From mealtimes and bedtime routines to the trickier questions: can they do the hoovering? Take your child to the doctor’s? This guide gives parents a clear, honest picture of what a babysitter does, and what’s worth a conversation before they start.
- A babysitter’s core role covers safety, meals, routines, hygiene, and homework
- Child-related tidying is standard; general housework, grocery runs, and driving need to be agreed upon upfront
- Some things are never part of the role unless explicitly agreed: general housework, pet care, and having a playdate over
- Even when your child is asleep, your sitter is still working
- Playdates, doctor’s appointments, and school runs are all manageable, with a little preparation
Can you ask your babysitter to do the laundry while your child is asleep? Is it fine to expect them to help with homework, or pop to the shops with the kids? Every family is different, and so is every babysitter, but there are some things that come with the role as standard, and others that are worth a conversation before you assume.
Here’s a clear, parent-focused guide to babysitter duties and responsibilities, so you know what to expect, what to ask, and what to sort out upfront.
What Are a Babysitter’s Duties and Responsibilities?
A babysitter’s core job is to keep your child safe, comfortable, and cared for while you’re away. The specifics will shift depending on your child’s age and your family’s routine, but in general, you can expect a babysitter to:
- Supervise and keep your child safe
This is always the priority. A good babysitter adapts to your child’s age and development: the risks and needs of a six-month-old are very different from those of a six-year-old. - Manage nap times and bedtime routines
Sticking to the routine you’ve set, from the bath to the bedtime story. - Handle basic hygiene and care
Nappy changes, helping younger children wash and dress, administering any medication you’ve left instructions for. - Help with homework — for school-age children, keeping them focused and offering support when they get stuck. The sitter’s role here is to be a helping hand, not to do the work for them: encouraging your child to think things through rather than just providing the answers.
- Give you an update when you get home
A brief rundown of how the session went, and a heads-up about anything worth knowing.
Before you start looking for a babysitter, it’s worth reading up on the qualities that make a great babysitter, and having a list of questions ready for the babysitter interview so you can make the most of that first conversation.
Other Tasks You Can Ask Your Babysitter to Help With
Next to the core activities of keeping your child safe, there are other tasks you can ask your babysitter to do:
- Prepare or heat meals and snacks, following whatever instructions you leave about diet, allergies, and portion sizes.
- Do the school run: morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up, whether on foot or by public transport. If driving is involved, see below.
- Take your child to sports and activities. And stay for the session, or remain nearby and reachable. For younger children, this may include helping them sort their kit, get changed and shower after.
What Does a Babysitter Do with Kids All Day?
If you’re leaving your child with a babysitter for a full day or even just a long afternoon, it’s completely natural to wonder how they’ll fill the time. The honest answer is that a good babysitter comes with initiative, not just supervision.
Depending on your child’s age and interests, a typical session might include:
- Indoor play — board games, building blocks, arts and crafts, imaginative play, reading together.
- Creative activities — drawing, painting, simple baking, making things out of whatever’s in the craft drawer.
- Outdoor time — a trip to the park, games in the garden, or a walk in the neighbourhood (within the boundaries you’ve agreed on).
- Screen time — within the limits you’ve set.
It’s worth having a quick conversation with your sitter about your child’s favourite activities, anything they find overwhelming, and any places that are off-limits. A little context goes a long way.
Can I Ask My Babysitter to Do Household Chores?
This is the question most parents wonder about, but feel awkward asking directly. So here’s a straight answer. Anything child-related is generally fair game: washing up the dinner dishes, tidying away toys after playtime, wiping down the kitchen surface after a messy baking session. These things are a natural part of caring for your child, and most sitters will do them without being asked.
Tasks that go beyond the children are a different matter. If you’d like your sitter to take on something extra, like going to the supermarket with the kids in tow, putting on a load of laundry, or dusting, that’s absolutely something you can discuss. Just make sure you raise it before they start, not on the day.
The distinction is simple: if it’s connected to your child, it’s in scope. If it isn’t, it needs a conversation, and if it adds meaningful time or effort, it should be reflected in what you pay. Check out our babysitting rates calculator to get an idea of what to pay your babysitter, based on tasks and going rates in your area.
What is a Babysitter not Responsible for?
Knowing what falls outside a babysitter’s role is just as useful as knowing what’s in it. As a rule, anything that isn’t directly connected to your child isn’t part of the job unless you’ve agreed on it upfront.
That means general housework, pet care, grocery shopping, and any other household tasks that have nothing to do with the children. Most sitters are happy to discuss taking on something extra, but it needs to be a conversation before they arrive, not a surprise on the day.
It’s also worth resisting the temptation to think: “the child is asleep, so they should be doing something.” Even when your little one is napping, your sitter is still working: staying alert, listening out, ready to respond the moment they’re needed. They might use a quiet moment to study or watch something, and that’s completely fine.
What isn’t is expecting them to dust or tackle a pile of ironing because the house is quiet for a couple of hours.
Can the Babysitter Take My Child to a Doctor’s Appointment?
Yes, but it takes a bit of preparation on your part. Call the practice first to check whether they need a written authorisation from you. Some do, some don’t.
Either way, make sure your sitter goes prepared: a note with your child’s current medications, any allergies, and any specific questions you want the doctor to answer. Ask them to write down what the doctor says, or to request it in writing. It’s a lot to take in, and you don’t want to rely on memory alone for anything important. And make sure you’re reachable by phone throughout the appointment.
What If My Child Wants a Friend Over?
A playdate sounds harmless enough, but looking after two children is a different job from looking after one. More kids means more noise, more dynamics to manage, and more responsibility. It’s not something to spring on your sitter on the day.
If your child has a playdate planned for an afternoon when they’re with the babysitter, check with your sitter first. Make sure they’re comfortable with it and that they know the other child, any allergies, or particular needs. If playdates are likely to be a regular thing, it’s worth mentioning it when you first discuss the role and factoring it into what you pay.
Knowing what a babysitter does — and what they don’t — makes the whole process easier for everyone. Once you’re clear on what you need, the next step is finding someone who ticks the right boxes. Try Sitly to connect with available babysitters in your area.
Table of contents
There’s no single answer — it really depends on the children’s ages and the family’s needs. That said, most babysitting sessions involve some combination of play and activities, meals or snacks, and helping children wind down at the end of the day. Older children might need homework support; younger ones need more hands-on care.
Babysitting is more than just keeping an eye on kids. Depending on the role, it can include preparing food, doing school runs, managing bedtime routines, and light tidying up. Some families also ask sitters to help with small household tasks. It’s worth discussing expectations upfront so both sides are on the same page.
A babysitter’s core duty is the safety and wellbeing of the children in their care. Beyond that, duties vary but commonly include engaging children in age-appropriate activities, preparing meals, handling bedtime routines, and keeping parents informed about how the session went. Some roles involve more practical tasks like school pick-ups or helping with homework.
Trusted sitters, right around the corner
Need a little help? Sitly connects you with experienced babysitters in your area. Whether you need occasional or regular care, finding the right babysitter is super easy. Browse profiles, read reviews, and reach out to your favorites right away.
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