The Difference in Babysiting & Home Daycare

Baby girl playing

As long as there are children in the world, parents will always need someone to care for them. Home day care and babysitting are two of several child care options for children. Although both of these services involve the supervision of kids, there are some distinct differences in the requirements and type of care given.

Licensing

A home day care is a form of child care in which the provider cares for up to seven kids at a time in her home. This type of child care requires a state license to operate legally. Babysitting is when a person randomly supervises kids for one family at a time inside of the employer's residence. A license is not required for babysitting.

Training

A high school diploma or equivalent is required to operate a home day care. Some states also require home day care providers to have early childhood training via approved workshops or college courses, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first-aid certification. Babysitting does not require any specialized training or certifications.

Age

Home child care providers must be at least 18 years of age or older to legally provide care for children. A babysitter can be as young as 12 years old, as long as she is responsible enough to handle the duties.

Materials

Home day cares are required to provide learning materials and plan activities to stimulate physical, emotional, cognitive, and social development in children. A sitter is not required to provide any materials for babysitting. Instead, she follows instructions left by the parents of the child she's caring for.

Compensation

Home day cares charge a flat weekly, bi-weekly or monthly fee for child care services. Babysitters are typically paid by the hour.

References

• National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education: Individual States' Licensing Regulations