You have experience working with kids, after all you are a WAHM aren't you? However do you really have what it takes to be a Baby Sitting WAHM. Maybe your kids are now all grown up and you really miss being that mother hen caring for her chicks, whatever the reason, starting a work at home baby sitting business may be right for you. Mature and responsible Baby Sitters offer an important role to parents and help keep the one hundred and forty-five million babies in this country healthy and happy.
As a baby sitter, you’ll offer a valuable service to your community and help busy parents who are on vacation or who need someone to take care of their babies during the day, a bit like a creche, or nanny service, whilst other mom's work.
Getting started as a baby sitter is very simple. To begin with, you’ll need to decide if this really is a business that you want to pursue. First off, ask yourself if you really love kids? If you are considering baby sitting just because you think it will be an easy job, then it is not right for you. You must enjoy spending time with kids and have at least a little experience in being around them. While most baby sitting jobs involve young children, you may occasionally be asked to care for older kids or even teenagers as well. Make sure you are comfortable with teens before accepting assignments involving them. If you have ever been a bus kid team leader or church assistant, then you really could consider this WAHM option. Remember having to care for a whole bunch of kids of varying ages is nothing like what you may have imagined, if you've never experienced what kindergarten carers go through every day, be warned.
Start your business by becoming legal. Obtaining a business license doesn’t cost much and will give you a professional edge when getting new clients, some states require that you become a state registered carer, this is for yours and the children's protection. You'll certainly need addition insurance cover so do see a professional advisor, it's best to be safe and well covered against law suit's. You’ll also be able to take advantage of many tax write-offs, including your costs for mileage to and from your customer’s homes and any necessary business supplies.
Speaking of business supplies, all you’ll really need are business cards and an appointment book to keep track of your assignments. Unlike other work at home businesses, the start up necessities for baby sitting can be relitively low if you are only looking after children in their own homes, because they already have lots of toys and equipment to play with. Be aware however that if you use your own home for these services you may need to provide special safe play areas, or be vetted by your local social services dept for health and safety regulations, all can add to your business start up costs.
Next, you’ll need to decide on what services you offer and how much you are going to charge. Play detective and find out the going rate for baby sitting services in your area, do ask other moms, or even phone your competitor and simply ask them as though you were a potential customer. Try to stay in the same price range. Offering lower prices may seem like a way to beat the competition, but it also makes your services appear less valuable to potential clients. You can print your rates on the back of your business cards, or make up a small flyer with prices listed on it.
Getting clients for your baby sitting business may be the most difficult part of running the business. However, with a little effort you can build a client list rather quickly. The best way to get clients and assignments is by word of mouth. Offer to baby sit for neighbors and friends to help build your reputation. Once you’ve done a good job for them, they’ll tell their friends and so on.
You can also use a few free and low cost advertising methods to get the word out about your business. You can distribute your cards at local baby shops, or post a flyer on their bulletin boards. Ask your local pediatrician if they would put some of your business cards on their reception desk, or recommend you to other parents. A small ad in your local paper can really help get the ball rolling for your business. Before and after school services could prove very valuable for working parents, as often their working day starts and ends outside the normal school day. Consider too that you may also be needed weekends or evenings so be prepared.
Once you have clients calling you for baby sitting appointments, make sure to keep them by treating them with great customer service. Always arrive on time and prepared to watch their babies. Respect their home and their property. If they enjoy your service, they’ll be more likely to call you in the future.
Here's to your being a "Work At Home Mom" success
John
John Elliott aka Oaky Wood together with Luella May co-founded http://thecorner4women.com and highly recomends
http://thecorner4women.com/WAHM.htm
"Motivating & Empowering Women, in the Home for Business, Health and Leisure"
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