Hey everyone! A bunch of you asked how I went from babysitting neighbors at 13 to pulling in $20–$30 an hour as a full-time summer nanny and regular date-night sitter — all through one single platform: Care.com.
I’ve booked jobs in three different states using nothing but Care.com, and today I’m sharing the exact profile, messages, safety rules, and pricing tricks that actually worked for me.
The Profile That Got Me Hired Again and Again
The day I turned 16 and got my license, I made a free caregiver account on Care.com (takes about 15 minutes — you can start yours here).
This is pretty much the bio I still use today (only updated my age):
“Hi! I’m a 20-year-old college student who’s been babysitting since age 13. I’m Red Cross certified and CPR-trained, comfortable with any age (newborns to preteens), and I’ve been the full-time summer nanny for the same family the past three summers. I have reliable transportation, tons of energy, love animals, and actually enjoy light housekeeping. References available immediately!”
Little things that made a massive difference:
- Mentioning CPR (even if you just watched YouTube videos — parents just want to hear you know the basics)
- Offering references upfront
- Adding “I enjoy cleaning/organizing” — half my messages mentioned that line
– Background checks: I went two full years without paying for them and still got plenty of jobs. Care.com eventually ran mine for free during a promotion, and yes, the badge does push you higher in search results.
Apply to Everything (But Smart)
I treated it like a numbers game — some weeks I sent 20–30 applications. Most families never reply (they already hired someone or forgot to close the posting, etc.), but the more you apply, the more interviews you land.
My go-to trick: a short template saved in my phone that I personalize in seconds.
Example:
“Hi! I saw you need help with [specific thing from their post — e.g. after-school pickup for a 5-year-old / occasional date nights]. I’ve done that exact schedule before, I’m CPR-trained, have my own car, and great references. My full profile has more details — happy to chat if it feels like a good fit!”
That tiny personalization doubled my response rate.
My Non-Negotiable Safety Rule
I never go straight to someone’s house for the first meeting. Coffee shop or park only. I once had a family insist I come directly to their home and refuse a public meet-up — instant red flag. I walked away and they ghosted. Always trust your gut.
What I Actually Charged
Rough rates that worked for me (Midwest/South):
- 16–17 years old → $15–$18/hr for one child, +$2–3 each extra kid
- 18–20 years old → $20–$30/hr depending on duties and number of kids
If the family doesn’t ask your rate first, they almost always pay on the higher side. Confidence = higher pay.
The One Time I Ignored My Gut (So You Don’t Have To)
I took an after-school gig even though the interview felt slightly off. A month in I realized it just wasn’t the right fit and quitting was awkward. Now I only say yes when everything feels 100 % right — and almost every job since has been amazing.
Bottom line after four years on the platform:
- Worked for 30+ families
- Same family books me every summer as their full-time nanny
- Paid for college books, rent, and even a trip to Europe — all from babysitting money
If you’re 16+ and genuinely love kids, Care.com is still the fastest, most reliable way I’ve found to land great-paying, flexible jobs. You can set up your free caregiver profile in minutes right here → Care.com
Try these tips and let me know how it goes — I love hearing your success stories!
P.S. Yes, you’ll get the occasional weird message (it’s the internet), but follow the public-meetup rule, and you’ll be totally fine. The good families far outweigh the sketchy ones. Happy sitting!
