Thursday, June 17, 2010

How to Use Babysitting Safety Basics

Using basic babysitting safety practices will ensure the kids will remain safe under your supervision. Showing parents that you know and use babysitting safety skills will earn their trust and more babysitting jobs. Keep these ideas in mind during any babysitting job.

•Step 1
Sign up for a babysitting class. Babysitting classes will give you the first aid knowledge and other babysitting safety skills you need to feel comfortable should an emergency arise. Parents will feel more comfortable with you watching their children. Also consider CPR training.

•Step 2
Make sure you have contact information for the parents and relatives in the area. You don't want to find yourself amidst an emergency with no contact numbers. Also make sure you have information on the child's doctor, preferred hospital, etc.

•Step 3
Find out if the children have any medical conditions or behaviors that you should be aware of. Being prepared will enable you to better handle a situation should it arise.

•Step 4
Assess the environment and identify any potential hazards such as pools, fireplaces, or sharp corners. Keep the kids away from these areas or keep a close eye on them around these dangers. Identifying dangers and preventing accidents is an important part of babysitting safety.

•Step 5
Give the kids your full attention. Making phone calls, texting friends, or watch TV are all big distractions. Kids can easily slip out of the room in a matter of seconds and get into dangerous situations.

•Step 6
Establish rules and guidelines with the kids. Let them know that they should follow the rules and listen to you as they would their parents. Establishing these expectations is an important part of babysitting safety.

How to Make a Babysitter Flyer

Starting your own babysitting business can be a profitable way for you to spend your free time while in school or on summer vacation. Whether you just want some pocket money or are saving up for something special, babysitting is a job you can do with some skills and common sense. Once you have taken some babysitting courses, it's time to promote your services. Create a babysitting flier that will get you noticed.

•Step 1
Open your word-processing program to a flier or blank page. Using the computer to make your flier allows you to show off your skills in a neat and attractive way. You'll show that you care enough to put in some effort and your flier will have a more professional appeal.

•Step 2
Start with a big headline. You want your babysitting flier to shine, so be creative with the headline. Use a font that will jump off the board at the local grocery store or coffee shop cork board.

•Step 3
Include your experience. You want to show parents that they can be confident in your skills so they can have that date night without worrying. Talk about how many years you have been babysitting and what age groups you are most comfortable with.

•Step 4
Note your accomplishments and qualifications. Completion of a babysitting course or infant/toddler CPR course makes you a preferable babysitter over the others, so be sure to brag on your accomplishments. If you have the certification, mention it in your flier.

•Step 5
Talk about price per hour. If you have a flat fee, mention it in your flier. You may charge $25 an hour no matter how many kids they have, or perhaps you charge $10 an hour per child. Either way, give parents an idea of what you charge so they can make an informed decision.

•Step 6
Mention referrals. Let parents know that you can provide a referral for your services from satisfied customers. This will make parents much more comfortable in hiring you and letting you into their home.

•Step 7
Leave your number. Create a tear strip for your name and phone number, or simply list the number so parents can put it into their cell phones right then and there. This is vital in making the contact, so don't forget this very important piece of information.

•Step 8
List any geographical issues; do you want to babysit just in your area or are you willing to go a little farther? If you have transportation issues or don't want to go too far from home, list which neighborhoods you are willing to sit in.

•Step 9
Add some graphics or photos. Place a photo of yourself or just some fun and colorful graphics on your flier to make it stand out on the announcement board or "pop" out of the mailbox. Add some color. Make some of your important information stand out by changing the font color to a bright red or blue. This again makes your flier stand out and attracts parents to the important details.

The Easy Way to Find Babysitting Jobs

Are you someone who knows that they are meant to be a babysitter (during high school at least)? If you need a little extra money and love working with kids, then babysitting is a great job for you. It is many people's first paying job (your allowance for doing your weekly chores does not count) so you are in good company if this year is the first year you are going to start sitting. In all likelihood, the parents for whom you will sit probably were babysitters themselves when they were teenagers so they know how you feel.

