The Village Co. blog

Bookings, Communication and Payment Tips

The Village Co. — Sun, 07 Dec 2025 23:34:38 GMT

How to Accept & Manage Bookings
📅 Check your dashboard for new job requests.
💬 Respond promptly to parents' messages.
👶 Confirm any special instructions before arriving.

Good communication builds trust and increases your chances of getting repeat bookings.
** Sample message to confirm a booking: **
"Hi [Parent’s Name], I’m looking forward to babysitting [Child’s Name] on [Date]! Just checking if there’s anything special I should know before I arrive?"

Payment & Earnings

How & When You Get Paid
💰 The Village Co. offers secure, reliable payments. Here’s how it works:

Parents pay through the app — no awkward cash exchanges!
Payments are processed within 48 hours of job completion. You can track your earnings in your Sitter Dashboard.

Want to increase your earnings? ⭐ Get more bookings by maintaining a high rating and being responsive to parents!

How to Optimise Your Profile & Get More Jobs

The Village Co. — Sun, 07 Dec 2025 23:30:14 GMT

Stand Out with a Strong Profile

Parents are more likely to book sitters who:

✔ Have a friendly and professional profile photo
✔ Clearly list their experience and skills
✔ Share personal qualities like patience, creativity, or first-aid training
✔ Respond quickly to messages and job requests

🚀 Pro Tip: Update your availability regularly to ensure you're visible in search results!

Plunket Learning Hub

The Village Co. — Sun, 07 Dec 2025 23:25:52 GMT

Plunket has some wonderful resources such as a sleeping course for babies and an Infant and Child CPR course.

Click below for free access and once completed let us know at: sitters@thevillageco.nz so we can add it to your profile.

Babysitting Best Practices

The Village Co. — Sun, 07 Dec 2025 23:20:31 GMT

We want to ensure you feel prepared and confident for every booking.

Here are some key tips:

Before the Job:
Review the family’s profile and any special instructions.
Pack a small bag with essentials (notepad, pens, age-appropriate activities).
Confirm the job details with the parent via the The Village Co. messaging system.

During the Job:
Follow any routines the parents have set.
Engage children in activities rather than just supervising.
Always keep emergency contacts and important information on hand.

After the Job:
Provide a quick recap to the parents about the session. Leave the house as tidy as you found it.
Request a review from the parent to build your reputation on The Village Co.

Building your babysitting profile | The Village Co. Babysitting

The Village Co. — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 22:16:09 GMT

Welcome to the Village: Setting Up for Success

This first post is all about building a profile that will attract families to book you. We'll take you through each step of the process.

Step-by-step guide:

Choosing Your Profile Picture:

Make sure it's a solo photo of yourself. You want parents to recognise and trust the face they’re hiring.
Use a clear, well-lit image. Avoid blurry or group photos.
Smile! A friendly and approachable image helps build trust.

Crafting the Perfect Bio:

Keep it short but informative (150-200 words). Share what makes you a great babysitter: experience, personality, hobbies.
Mention your babysitting background (if any) and how you keep kids engaged (e.g., games, crafts).
Don’t forget to check for grammar and spelling mistakes. A clean, well-written bio shows professionalism.

Example Bio:

"Hi, I'm Emma, a university student with 3 years of babysitting experience. I’ve looked after children from 1 to 10 years old, and I love keeping them entertained with fun crafts and outdoor activities. Safety and care are always my top priority!"

Setting Your Rate:

Do some research on what other babysitters in your area are charging and adjust based on your experience.
Start with a competitive rate, and once you have more experience or recommendations, you can increase it.
Remember that The Village Co. takes a small platform fee, so consider that when setting your rate.

Securing a Recommendation:

Ask a teacher, coach, or parent who knows you well to write a character-based recommendation.
If you have prior babysitting experience, reach out to families you’ve worked with to leave a recommendation.
Having multiple recommendations boosts your credibility and makes you more attractive to families.

Handling Emergencies | The Village Co.

The Village Co. — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 22:09:58 GMT

While we hope emergencies never happen, it’s important to be prepared. Here’s what to do if something unexpected occurs.

Step-by-step guide:

Handling Medical Emergencies:

If a child is seriously hurt or you face a medical emergency, call 111 immediately.
Make sure you’ve asked where first aid supplies are located when you arrive at the family’s home.
Inform the parents of any incidents right away, no matter how minor.

