What Is a Babysitting Contract?
A babysitting contract is a legal document that outlines the babysitting services a babysitter will provide for a family. It’s between the babysitter and the child’s parents or guardians. Families use this contract for short-term or occasional child care needs, such as when parents are away for a few hours during a weekday evening.
The parties use it to outline their expectations, including the scope of care, the schedule, and payment. It also includes unique provisions that cover the child’s needs.
Contracts for Other Care Arrangements
A babysitter contract may not cover the scope of care that a family desires. Consider Legal Templates’s nanny contract or daycare contract to establish a longer-term relationship.
What to Include in a Babysitting Contract
A babysitter contract helps the babysitter establish professionalism and implement clear expectations. Here are the key elements to include in your babysitter contract:
- Babysitter’s information: Write the name of the babysitter. If you’re a family in need of a babysitter, you can find a reputable one with Red Cross certifications on sites like Care.com and UrbanSitter.com.
- Family’s details: Provide the name of the child that will be under the babysitter’s care. Also, include the names and phone numbers of the child’s parents or guardians.
- Babysitting services: List the babysitting services provided. These often differ depending on the child’s age and the family’s needs. General duties include coordinating activities and supervising the child. Some contracts may require the babysitter to pick up the child from school, prepare meals, and assist with homework.
- Date of services: Record the date the services will start and end. If the babysitter will watch the child on a specific schedule (such as every Friday from 4 PM to 9 PM for one month), include these details.
- Hourly rate: Babysitters earn a national average of $16.78 per hour. However, the rate a babysitter charges can vary, depending on the area and their experience level.
- Upcharges: Babysitters may charge a higher hourly rate for last-minute services. There may also be different rates for babysitting on holidays.
- Emergency protocols: Establish a plan for the babysitter to handle a medical emergency. A child medical consent form can allow the babysitter permission to seek emergency medical care.
- Special permissions: Note if the child will be traveling with the babysitter for an activity. A separate child travel consent form may be needed.
- Reimbursements: Specify if the babysitter will be reimbursed for food or activities they pay for.
Sample Babysitting Contract
View an example of a babysitting contract to better understand the key provisions. Then, write your own using Legal Templates’s guided questionnaire. Download a copy in PDF or Word format to share with all involved parties.
