{ "batch": "1993-babysitter-how-to-start", "articles": [ { "id": "learn_r1993_babysitter_how_to_start_1993_babysitter_how_to_start_001", "category": "Getting Started", "title": "[Unverified - being checked] Maryland babysitting law: Access.id", "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] Maryland is the only US state with a statutory minimum babysitting age of 13 years old.", "body": "Maryland is the only US state with a statutory minimum babysitting age of 13 years old.\n\nWhat Care.com actually says:\n\n““It’s a state law under the Maryland Department of Human Resources that a child must be at least 13 years old to babysit another child,” says Karen Falcon of the Office of Public Information for Montgomery County Government in Rockville, Maryland.”\n\nNote: Statutory minimum age for babysitting in Maryland", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://www.care.com/c/how-old-do-you-have-to-be-to-babysit/", "last_verified": "2026-10-09", "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Care.com", "evidence_quote": "“It’s a state law under the Maryland Department of Human Resources that a child must be at least 13 years old to babysit another child,” says Karen Falcon of the Office of Public Information for Montgomery County Government in Rockville, Maryland.", "volatility": "low", "from_batch": "1993-babysitter-how-to-start", "subject": "Maryland babysitting law", "topic": "Access.id", "applies_to_country": "USA", "applies_to_scope": "Maryland only", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "choosing", "region": [ "us-md" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "access.id" ], "explicitness": "any" }, "verification": { "status": "unverified", "label": "Unverified - being checked", "reasons": [ "legal_fetch_over_cap" ], "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z" } }, { "id": "learn_r1993_babysitter_how_to_start_1993_babysitter_how_to_start_002", "category": "Getting Started", "title": "Care.com sitter eligibility: Access.signup", "summary": "Care.com requires caregivers to be at least 18 years old and all caregivers must undergo enhanced screening including a criminal background check.", "body": "Care.com requires caregivers to be at least 18 years old and all caregivers must undergo enhanced screening including a criminal background check.\n\nWhat Care.com actually says:\n\n“In order to enroll, you need to [be at least 18], and every individual caregiver who joins the Care.com platform is required to undergo enhanced screening, which includes a criminal background check.”", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://www.care.com/c/how-old-do-you-have-to-be-to-babysit/", "last_verified": "2026-10-09", "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Care.com", "evidence_quote": "In order to enroll, you need to [be at least 18], and every individual caregiver who joins the Care.com platform is required to undergo enhanced screening, which includes a criminal background check.", "volatility": "medium", "from_batch": "1993-babysitter-how-to-start", "subject": "Care.com sitter eligibility", "topic": "Access.signup", "applies_to_country": "*", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "setting_up", "region": [ "any" ], "platform": "carecom", "topic": [ "access.signup", "access.id" ], "explicitness": "any" } }, { "id": "learn_r1993_babysitter_how_to_start_1993_babysitter_how_to_start_003", "category": "Getting Started", "title": "Red Cross Babysitting course minimum age: Access.id", "summary": "American Red Cross babysitting and child care courses are available to those ages 11 and older, and the in-person Babysitter's Training course is designed for ages 11-16.", "body": "American Red Cross babysitting and child care courses are available to those ages 11 and older, and the in-person Babysitter's Training course is designed for ages 11-16.\n\nWhat American Red Cross actually says:\n\n“The updated Babysitter's Training course is an in-person comprehensive caregiving program that delivers real-life readiness babysitting skills to those ages 11-16.”\n\nNote: Red Cross official babysitting course minimum enrollment age", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/babysitting-child-care", "last_verified": "2026-10-09", "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "American Red Cross", "evidence_quote": "The updated Babysitter's Training course is an in-person comprehensive caregiving program that delivers real-life readiness babysitting skills to those ages 11-16.", "volatility": "low", "from_batch": "1993-babysitter-how-to-start", "subject": "Red Cross Babysitting course minimum age", "topic": "Access.id", "applies_to_country": "USA", "tags": { "lane": "teaching", "stage": "setting_up", "region": [ "us" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "access.id" ], "explicitness": "none_on_camera" } }, { "id": "learn_r1993_babysitter_how_to_start_1993_babysitter_how_to_start_004", "category": "Getting Started", "title": "Red Cross babysitting course content: Craft.studio", "summary": "Red Cross babysitting and child care courses cover choosing age-appropriate activities, basic child care such as feeding, diapering and picking up a child safely, and child behavior.", "body": "Red Cross babysitting and child care courses cover choosing age-appropriate activities, basic child care such as feeding, diapering and picking up a child safely, and child behavior.\n\nWhat American Red Cross actually says:\n\n“our online and in-person courses are available to those ages 11 and older, and include topics such as choosing age-appropriate activities, basic child care, like feeding, child behavior, diapering, picking up a child safely, and more.”