How To Get Started With A Babysitting Side Hustle
If you’re looking for a side hustle, you’re not the only one. Almost 40% of Brits have a side hustle in 2025, meaning that competition for the most profitable side hustles is fierce.
An alternative to joining the thousands of people trying to make extra money in a work from home side hustle is to return to some of the old standbys.
Local, in-person side hustles aren’t quite as popular, or as convenient, as those that can be done online - but that can mean there’s less competition, and that it’s easier to get going.
If you like children, or if you have your own children, babysitting has a lot of merits. It can be fun and relatively low effort, and in most cases you don’t need any qualifications to find work as a babysitter.
If you’re considering babysitting as a side hustle, you’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll cover all you need to know, from how to get started to how much you can earn from babysitting, and we’ll throw in some handy tips and tricks to maximise your chances of success.
Is Babysitting As A Side Hustle Worth It?
A lot of us consider babysitting to be a job for teenage girls - and it can be hard to imagine that it’s worthwhile for fully grown adults, who are looking for more from a job than sufficient cash to go to the cinema at the weekend.
But babysitting is a job that requires trust and responsibility, and many parents are far more comfortable with an adult in charge of their kids than a potentially flaky teenager.
And when it comes to very young children, it’s often the case that someone with experience of looking after babies or toddlers is necessary.
It’s therefore definitely worth considering a babysitting side hustle as an adult, especially if you have children of your own or if you have a childcare qualification.
Rates for babysitters, while not brilliant, can be quite reasonable - and the bonus is that you may well be able to get on with other tasks at the same time.
So just because we associate babysitting with teens, there’s no reason not to consider it as an adult. If you’re good with kids, and not horror-struck at the idea of spending lots of time with them, babysitting as a side hustle can absolutely be worth it.
How Old Do You Have To Be To Babysit?
Technically, there isn’t a legal minimum age for babysitting.
However, there is a minimum legal age for child employment - for the most part, you need to be over the age of 14 to take on paid work.
The NSPCC also recommends that babysitters be at least 16, as below this age a babysitter cannot be legally responsible for the safety of the children in their care.
In practice, if you’re planning on babysitting as a side hustle, it’s probably best to be 18 or over. Parents are likely to have more trust in you as an adult, and you’re less likely to be taken advantage of.
Do You Need Any Qualifications For Babysitting?
No, you don’t need any qualifications at all to work as a babysitter.
However, that’s not to say that qualifications wouldn’t be helpful. Having a childcare qualification is likely to be hugely confidence-inspiring to potential clients, so if you happen to be qualified in childcare you’re off to a great start.
It’s probably too time-consuming and costly to get a childcare qualification for no other reason than a babysitting side hustle, but one thing you might consider is a first aid qualification.
Organisations such as the Red Cross offer dedicated baby and child first aid courses, which cost less than £40 and only take an afternoon to complete.
For relatively minimal time and expense, you can gain a first aid certificate, which will not only give parents confidence in you to look after their children, but will allow you to feel capable of taking any minor emergencies that might occur while a child is in your care.
You should also be aware that, if you meet certain characteristics, you’ll need to register as a childminder. The government advises the following:
‘You must register as a childminder if all of the following apply:
- the children are under the age of 8
- you look after them for more than 2 hours a day
- you look after them in your own home
- you get paid to look after them - including payment in kind’
But there are also the following exceptions:
‘You do not need to register if you’re:
- a nanny
- a tutor
- a babysitter and if you look after the children between 6pm and 2am
- a family friend and if you look after the children less than 3 hours a day’
Source: GOV.UK advice on becoming a childminder or nanny
It’s relatively unlikely that you’ll need to register, given the fairly restricted circumstances in which that’s necessary for babysitters.
Keep this requirement in mind if you plan to look after children in your own home, however, as there can be a fine for failing to register if you do meet the characteristics described.
How To Get Started As A Babysitter
1. Start with your own circle. Unless you’re especially anti-social, there’s a good chance someone in your circle of acquaintance - or at least a friend of a friend - has kids, and might need childcare.
If you let it be known that you’re planning to start offering your services as a babysitter, you’re quite likely to find that your first customers are existing friends, family or neighbours, which should make for a gentle introduction to your new side hustle.
2, Decide on your rates. Typically, babysitting doesn’t offer amazing pay - usually around minimum wage, or just above. Unless you have something extra to offer, it’s wise not to deviate too much from this rate, to avoid putting clients off.
3. Consider local advertising. To find more clients, consider local advertising. You can post on local social media groups, such as on facebook, but physical ads may work too. Public locations like supermarkets and community centres often have dedicated boards for posting services on offer. You may also spot ads from people in need of babysitters through this route.
4. Consider third party agencies. Another source of clients can be third party agencies that connect you with clients in your area. Although you do have to pay commission to these agencies, they take care of many of the logistics and often offer dispute resolution services, which can be extremely useful.
5. Start work! Hopefully, one or more of these methods of finding clients has borne fruit, and you’re able to start making some money from your new side hustle.
Tips And Tricks For Successful Babysitting
- Enforce a consistent schedule. It’s tempting to be the ‘fun babysitter’, but your life will be much easier if you stick to the normal schedule and their parents’ rules. Make sure that things like snacks and bedtime are regular and unchangeable, and you’ll have far less trouble with your charges.
- Don’t let the kids take advantage of you. Similarly, you need to make it clear from the start that you’ll be firm. That doesn’t mean you can’t have any fun at all, but you definitely don’t want them running rings around you.
- Check details with the parents in advance. Don’t wait until after the adults have left to find out when bedtime is, or whether they’re allowed a bag of crisps after dinner. Make sure you find out everything you need to know from their parents before you’re left alone with the kids.
- Consider a childcare qualification. If you’re qualified in childcare, you’re likely to be able to charge more for your services, and your customers will have more confidence in you. This does take some time to complete, though, so is best done only if you’re considering a career in childcare.
- Get a first aid qualification. This is easier to do than getting a full blown childcare qualification, and it can come in very useful. It inspires confidence in your customers, and means you’re equipped to handle any minor injury or illness.
- Offer short trials. Parents are often anxious creatures, so you could offer short trial babysitting sessions where you get to know the kids to soothe their nerves.
Pros And Cons Of Babysitting As A Side Hustle
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| There’ll always be a need for babysitters, so you probably won’t struggle to find work | You may need a childcare qualification, depending on the type of care you’re offering |
| Depending on the age of the children, you may be able to spend your working time on other things as well | Some children can be very difficult and demanding |
| Many families will let you raid their fridge and watch their TV | You take on full responsibility for the children’s safety |
| If you have kids of your own, you can bring other people’s kids to your place and watch them together | Pay is typically mediocre, and some parents will try to offer ridiculously low sums |
| Negligible start up cost | You can’t usually work from home |
Other Ways To Make Money Online
If you like the sound of starting your own side hustle, but looking after other people’s children for mediocre pay doesn’t exactly appeal, there are plenty of other options you could look at.
For active side hustles, you could try gardening, dog walking, or house cleaning. Or, if you’d like to be able to work from home, you could try freelance writing, or selling handmade crafts.
Another alternative that can be done from home is Matched Betting, one of the best side hustles you can take up. You don’t need any existing skills, or any experience of sports betting, and it’s a great way to potentially make £300-£1000 a month!