Save Money on Childcare by Starting a Babysitting Co-op

The cost of babysitting has drastically changed since I was a kid.

(Yay, inflation.)

For parents on a budget, there’s another option.

It’s a win-win situation, but forming a co-op requires careful planning.

To assist you, we’ve compiled some tips on how to get started with your fellow parents.

Who will be involved?

However, your co-op should decide whether to hand off that responsibility to a non-parent.

How often will you hold co-op meetings?

How will co-op duties be rotated, and how often?

Establishing a fair system (see below)

Can/should you discipline a child?

How will weekend babysitting be divided?

Can a member refuse services?

What if a sick child needs a babysitter?

How will you communicate with each other?

Will there be dues (for unexpected expenses and events)?

The Yes we can!

Project, created by the W.K.

Kellogg Foundation,shared three examplesthat can assist your co-op in developing its system.

Whoever is designated secretary will award each co-op member a 30-point base.

Points will be deducted for each hour of babysitting and awarded when members perform babysitting duties.

However, everyone starts at zero points instead of starting with a base number.

A scale should be established, with members earning or using points.

The amount of points will depend on the time of day and length of care.

In both point systems, the secretary position is rotated every few months.

They’ll be phoned when members need babysitting and to keep track of records.

For their service, they will be compensated with points.

The cards represent increments of time and are used as currency whenever babysitting is required.

However, if a member has 15 cards, it’s probably time for them to babysit.

Those with 60 or more cards should find others to share child care.

you’re free to also use spreadsheetsand appsto help keep your co-op in order.

Your event could be something as simple as a potluck or as elaborate as a block party.

It can even be an optional playdate held every few months.

you might even get the neighborhood involved to spread the word and recruit more members.

There are plenty of ways to let the community know about your co-op.

you might try the old-fashioned way with flyers and word of mouth.