In order to prepare yourself for the world of babysitting, you need to read a few books on babysitting and take a babysitting course. These courses are reasonably priced and teach you the skills necessary to be a great babysitter. You will learn the different stages of child development, fun babysitting games, and what to do in an emergency. When parents see that you have taken this class, they will be much more willing to hire you. You will have demonstrated to them that you are a mature individual who has strived to educate herself on the important aspects of childcare. They will be incredibly impressed and much more willing to hire you!

Once you have the necessary skills, you will need to start looking for babysitting jobs. In order to advertise your availability to baby-sit, you need a campaign! This task is nowhere near the scale of someone running for office, but you just need to be able to inform parents who you are and when you are available to baby-sit.

Put together a flier with your name, contact number, skills, and availability. Give one to each of the families in your neighborhood and visit your elementary school. Let you old teachers know about your interest in babysitting and they can recommend you to the parents of their students. Another place to advertise yourself as a babysitter is online. Several websites are in place that allow you to post a profile that is available for parents in your area to view. You can also find parents near-by on these sites and contact them about their sitter needs.

As long as you act mature and responsible, parents will love you. Plan some fun activities and you will also be a huge hit with the kids. Good luck!


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How to Get Babysitting Jobs In My Area

Are you a babysitter who's wondering, "How can I find babysitting jobs in my area?" It can be a challenging to get yourself established as a trustworthy and reliable babysitter. But it's not too difficult, if you know the right steps to follow. Read on for how to land your first babysitting job.


•Step 1
The easiest way to get your first babysitter job is to take a baby sitting course. Not only will it prepare you for the first time you care for children, it will also make potential clients more confident and comfortable with you. You can often sign up at your local library or YMCA. If not, look online for internet training.

•Step 2
You'll be even more likely to get babysitting work if you learn CPR or First Aid through the Red Cross. Parents find these qualifications invaluable.

•Step 3
Before you try getting babysitter work with strangers, get some experience under your belt by watching young family members. Looking after younger siblings or cousins counts! Many times relatives will leave their children with a younger babysitter, if they know they can trust you. Ask your relatives to refer you (and put in a good word) to their friends, neighbors, and co-workers.

•Step 4
If you have friends, who watch the same children regularly, ask if you can go along on their next babysitting job so you can gain some valuable experience. Always, be sure to check with the clients before you just show up with you friend. You can also ask your friends to refer you if they can't take a babysitting job.

•Step 5
If you're still having trouble landing your first babysitting job there's no shame in posting flyers. Make posters that have removable tabs at the bottom, so people can rip one off and call you. Tack up your babysitter listing in womens' locker rooms, daycares, church nurseries and cry rooms, and the grocery store. Always, be sure to ask the business if you can advertise on their property.

•Step 6
You can also look through, and answer, online babysitting listings. Websites like babysittingjobs.com and phoneababysitter.com are a good place to start to find babysitting jobs in your area! Both sites connect babysitters with people who are looking for someone to watch their children.

•Step 7
Don't forget to look on community message boards and craigslist. Parents, who have never hired a babysitter before and don't have family nearby, may post ads here looking for a baby sitter. If you answer the babysitting listings honestly you'll have a few jobs lined up in no time! Just be ready to go for an interview and provide references (teachers, youth counselors, coaches, girl scout leader). Any responsible parent wouldn't hire a babysitter over the phone or without a lot of questioning.

How to Get Your First Babysitting Job

Landing your first babysitting job can be somewhat of a challenge. Some parents are reluctant to hire an inexperienced or young sitter. But if you follow a few basic steps, will be ready to become a babysitter in no time at all.


•Step 1
Take a certification class. Every babysitter should have some babysitting training under his or her belt. This will show that you are serious about being the best babysitter possible. Most babysitting courses offer interviewing tips and also include first aid training, The American Red Cross offers a complete Babysitter's Training Course. To enroll, check out the American Red Cross website at www.redcross.org or call your local Red Cross chapter. Many YMCA's also offer babysitting courses-contact your local YMCA for more information. Finally, find out if your school offers a babysitting course-you may be able to complete the course and also receive school credit for it.

