How to Set up a Babysitting Co-op

A babysitting co-op is a group of moms that share babysitting with one another on a no-charge basis. Babysitting co-ops are an opportunity for mothers and children to have a support group and make new friends. They offer opportunities for mothers to have time away free from the financial burden of childcare.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Find women who are interested in joining a co-op. Look for women at church, your children's play groups, preschool and elementary school.

2. Designate a secretary. Rotate this position monthly through the co-op.

3. Give 30 points to each member of the co-op at the time of start up. Subtract one point for each hour of babysitting used per child from the mother having her children babysat. Add one point, for each hour of babysitting per child, to the person babysitting.

4. Make it the babysitter's responsibility to notify the secretary each time she babysits to report her new points.

5. Make a copy of member information for all members. Include the mother's name, phone number, children's names and emergency contact information.

6. Take a turn babysitting when your points dip below 16. Send your children to the babysitter when your points reach 60. Babysitting assignments should go to the member with the least amount of points.

7. Meet every 6 months to discuss any issues that may arise in the co-op. Have each member vote on new decisions and policies.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep track of points on a computer spreadsheet. Email the spreadsheet to the new secretary each month.
• Determine an age limit for swaps. A mother of an infant may not care to watch a 9-year-old.
• Each mother should be responsible for sending meals and snacks with their child to the sitter.
• Do not invite people to be members if you do not like them or their children. This could make the co-op unpleasant for everyone.

Resources

• Visit this website to purchase a co-op kit.

[vashti42]

on 6/19/2008 It seems like the different articles on eHow that describe how to set up a babysitting co-op should be merged. This one has a good premise. It needs more meat around what the rules should really be.
Tip: It should always be ok to say NO.
Tip: All existing members must agree before new members are added to the co-op.
Tip: Create a handbook that contains the emergency info mentioned, don't forget to include a release form for emergency care and a survey of the child's likes and dislikes [if the child is to young to communicate]
Tip: We used poker chips that we etched with a little stick figure. Everyone had a set of chips and we exchanged them for hours of babysitting. That way you don't have to rely on a secretary or record keeper. Chips are like money 1 chip = 1 kid for one hour. (when I did this it was 20 years ago - before email, but it was extremely successful)