Care work

Babysitting and childminding (up to six children)

Look after children in their homes or yours, evenings, weekends or after school, for up to six children at a time.

Some evidenceLast checked 24 Oct 2026

To startR0 to R800
First randabout 2 weeks
WhereIn person
Effort Easy to start

See how this fits you, freeAbout 6 minutes, no sign-up.

Is this for you?

Best for

Patient, responsible people with experience with children and good references.

In South Africa: Strong everywhere.

What you need

A phone is enough to start
Works on everyday data
No camera needed
No cold selling
At least 4 hours a week · age 16+
Nursing or caring for people (learning or better)

The money

What it can earn

Pocket money
A top-up
A second income
Can become a full income

This is usually pocket money: helpful, but rarely enough to live on by itself.

What people charge

R50 to R80 per hour

Babysits reports about R56 an hour on average in SA (2026). Scenarios assume one paid hour per working hour.

Costs to plan for

Start-up: R0 to R800
Every month: First aid course, transport.
Payment fees: Cash or EFT at the end of the booking.
Margin: High; your time is the cost.

How it is paid: Hourly rate; extra after midnight. Our viability score for it: 65 out of 100 (how we score).

How to start

1
Test it cheaply Before you spend
- Ask three families you know for a written reference
- Do a basic first-aid course
- Success signal: two regular families
2
First week Days 1 to 7
- Set your hourly rate and late-night rate
- Write a family form: allergies, rules, emergency contacts
- Book a first-aid course
3
First month Days 8 to 30
- Tell parent groups you are available
- Ask every family for a review
4
By three months Days 31 to 90
- Offer regular after-school care
- Raise your rate once you are fully booked

Families you know usually book first. First income usually takes 3 to 45 days. A day-by-day version for your situation is in the full plan.

Step-by-step guide

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

23 short lessons with scripts, templates and rand prices to copy. R149 once-off, and the first lesson is free.

See what is inside

Customers and demand

Who pays

Working parents, parents going out, families on holiday.

Safe, trusted care when parents are busy.

Is there demand?

Babysits reports an average SA babysitting rate of about R56 an hour (2026). Caring for more than six children needs registration as a partial care facility.

Babysits and similar sitesChurch and school parent groupsNeighbourhood WhatsApp groups

Getting customers

References from families you know and a first-aid certificate.

Word of mouth and referralsDirect messagesResponding to enquiriesWork handed out by an app or platform

Risks and rules

Watch out for

Child safety: know the parents' emergency numbers, allergies and rules
Getting home safely at night: agree transport
Caring for more than six children without registration is illegal

Competition: Moderate; trust and references decide.

Room to grow: Time-bound.

Legal and tax in South Africa

Up to six children needs no registration; more than six is a partial care facility under the Children's Act and must register.
Register for income tax with SARS once you earn above the tax threshold, and keep a record of every sale and every cost (stock, materials, transport and fees are business costs).
If you are 16 or 17, you need a parent's or guardian's OK, and an adult should look after payments and any accounts.
Never work during school hours.

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to start babysitting and childminding in South Africa?

Our research puts start-up costs at about R0 to R800. Recurring costs: First aid course, transport.

How long until the first income?

Typically about 14 days, and between 3 and 45 days. Families you know usually book first.

Can I do it with only a phone?

Yes, a smartphone is enough to start, although a laptop helps as you grow.

What about tax and legal rules?

Up to six children needs no registration; more than six is a partial care facility under the Children's Act and must register. Register for income tax with SARS once you earn above the tax threshold, and keep a record of every sale and every cost (stock, materials, transport and fees are business costs). If you are 16 or 17, you need a parent's or guardian's OK, and an adult should look after payments and any accounts. Never work during school hours.

Sources (3)

Babysits: average babysitting rate in SA (second-hand, checked 24 Oct 2026)
SA Government: register ECD partial care facilities (first-hand, checked 24 Oct 2026)
SARS: how do I register for tax (first-hand, checked 26 Oct 2026)

Free tools for this

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