Looking for a babysitter in calgary?

Question

Hi I'm Adrianna I am getting license in the fall so I am looking for clients. I am 11 just so you know and a lot of people say I am very good with kids. I have helped with an adult. If you have babies then I am wondering if it would be okay if my mom came along. DO NOT TRICK ME!!! My mom will drop me off so I will know if you are tricking. Please tell me your name and number and details who your kids are and stuff. Over the phone you can interview me if I am the right babysitter for your kids! Thanks and hope I can find clients.

Answer 1

Adrianna: I know it's hard to find a job at your age and I can respect your enthusiasm but please for your own safely do not advertise on the internet. I'm sure you've heard enough horror stories about kids getting in bad situations because they gave out too much information online.

I would like to suggest an alternative way to advertise for a babysitting job. Your community centre likely offers a babysitting course and keeps a list for prospective parents to hire one.

Making up flyers and distributing them in your OWN neighbourhood would likely be the safest way. You would be close to home and you probably know who lives in your neighbourhood already.

If you belong to a church ask if you can post an ad on their bulletin board.

Is there a daycare close to you? If there is go and introduce yourself to the people who run it. If they are impressed with you they would be happy to recommend you to their clients.

If you've already done some babysitting it would be to your benefit to ask those parents if you can use them as references Parents these days are very safety conscience and would expect references before leaving their children with someone they don't know.

Unfortunately, you may not find it easy to find a  job as so many parents are leary about leaving their young children with someone who is only 11. You are probably a very mature 11 but parents don't know that as they are only hearing the number. You may also not be old enough to baysit in the evenings late. The majority of parents with babies prefer someone older with experence. Try to find someone who is looking to mind their children while they themselves are busy in the home and need someone to entertain their children.

Sometimes just the word of mouth is the best job finder. Ask your mom to recommend you to any friends and neighbours. Expect to be interviewed on the phone and then asked to go and meet with the parents and children for another interview. How you present yourself at the personal interview is what will determine whether they hire you or not.

Your hourly wage is fine if you are just entertaining children while their parents are busy at home too. I think you should ask your friends who already babysit what they get paid per hour. Babysitting is a hard job and if you're good at it you should be paid accordingly.

Please do not offer to have people leave their number for you to call - it's just too dangerous. Please consider using some of the options I've given you instead to find your ultimate baby sitting job.

Hopefully you'll find what you want.

Good Luck.