•Step 2
Establish some references. As with any job, it's good to have some references if you are trying to land a babysitting job. Obtain a letter of reference from a favorite schoolteacher, guidance counselor or family friend. If you have younger cousins or family friends, offer to babysit for them for free a few times to get some experience. Ask if you can give their telephone number to prospective babysitting clients, so that the clients may call them as references for you.

•Step 3
Offer to have your parent or an older sibling sit with you the first few times. If you're a young sitter--or just a little nervous--have someone babysit with you the first few times. This will also give your clients peace of mind, as they will know that a responsible older person is with you as you gain your own experience. After a few times sitting with a partner, you should be confident to babysit on your own.

•Step 4
Advertise. Advertising is the key to nabbing the best babysitting jobs. Put flyers up at local businesses. Get the word out to the friends of your parents. Make a flyer and put it in mailboxes in your neighborhood. Be sure to list your hours of availability and a telephone number where you can be reached. Always call back prospective clients even if you can't take the job--you don't want to burn any bridges! And remember, once you become an established babysitter, you will be able to secure regular babysitting jobs with no problem.

How to Get Babysitting Jobs

Babysitting jobs are perfect for someone looking for a flexible, fun working environment. Whether you are looking for your very first babysitting job, or you are a veteran at the trade, here's how to drum up more babysitting jobs.


•Step 1
Ask for referrals from the people who you already babysit for. Many babysitting jobs stem from one parent referring another to your babysitting services. Do a good job and you may find that babysitting jobs find you, instead of the other way around.

•Step 2
Look for babysitting jobs online. There are many parents listing babysitting jobs online at various websites meant for just that. You can usually even see the location and pay of the job before you even contact the parent.

•Step 3
Make a babysitting business card and resume. Market yourself and you will find more babysitting business. It doesn't have to be fancy; just a simple business card that people can refer to when they need your contact information.

•Step 4
Put up information about your services on school boards, in preschools, and in your local classified section of the newspaper.

•Step 5
Network. Ask friends and family if they know anyone who needs a babysitter or caregiver for their children.

How to Get and Keep a Babysitting Job

Step 1
Get your name out. Tell everyone you know that you are available to take a babysitting job. Word of mouth is one of the best ways to get a babysitting job. Most parents rely on referrals. You can also post a flier on a community bulletin board or post on Craigslist.

Step 2
Take a babysitting class. You will be more qualified to handle situations that may arise during a babysitting job. Babysitting classes also make you look more reputable to parents. Their main concern is the safety of their children. If you have first aid skills and know how to handle children, your chances of landing a babysitting job are much higher.

Step 3
Prepare a list of references. If a parent hasn't heard about you from a friend or relative, a list of references may put her mind at ease.

Step 4
Prepare a bag of activities to take once you get a babysitting job. Bringing your own activities for the kids will ensure that they won't be bored. You won't be stuck trying to entertain them the entire evening.

Step 5
Once you land a babysitting job, communicate well with the parents. Ask questions about procedures and any special instructions. Show a sincere interest in their children. The quality of babysitting you offer is the biggest factor in getting a repeat babysitting job.

Step 6
Charge a fair price for your babysitting services. Staying competitive in your pricing ensures that you will get a babysitting job and make money. If you charge too much, you may have difficulty finding a babysitting job.

Step 7
Ask for referrals. If you prove your skills as a babysitter, your clients will be happy to share your contact information with other parents. This may result in you finding a new babysitting job.

Step 8
Act professionally. If you take the job seriously, parents will likely ask you to babysit for them again. A one-time babysitting job may turn into a long term relationship if you show professionalism.

Step 9
Make yourself available. Let the parents know when you are available and that you are interested in babysitting for them again in the future.