\n\nNote: Course topics from official Red Cross babysitting training", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/babysitting-child-care", "last_verified": "2026-10-09", "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "American Red Cross", "evidence_quote": "our online and in-person courses are available to those ages 11 and older, and include topics such as choosing age-appropriate activities, basic child care, like feeding, child behavior, diapering, picking up a child safely, and more.", "volatility": "low", "from_batch": "1993-babysitter-how-to-start", "subject": "Red Cross babysitting course content", "topic": "Craft.studio", "applies_to_country": "USA", "tags": { "lane": "teaching", "stage": "setting_up", "region": [ "us" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "craft.studio" ], "explicitness": "none_on_camera" } }, { "id": "learn_r1993_babysitter_how_to_start_1993_babysitter_how_to_start_005", "category": "Getting Started", "title": "Red Cross training value to parents: Money.pricing", "summary": "According to a Red Cross survey of parents, 8 in 10 surveyed parents said they would pay more for a trained babysitter who holds Red Cross babysitting certifications.", "body": "According to a Red Cross survey of parents, 8 in 10 surveyed parents said they would pay more for a trained babysitter who holds Red Cross babysitting certifications.\n\nWhat American Red Cross actually says:\n\n“In fact, 8 in 10 surveyed parents said they would pay more for a trained babysitter who holds Red Cross babysitting certifications.”\n\nNote: Sample size, survey date and exact question not stated on page", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/babysitting-child-care", "last_verified": "2026-10-09", "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "American Red Cross", "evidence_quote": "In fact, 8 in 10 surveyed parents said they would pay more for a trained babysitter who holds Red Cross babysitting certifications.", "volatility": "low", "from_batch": "1993-babysitter-how-to-start", "subject": "Red Cross training value to parents", "topic": "Money.pricing", "applies_to_country": "USA", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "first_month", "region": [ "us" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "money.pricing" ], "explicitness": "any" } }, { "id": "learn_r1993_babysitter_how_to_start_1993_babysitter_how_to_start_006", "category": "Getting Started", "title": "Childcare workers wages: Money.pricing", "summary": "O*NET reports median hourly wages of $16.82 and median annual wages of $34,980 for childcare workers in 2025, based on 1,010,300 employees with projected job growth of decline (-1% or lower) and 150,300 projected job openings from 2025 to 2035.", "body": "O*NET reports median hourly wages of $16.82 and median annual wages of $34,980 for childcare workers in 2025, based on 1,010,300 employees with projected job growth of decline (-1% or lower) and 150,300 projected job openings from 2025 to 2035.\n\nWhat O*NET OnLine (U.S. Department of Labor) actually says:\n\n“Median wages (2025) $16.82 hourly, $34,980 annual ... Employment (2025) 1,010,300 employees ... Projected growth (2025-2035) Decline (-1% or lower) ... Projected job openings (2025-2035) 150,300”\n\nNote: O*NET has no babysitter occupation code; childcare workers 39-9011 is the closest comparable official occupation", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/39-9011.00", "last_verified": "2026-10-09", "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "O*NET OnLine (U.S. Department of Labor)", "evidence_quote": "Median wages (2025) $16.82 hourly, $34,980 annual ... Employment (2025) 1,010,300 employees ... Projected growth (2025-2035) Decline (-1% or lower) ... Projected job openings (2025-2035) 150,300", "volatility": "medium", "from_batch": "1993-babysitter-how-to-start", "subject": "Childcare workers wages", "topic": "Money.pricing", "applies_to_country": "Us", "applies_to_scope": "O*NET occupation 39-9011.00 Childcare Workers, not specifically babysitters", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "choosing", "region": [ "us" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "money.pricing" ], "explicitness": "any" } }, { "id": "learn_r1993_babysitter_how_to_start_1993_babysitter_how_to_start_007", "category": "Getting Started", "title": "Childcare workers education and job zone: Craft.studio", "summary": "O*NET classifies childcare workers in Job Zone 1-2 (Very Little to Some Preparation Needed), where typically a high school diploma or GED is required, and job training ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.", "body": "O*NET classifies childcare workers in Job Zone 1-2 (Very Little to Some Preparation Needed), where typically a high school diploma or GED is required, and job training ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.\n\nWhat O*NET OnLine (U.S. Department of Labor) actually says:\n\n“Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed ... Education: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. ... Job Training: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.”\n\nNote: Job Zone data for childcare workers; no specific babysitting pathway listed", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/39-9011.00", "last_verified": "2026-10-09", "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "O*NET OnLine (U.S. Department of Labor)", "evidence_quote": "Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed ... Education: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. ... Job Training: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.", "volatility": "medium", "from_batch": "1993-babysitter-how-to-start", "subject": "Childcare workers education and job zone", "topic": "Craft.studio", "applies_to_country": "Us", "tags": { "lane": "teaching", "stage": "setting_up", "region": [ "us" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "craft.studio" ], "explicitness": "any" } } ] }