike up a conversation with adults with whom you have a rapport and ask them if they know anyone in need of babysitting services. Chances are anyone you talk to knows at least one working parent who needs a break – and as a bonus, you have a built-in recommendation from your connection!
- Are you a member of a sports team? This is a great opportunity to network for a babysitting job because you’re constantly in contact with parents and coaches who know firsthand that you’re reliable and hardworking. Competitions and practices are also built-in gathering spots. Offer your babysitting services during a competition, swim meet, or tryout that you’re not participating in and wow parents with your childcare skills.
- Do you live near a recreation center or a house of worship? This is another perfect opportunity to offer to babysit a group of kids during an event and make more connections for future babysitting gigs.
Build An Online Presence
The suggestions above work wonders for outgoing babysitters with a busy social calendar. But are you that person who ventures out once a year for snacks? If so, your best option is to harness the power of the internet.
- Create an online profile. Care.com is probably one of the best-known and most reliable websites to use. It helps if you have solid experience to list on your profile, such as prior childcare experience and first aid training.
- Create a social media page! This is a great way to use social media to make yourself easily accessible. You can also post on Facebook or Nextdoor saying “I’m a local resident looking for babysitting jobs near me! I’ve got lots of experience, great references, and am particularly good with [age group]. Contact me if you would like to meet me in person to talk!” Please make sure that any personal profiles you have on these platforms are rated very, very PG.
- Lastly – stay off of Craigslist. Do you really want to enter the home of a person who looks for their child’s babysitter on Craigslist?
Get talking, get creative, and go forth to your next babysitting gig!