What is it to be a babysitter, hands-on nanny from HireRush tells her story |
Posted: June 11, 2018 |
I have never dreamed about the work with kiddos but at the third course I decided to find a part-time job and started to search the market. Without any experience at all, I considered all possible trades, from a dog-walker to a waiter until I realized I have invaluable experience in caring for 2 younger sisters. Eureka! It appeared that I had great benefits and didn’t even guess about it. I do love children and know dozens of exciting stories on how to wear hateful slippers in a flat: ‘Look, the slippers are crying quietly! They are eager to see the world around…’ And it was a miracle; a shouting baby did what you say with pleasure. All experience is an arch to build upon. But from romance to reality, before you become a babysitter yourself you should know: Potholes to AvoidAfter several unsuccessful attempts due to the word of mouth, I decided to resolve this question constructively and found the list of required documents for a babysitter to find a good position. While there is less paperwork for independent nannies, it’s critical to have required documents, such as: · Originals of passport; · Driving license; · Babysitting Basics, First Aid and CPR/AED training certificate. As appeared, 8 in 10 asked parents answered that they pay more for a trained person with babysitting certifications as First Aid and CPR/AED. I found available online courses as I studied at that time and received special certifications that allowed me to learn basic care for infants and children, child behavior and age-appropriate activities and of course basic first aid. The average cost for First Aid/CPR certification is about $100 valid for 2 years. Babysitting basics online course costs about $35. · Nanny Liability Insurance. Caring for babies is a high-risk occupation. It is crucial to be constantly on guard against any potential danger. It takes a fraction of a second for an accident to occur and you can take primary responsibility. It goes without saying, any accident is emotionally traumatic and if a child may need a long-term medical treatment. If you do not have a public Liability Insurance, parents may sue you to be legally responsible at that moment. Like it or not, insurance is an urgent need for a babysitter. Basic commercial liability insurance runs from $350 a year. Pay Rates for BabysittersSelf-employed babysitters are independent ‘entrepreneurs’ who enter into a contract with the hiring parents. If a babysitter works through the staffing agency, the salary will be paid officially with tax deduction and defined duties and details. Some parents set a competitive rate to select the most appropriate candidate for their child. Baby-sitter salaries can range based on such factors as years of experience, employment status (i.e. full-time or part-time work) and education level (special aforementioned certificates). The national average salary in the USA for a babysitter is $13.04 per hour and $20,320 yearly in 2018. As for me, I obtained necessary certificates and had a part-time employment that took 4 hours a day 5 days a week after my colleague classes. Thus, I earned about $200 a week and continued my education. After graduating, I decided that I was ready to devote myself to a child caring and posted my resume in the net. In several months I was hired to care after one cute small boy but more about that later. My salary rose to $520 a week that inspired me to continue my further education in child rearing. I finished full babysitters training for approximately $90 and advanced child care course for nearly $40 online. Tips for a Newbie
I put this recommendation in the first place deliberately as the following points will not work without it. A babysitter is undoubtedly a person with an empathic heart who sometimes understands baby’s soul even better than parents. But there is a one little detail. Sometimes I hear shouts from nannies, like: “I want to save my beloved child from indifferent parents that do not have time for their own baby!” Only a real professional babysitter can build intimate distant relations (Yep, sounds like an oxymoron!) with a child and let parents provide love, warmth and tenderness. There is a very thin line that should not be crossed even by the best of intentions. A babysitter is a temporary employee and, soon or later, a child will say goodbye to his or her best friend. It can even be a neurosis for a very sensitive child.
It is most importantly to define babysitter’s duties and expectations of parents clearly at the outset. This will help you to determine whether you can meet those needs and it is even better to write these duties in a printed special duties checklist available online. All children’s activity and playtime should be specified and written. If you have a full -time schedule, your duties may comprise feeding, dressing, caring, health control, cooking, washing, cleaning, development and entertainment, indoor and outdoor activities etc. All these paragraphs are discussed thoroughly and will be taken into account when you get your salary.
Sometimes hazards may happen at the worst possible time. Be sure, you know all necessary telephone numbers, nearest hospital, first aid kit placement, child’s medical file etc; Be watchful, it is forbidden to print a text on a cell phone and let a child being not under the watch of you;
Your main task is to respect the timetable agreed upon with parents, thus I recommend having a separate day planner.
It is a fine antidote to anxiety. In any case, every child will test you to define their limits. Children behave better with a certain structure and limits; it helps them to become more self-disciplined. Do not try to be a ‘cool girl’, do not give in! Establish the rules of the house and stick to them. It will provide more respect from parents and child.
Sometimes be open to the concerns and unfounded, at first glance, criticism of overprotective parents. Be curious and attentive to their requests, even if you disagree.
Be ready to come up with one thousand stories to feed a child or change a T-shirt without irritating and raising your voice at the end of a day. You can be childlike without being childish. Children are always eager to have fun. Ask yourself, ‘Am I having fun?’. Pros and Cons of Being a BabysitterToday I know the profession of a babysitter inside out. Like any other profession it comprises some positive and negative moments. Having been a friend and a ‘coach’ of children for 4 years, I can distinguish several disadvantages as constant responsibility and tension, ever-expanding duties, isolation and emotional outburning as you should be always at your best. Among positive aspects, I can define such aspects: possibility to work in a friendly environment (without dozens of pressing emails, a hard taskmaster, annoying co-workers); decent paid income, possibility to make own hours (if you need it); possibility to share with my teaching and creative skills; possibility to have several free hours (a midday nap); possibility to have new friends and connections (that can provide me with work in future) and at last, but not the least, possibility to see smiling eyes of a little man when I make him happy as I have this joy inside.
So, are you ready to become that person, who will be responsible for that?
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