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Being a babysitter is an important job and can prove a great source of income. Babysitter skills and responsibilities are varied. From helping children with homework to transporting children to preparing snacks, diverse babysitter skills can be required for the job, and requires skill sets may look different depending on the family and circumstances.
If you’re hoping to launch your babysitting career or boost your babysitter resume skills if asked by a parent or agency, here are 15 things to consider that you can add to your resume.
Knowing basic first aid and CPR will boost your babysitter resume skills and might set you apart. Someone who has taken the time to learn CPR and first aid skills would likely be chosen over someone who hasn’t.
There are many options for first aid and CPR certification classes. The American Red Cross Training Services has several that address babysitter skills and responsibilities.
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.) Additionally, many families may expect babysitter skills to include specific training and safety qualifications, such as first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certifications.
Download the Red Cross First Aid App!
Babysitting often involves quick thinking and requires solving problems in the moment. Whether managing a disgruntled child at bedtime, resolving a disagreement between siblings, or handling an accident, problem-solving abilities are essential babysitter skills.
Time management is an important life skill but also an important babysitter skill. A babysitter uses time management skills to coordinate activities, manage homework, and adhere to specific routines. Showcasing time management on your babysitter resume skills is a meaningful way to show you’re qualified.
Being responsible and reliable are top babysitter skills. Families rely on babysitters to arrive on time and complete tasks as agreed upon. Responsibility also means that the babysitter should be available when the parents need them and not cancel at the last minute.
Interpersonal skills—traits you use when interacting and communicating with others—are essential babysitter skills.
Some of the most common interpersonal babysitter resume skills to highlight include:
Compassion is an empathic understanding of someone’s feelings, often accompanied by selflessness or a desire to act on that person's behalf. Babysitter skills and responsibilities require you to relate to a child’s situation and help them. Highlighting compassion babysitter resume skills could include:
Thriving babysitters have strong empathy skills. Empathy differs from compassion because empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. Babysitter skills and responsibilities include interacting with children and caring for them. By showing empathy on your babysitter resume skills, you reassure prospective families and their children.
Emotional intelligence is a crucial interpersonal skill for a babysitter. An emotionally intelligent babysitter is better suited to provide a nurturing and supportive environment. Being able to regulate emotions helps babysitters form strong relationships with the children.
Additionally, emotional intelligence includes recognizing and responding to a child’s emotional needs and navigating conflicts and challenges in a positive and respectful manner. These skills are important in your role as a babysitter and a great addition to your babysitter resume skills.
When you babysit, you interact with children and their parents. Strong communication skills are essential babysitter skills. Babysitters must communicate professionally with the parents, including actively listening, responding, and engaging with the children.
Clear and open communication prevents misunderstandings and ensures the children’s needs are met.
Children can be challenging sometimes, and families want someone who can patiently handle them. Patience is essential to include in your babysitter resume skills.
Dealing with children can also be unpredictable, and a babysitter needs to remain calm and flexible in challenging situations. Whether dealing with a temper tantrum, comforting an anxious child, or handling a change in plans, babysitter resume skills should illustrate your ability to be patient and flexible.
Highlighting childcare experience on your babysitter resume skills demonstrates to families that you are equipped to care for children. Childcare experience can be in a professional setting, such as a daycare, or in a personal setting, such as caring for a family member’s children.
Babysitting involves more than just keeping an eye on children—you must also entertain them (e.g., reading, toy exploration, puppet show)! The most successful babysitters engage with children, so including special abilities on your babysitter resume skills is a critical way to differentiate yourself.
School-age children usually take a keen interest in creative activities. Activities like drama, singing, dancing, arts, and crafts help school-age children improve their social skills, express their emotions, develop creativity and physical and motor skills, and build confidence.
Creative activities that align with the passions and interests of children are valuable babysitter resume skills.
Babysitters are usually only sometimes expected to provide food for the children they're tending to. But in some circumstances, you might be expected to cook, prepare leftovers, or complete meal preparation. So, if you are proficient in the kitchen, cooking is an excellent addition to your babysitter resume skills.
Babysitters may be required to monitor or assist with homework completion—including various subjects like French, math, and critical reading. Highlighting your special abilities on your babysitter resume skills, whether it’s a second language or subject expertise, can set you apart.
Improving your child care skills can be a game-changer both personally and professionally. As you gain experience as a full-time or freelance babysitter, you’ll get better at managing your time, thinking creatively, and staying patient. Plus, you’ll build confidence along the way. These skills are essential when it comes to listing babysitting on your resume. A strong babysitter description should emphasize these skills, showing that you can handle responsibilities, engage kids in fun and creative ways, and manage different situations with ease.
The American Red Cross Child Care app equips caregivers with essential skills and knowledge to care for infants and children safely. It offers detailed information on topics like diapering, feeding and emergency first aid, interactive lessons, quizzes and child profiles to track vital information. This free app provides comprehensive child care insights to ensure children are safe, healthy and happy. Download it today!
Or text: "CHILDCARE" to 90999
