1. Quiz
  2. Your result
  3. Your plan
  4. Your guide

Step-by-step guide

Babysitting and childminding: from your first family to a regular booking

Look after children in their homes, evenings, weekends or after school, for up to six children at a time. This guide covers real 2026 rates, safety, the family form, scripts and a 14-day plan to your first paid booking.

  • 23 lessons
  • 5 modules
  • about 2 hours in total

Is this guide for you?

Good fit if

  • You are calm, reliable and genuinely enjoy children.
  • You have references from families, a church, a school or a past job who can vouch for you.
  • You can be available evenings, weekends or after school.

Think twice if

  • You want to care for more than six children at once: that needs registration as a partial care facility.
  • You cannot get home safely at night and have no way to arrange it.

Honest expectations

  • Families you already know usually book first, often within two weeks.
  • Published 2026 averages are about R50 to R65 an hour, with higher rates for nights, several children or extra tasks.
  • It is steady once you have two or three regular families, and quiet when they are away.

What is inside

  1. Module 1

    Is this right for you?

    What it involves, who pays, and honest expectations.

    1. How babysitting and childminding worksFree · 5 min
    2. Honest expectations4 min (in the full guide)
  2. Module 2

    Set up and price

    What you need and what to charge.

    1. Your startup kit, costs and skills5 min (in the full guide)
    2. Set up step by step: ready for your first family5 min (in the full guide)
    3. Pricing and getting paid: real 2026 rates5 min (in the full guide)
    4. Your numbers: a worked example in rands5 min (in the full guide)
  3. Module 3

    Your first week

    The first steps, in order.

    1. Your first week, step by step6 min (in the full guide)
    2. Week one, step 2: Write your family form3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Week one, step 3: Learn child CPR3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Finding your first families: where to look5 min (in the full guide)
    5. Your 14-day first-booking playbook6 min (in the full guide)
    6. Messages to copy: your first customers5 min (in the full guide)
  4. Module 4

    Your first month

    A routine that brings in customers.

    1. Your first 30 days: build a routine4 min (in the full guide)
    2. Month one, task 1: Tell parent groups you are available3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Month one, task 2: Ask every family for a review3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Common mistakes new babysitters make4 min (in the full guide)
  5. Module 5

    Months two and three

    Repeat what works, grow and stay safe.

    1. Days 31 to 90: repeat what works and grow4 min (in the full guide)
    2. Months two and three, task 1: Offer regular after-school care3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Months two and three, task 2: Raise your rate once you are booked up3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Free courses to fill your skill gaps4 min (in the full guide)
    5. Getting paid safely and spotting scams4 min (in the full guide)
    6. Tax: what to put aside, with worked examples6 min (in the full guide)
    7. Risks, rules, tax and staying safe5 min (in the full guide)

What it costs to start

ItemCostNote
Phone with WhatsAppR0For bookings and emergencies.
Free online child CPR courseR0NSRI runs a free online course on drowning prevention and child CPR.
Accredited first aid Level 1 (optional)R0 to R1 790St John lists Level 1 at R1,790 for two days of training (Oct 2026). Parents value it; do it once bookings come in.

Try it before you buy

Lesson one is free. If it helps, the whole guide is R149 once-off.

Start the free lesson

Reviewed 26 October 2026 by the Earn Path team. Next review due 26 April 2027.