The holidays are coming, and so are more babysitting jobs: it’s one of the busiest times of the year for families, with office parties, family dinners, holiday shopping, Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve and the winter break. Many parents need a babysitter, a housekeeper or someone they trust to look after an elderly parent or the family pet while they’re away.
For you, it’s a great opportunity to pick up one-time jobs, build your reputation and even find a regular family for the year ahead. Here’s how to stand out on SOSgarde this holiday season.
1. Start early: families book babysitting jobs for the holidays in November
Families don’t wait until December 23 to post babysitting jobs for the holidays. Most start looking in mid-November, especially for high-demand nights like December 24 and 31. If your profile is ready now, you’ll be among the first caregivers they see.
2. Update your availability
This is the most important step. On SOSgarde, profiles with up-to-date availability rank higher in search results. If your availability has expired, families may never find you.
- Clearly show the evenings and weekends when you’re free.
- Say whether you accept one-time jobs (one evening, one day) or only regular work.
- Mention in your description if you’re available on December 24, 25, 31 or January 1: these are the most requested dates.
3. Add a real photo of yourself
Families want to know who they’re trusting with their children, their home or their parent. Profiles that use the default photo are not shown in search results or on the homepage. Choose a recent, well-lit photo where your face is clearly visible and you’re smiling.
4. Verify your email, phone and identity
Every verification builds trust with families and improves your visibility. In My profile → Visibility, you can:
- verify your email address;
- verify your cell phone number by text message;
- verify your identity;
- add your qualifications (first aid, CPR, early childhood education, etc.);
- get a background check.
The more complete and verified your profile is, the higher it ranks. Over the holidays, parents are short on time: they often contact the first profiles that inspire confidence.
5. Write a great description
Your description is your business card. In a few lines, explain:
- your experience (children’s ages, senior care, types of pets, housekeeping…);
- what you like to do with kids: holiday crafts, board games, playing in the snow;
- your strengths: driver’s licence, car, languages spoken, non-smoker, comfortable with pets.
Keep it simple and positive. For your safety, don’t include personal contact details (full name, email, phone number): families will contact you directly through SOSgarde messaging.
6. Apply to babysitting jobs over the holidays with a personalized message
In the Jobs section, you’ll find offers posted by families near you. You can only apply once to each job, so take the time to do it right:
- Read the whole offer: schedule, children’s ages, tasks.
- Apply quickly: holiday jobs fill up fast.
- With a Premium membership, you can write your own application message and explain why you’re the right person for this family. A message that mentions details from the offer makes all the difference.
7. Set a fair rate
Holiday work, especially on December 24 and 31, is often paid more than usual. To see what families typically pay, read our article Holiday Babysitting Rates in Ontario: What to Pay for Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Show a clear rate on your profile and agree on the details (end time, transportation, meals) before the big day.
8. Reply fast and stay professional
When a family writes to you, reply as soon as possible: you get an email or text notification as soon as a new message arrives. Confirm the details in writing in the messaging (date, hours, general address, tasks) and show up on time. After the job, invite the family to leave a review on your profile: positive reviews will help you land your next jobs.
Babysitting jobs over the holidays: a springboard for the whole year
Babysitting jobs done well over the holidays often turn into regular work in January. Take a few minutes today to update your profile, verify your information and browse the jobs near you.
Don’t have a profile yet? Sign up for free on SOSgarde and start applying today.