Staying Safe:

Trust your instincts. If something feels off about a booking location or situation, contact The Village Co. support immediately on 07 807 9114 (diverts to mobile out of hours).
Never attempt medical procedures you aren’t trained to do (like CPR) unless certified.

Being Prepared:

Always have your phone fully charged in case you need to make emergency calls.
Double-check the children’s medical information (like allergies) before starting the booking.

Sitter Hub

The Village Co. — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 22:07:49 GMT

At The Village Co., we believe that babysitting isn’t just a job - it’s an important role in supporting families and building connections.

Babysitting Best Practices

We want to ensure you feel prepared and confident for every booking.

Here are some key tips:

During the Job:
Follow any routines the parents have set.
Engage children in activities rather than just supervising.
Always keep emergency contacts and important information on hand.

After the Job:
Provide a quick recap to the parents about the session. Leave the house as tidy as you found it.
Request a review from the parent to build your reputation on The Village Co.

Plunket Learning Hub

Plunket has some wonderful resources such as a sleeping course for babies and an Infant and Child CPR course.

Click here for free access and once completed let us know at: info@ittakesavillage.nz so we can add it to your profile.

Plunket Learning Hub

How to Optimise Your Profile & Get More Jobs

Stand Out with a Strong Profile
Parents are more likely to book sitters who:
✔ Have a friendly and professional profile photo
✔ Clearly list their experience and skills
✔ Share personal qualities like patience, creativity, or first-aid training
✔ Respond quickly to messages and job requests

🚀 Pro Tip: Update your availability regularly to ensure you're visible in search results!

Booking & Communication Tips

For more detailed support send us an email at sitters@thevillageco.nz.

Growing your babysitting business | The Village Co. Babysitting

The Village Co. — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 22:00:49 GMT

Building trust with families through positive recommendations can help you get booked more often.

Step-by-step guide:

How to Ask for Recommendations:

After completing a booking, politely message the family and thank them for the opportunity. Then, ask if they could leave a recommendation.
Example message: "Thanks again for having me look after [child’s name]. I really enjoyed it! If you have a moment, I’d appreciate a quick recommendation on the platform."

Boosting Your Profile:

The more recommendations you have, the more appealing your profile becomes to families.
Keep delivering excellent service, and you’ll soon have glowing reviews!

Following Up:

After each booking, send a friendly message to families to offer your services again.
Let them know you’re available for future bookings and they can request you directly through the app.

Earn More, Worry Less | The Village Co. Babysitting

The Village Co. — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 21:57:47 GMT

A comprehensive look at how you get paid on The Village Co. and how to maximise your earnings.

Step-by-step guide:

Setting Up Payment:

Before accepting any bookings, link your bank account or preferred payment method. This ensures you receive payments smoothly after each booking. There is a step by step guide on the blog.

How Payments Work:

Once the family confirms the booking is complete, your payment is processed through the app. You should see it in your account within 2-3 business days.
If you babysit over the weekend, expect payment by mid-week.

Adjusting Your Rate:

You can adjust your rate at any time in your profile settings. However, the new rate will only apply to future bookings.
Start with a competitive rate and adjust as you gain more experience and recommendations.

Taxes and Reporting Income:

Keep track of your earnings, as babysitting income is taxable. While The Village Co. doesn’t provide tax forms unless specific criteria are met, you should report all your income.
Consult a tax professional for guidance on managing your earnings.

Preparing for your first babysitting booking

The Village Co. — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 21:53:50 GMT

Making a great first impression is crucial. Here’s how to ensure your first booking goes smoothly from the start.

Step-by-step guide:

Introduce Yourself:

Use the The Village Co. messaging feature to send a friendly introduction once the booking is confirmed.
Confirm the date, time, and location, and ask if there are any specific house rules (e.g., screen time limits, bedtime routines).

Check Key Information:

Review the family’s profile in the site to check for important details like allergies or special needs.
Ask the parents if there are any specific care instructions before you arrive (e.g., where nappies are stored or meal preferences for the kids).

Preparing for Emergencies:

Always ask where first aid supplies are kept when you arrive.
Make sure you have the parents' contact information in case of an emergency.
If you’re unfamiliar with the address, use GPS to ensure you arrive on time.

Be Flexible:

Some bookings may have last-minute changes. Check your emails regularly to ensure no time adjustments have been made.