How Old Do You Have to Be to Babysit?

Date Published: November 11, 2024

Babysitting is often seen as a rite of passage for children and teenagers — empowering their independence while earning money and gaining valuable experience in responsibility.

A babysitter, also known as a sitter, is hired by a parent, grandparent, or guardian to temporarily care for a child. They may look after children of all ages and are usually paid per hour. Their work schedule can be consistent — whether part-time or full-time — or as needed.

But what is the best babysitting age? Can 12 year olds babysit? Is there a legal age to babysit? Here’s what you need to know about how old do you have to be to babysit.

Babysitter Readiness

Pinpointing an exact babysitting age readiness isn’t simple because children mature at different ages. A child's overall maturity level is more critical than babysitting age.

• Do they have a track record of being responsible or attentive to younger siblings?
• Do they already babysit friends and family?
• Do they volunteer or participate in extracurricular activities where childcare experience is required, such as an after-school tutoring program?
• Can they keep themselves safe?
• Do they know what to do and who to call in an emergency?
• Can they handle activities of daily living, like hygiene, nutrition, and safety?

Regardless of the legal age to babysit, a child should be able to do all the above, in addition to the following:

• Do they know what to do if another child is hurt?
• Can they provide healthy meals, maintain a schedule, and tidy the house?
• Can they manage a child’s emotions and provide support if there is an argument or temper tantrum?

What Training is Recommended for a Babysitter?

Recommended training for a babysitter includes Pediatric First Aid, CPR and AED certification, early childhood education, and child care courses to enhance babysitter skills for your resume.

The American Red Cross offers babysitting and child care courses to prepare babysitters with universal skills and techniques. Courses are available online or in person and cover many important topics. Just a few of the things our babysitting classes cover include:

• Age-Appropriate Activities
• Basic Care for Infants and Children
• Basic First Aid
• Child Behavior
• Emergency Protocols
• Growing Your Business
• Leadership
• Professionalism

Babysitting Safety Tips

In addition to being mature, babysitters should understand safety and how to respond to an emergency. Basic safety knowledge is expected for babysitter skills. For example, a babysitter should not open the door to strangers or talk on the phone when caring for children (unless there is an emergency.)

Regardless of babysitting age, many families may expect babysitter skills to include specific training and safety qualifications, such as first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certifications.

Other babysitting safety tips include:

• Identify emergency contact information: Prepare a list of emergency contacts, including phone numbers and addresses, and where to find emergency supplies. Make sure the hiring family also provides their emergency contact information.
• Prepare instructions: Write down important information, such as time routines, allergies, or medications, and what to do in case of an emergency. Also, understand how to use any necessary household appliances or devices.
• Set boundaries: Identify areas of the house that are off-limits and relay any internet, phone, or TV usage rules.
• Practice: Before taking on a babysitter job, babysit siblings or family friends while an adult is still at home.