Can you still work as a babysitter in the time of Coronavirus? Yes, if you are a remote babysitter (or virtual babysitter). The idea is new – after all it is precisely in times of crisis that new ideas arise – but it is already spreading in Holland and other European countries.
In a nutshell: parents in smart working have difficulty working with children at home and if they cannot have a babysitter at home, they can however call a babysitter who connects via video call and offers children fun activities. Let’s see how it works.
Index [ hide ]
- What is a remote babysitter?
- What activities can you do with children as a remote babysitter?
- How to organize a virtual babysitting session?
- What do you need?
- How do you start working as a remote babysitter?
- What about payment?
What is a remote babysitter?
A remote babysitter (or virtual babysitter , or online babysitter) is a babysitter who plays with children without physically entering the family home, but connecting via video call with a tablet, PC or even simply a phone. Leaving some time for parents to work safely at home without interruption or to relax on these long closed days at home with the children. The idea is new, but it is already catching on in some European countries.
What activities can you do with children as a remote babysitter ?
The possible activities depend a lot on the age of the children. The bigger they are, the easier it is. But things to do things with children, even if you are not in the same room with them, are many. A few examples? You can read them a story (you can find many stories for children on the internet too), teach a nursery rhyme or a poem. You can put music and dance with them or memorize a song by singing it many times together.
With the remote babysitter you can also play chess, checkers, naval battle, names of things and cities, the hanged man or any other game that requires only pen and paper. And then, of course, there are the table games: any table game can be played remotely, as long as the babysitter has a dice to roll and the child will move the marker and do everything there is to do physically on the game board. So Game of the Goose, Monopolies, Stairs and Snakes, Scarabeo and much more.
You can play with dolls (if you have a doll there with you), organize a chore by asking parents first to have scissors and glue paper and other simple materials ready. (Look here for our ideas for the jobs with the cardboard rolls for example, or the jobs with the straws , or the jobs for Easter ).
If as a “traditional” babysitter you have experience of homework help, or if you teach English or other languages, as a virtual babysitter you can continue to do so.
To begin with, download the Sitly App on your phone or tablet!
iOS – Android
How to organize a virtual babysitting session?
Even to start working as a remote babysitter, the advice is to slowly enter the world of the child. During the first day as a virtual babysitter you can ask the child to show you his room and his favorite games, to introduce you to the pets, and then ask him what he would like to do together.
During the first interview, ask the parents what the child likes to do, and prepare three or four activities to do together first. Of course, maximum attention to safety. Ask the parent to always stay nearby in case the child leaves.
What do you need?
Better if you have a pc or tablet. Just connect to a program that allows you to make video calls: Skype for example, or zoom. But also connecting via video call on Whatsapp from your mobile phone can be fine, if there is no other way.
How do you start working as a remote babysitter?
Register with Sitly and clearly indicate – and in evidence – in your profile that you are available as a remote babysitter. Indicate the times when you are available and the type of activity you can do remotely. For example, if you can help with homework or teach a language.
What about payment?
The rate of the remote babysitter must be decided together with the parent. Being a remote service, the rate may be a bit lower than the normal babysitting rates (consider that you don’t have to spend time on the move). But remote babysitting requires preparation for creativity and experience. So the rate shouldn’t be very different from that of traditional babysitting. You can establish a session package or an hourly rate.
To get paid you can use, for example, Paypal or Satispay or ask to receive a bank transfer.
If you have other questions or need help, contact us . We are here to help babysitters keep on working, in this difficult time.