Frequently asked questions

Babysitters’ FAQs
How does it work?
How much does Findasitter.co.uk cost?
What happens when I register?
How is the information I provide used?
Can I remove my profile?
Can I change my details easily?
How do parent members select a babysitter?
How can I remove my listing or make my profile inactive?
How does a member contact me?
How do I keep myself safe?

How does it work?
To register, you create a profile about yourself. This only takes a few minutes. You can access your profile to edit or update the information at any time by logging in with your chosen username and password. This profile is what your potential employers will search on to match to their requirements. S you should make it as detailed as you can.  This is your opportunity to sell yourself!

How much does it cost to register as a babysitter with Findasitter.co.uk?
This is a free service to babysitters.   Unlike with agencies, you set your own hourly rates and you keep all that you earn.  Perhaps you have friends or family who might be interested?  Let them know about this great free service which will help them increase their business.  Click here for an A4 poster to print off so you can help us by putting it up in places where you go (like the local café, GP surgery, library or perhaps the place you work?).

What happens when I register?
Once you have filled out the registration form, you will be sent an e-mail to confirm your e-mail address. All you have to do is click on the link provided. This will confirm your registration and you will automatically become an active findasitter babysitter member. That means your profile will be able to be seen by potential employers and you will be able to receive e-mails about jobs.

How is the information I provide used?
The information you provide in the registration is used by the parents to see if you are a suitable babysitter to interview. Only your first name, postcode, and age group are displayed when showing your profile to potential employers.

How do parent members select a babysitter?
The parent member will have an idea of the type of sitter they require. The more information you provide, the better they can make a decision. If you feel capable to look after children with disabilities, say so.  But if you are not yet confident or experienced in this don’t feel bad at limiting your profile.  If you get different experience, change your profile to reflect your new experience and skills.

How does a parent member contact me?
Once you have been selected by a parent member as a potential babysitter, they contact you through the website by an email.  The e-mail you will receive will be from us with the parent e-mail information. Some may even give you a mobile or phone number to contact them.  Please reply to all these emails even if you are busy or not interested.  The initial contact they have with you will help them decide if they would like to meet you.  If you are going away, please make your profile inactive.

How can I remove my listing or make my profile inactive?
You can easily remove your profile. After you login to your own welcome page, you can change your listing to inactive with the click of the mouse. This means your profile will no longer be displayed for potential employers to see. If and when you would like to continue to receive jobs, all you do is login again and click the mouse on active.

Can I change my details easily?
You can very easily change any details in your profile.  After you login to your own welcome page, select edit to update any of your information in your profile..

How do I keep myself safe?
Members will be able to view your profile and when you are available for work. As for your personal details, only your first name, age group and your postcode are displayed along with your availability and qualifications. You can only be contacted by e-mail and this is not revealed to the member until you reply to the e-mail.

How much can I charge?
This depends on all sorts of things which is why we don’t set a rate.  In the area in which I live, the going rate is about £5 - £7 an hour.  For weekends or Christmas it might be more.  When there are additional children an extra £1 or 50p an hour might be normal.  For children with disabilities the rate will be a little higher.  It depends on things like:

• Your age 
• The distance you have to travel
• The number of children you will be looking after (and their ages)
• The number of hours
• How experienced you are
• Whether the children have any disabilities
• How  many other babysitters there are in your area

which is why we ask you to say what you would like to be paid as a starting point for negotiations.  If you are not sure what to charge, why don’t you ask around your friends what they charge?  But you should always agree the hourly rate before agreeing to a job and I suggest that parents round it up to the next half hour, so for example if you have agreed £6  an hour and they go out at 7.30 and get back at 10.45 they’d pay you £21: 3 and a half hours’ pay. 

How does feedback work?
Parents who use you can give you a feedback rating and write a comment about you.  We average this out to give each babysitter an overall star rating. Parents can edit this feedback later on but are not able to post multiple feedbacks (this is to prevent someone boosting a babysitter’s rating). 
Feedback is one of the things parents may take into account when choosing a babysitter.  Remind parents that they can post feedback if they are happy with your service and help you get work!

Once you register, you will have access to a list of safety suggestions, as well as info to help you on the job and tips to get more jobs.  (Still in progress)
To learn more about our policies, see our terms of useor contact us with questions.