Tips for Teens Starting a Summer Babysitting Business
An excellent business choice for teens who enjoy children, babysitting is an idealjob. Teens should prepare themselves for business by taking the following steps:
CPR/Health Card
It's important for teens to have a health card or take a CPR class prior to tending to young children. Some areas also offer babysitting courses. Find out what your community offers and take advantage of these important classes. Knowing what to do If a child is choking could save a child's life. These skills will benefit the teen in many area's in their life besides childcare.
Location
Teens should consider whether they will be tending children at a clients home or at the teens home. If teens will be tending children in the teens home they should make sure that there is an area where the children won't be disrupting the rest of the family.
Legal Requirements
Check your local zoning laws and regulations to see If you teens babysitting business will be viewed as a day care center. If so, make sure to apply for the appropriate licensing in order to stay above the law. Check tax laws also and make sure your teen understands that this is a requirement for him or her to pay in order to operate the business.
Create a business plan
Set your pricing according to what other similar services in your local area will be charging. Your teen will want to be competitive without being over priced. Consider also any supplies you'll need to get started such as toys, art supplies, lunch or snack foods etc. Don't forget a receipt book and a registration form so that if parents need to be called the information will be readily available.
Marketing
Teens can create flyers and business cards to advertise their businesses. They could also notify local churches and ask that it be announced in the church or see If they could drop off business cards or flyers at the churches.
Let friends and family know teens are available to babysit as well, many families are scrambling for child care services during the summer months when school is out.
Play Time
Encourage teens to come up with unique and fun ideas for children's playtime. It could be fun to stage a little skit or a neighborhood play. Consider reading a book series or go to a local museum. If a park is within walking distance that can work well too for some fun childcare activities.
