How to Start a Summer Babysitting Service
Setting up babysitting on a summer money-making status is the same as starting any other business. The enterprising teen who wants to start such an enterprise has to work it through with planning, knowledge and salesmanship.1. First decide whether you will be a one-person operation. That may get you the traditional one- or two-family customer base, but don’t expect to make much money. To make it a real business operation, you may opt to begin by enlisting other neighborhood teens to join you. In exchance for your scheduling, accounting and other responsibilities, they must agree to pay you a percentage of their income.Another choice would be that you handle all financial aspects directly with client parents, and you pay your teenage associates fees for their assigned duties. That would require more detailed bookkeeping, but also assure you of a larger share of the profits.2. Advertise your business. No commercial enterprise that offers services can survive long without regular advertising. As you’re launching your summer babysitting business, make sure every prospective family in your neighborhood knows how to contact you, the range of your services, fees and other useful details.In addition to reaching prospective customers by phone inquiries, post signs around the neighborhood and in local retail stores. Additionally, create a website with complete details about the services you provide.3. Be prepared to meet parents and convince them of your ability to properly take care of their children. Discuss your positive attitude about quality babysitting, personal school accomplishments, training in child care, as well as show written references from teachers, clergy and other sources.4. Make your babysitting services unique. Go beyond the traditional teen duties. You and your associates should qualify in CPR and other safety and emergency training, know how to prepare appropriate food, play games with children, excel in storytelling, know diaper changing and other positive features that will attract customers.Additionally, if you’re staffed well, you can provide services beyond just evening sessions of several hours. Offer babysitting over weekends and longer, emphasizing that you and your staff are well-qualified for such responsibilities.5. If your babysitting business will expand to have one or more teen employees, check with your parents to help you in possible legal responsibilities. You may be required to deal with insurance, licensing, bonding and other official protection for your you, your business, employees and clients.To start summer a babysitting business, a teen has the choice of doing it the traditional way. That is to accept jobs from one or two families as they’re offered. On the other hand, an ambitious teen can turn babysitting into a real money-making business. This will include a staff of expert teens who offer clients a whole range of attractive services they can't get elsewhere.
