Babysitting business a textbook operation

Four senior students from Takapuna Grammar School have created a backyard baby care business.

Jess Pausch, Zoe Boonzaier, Jade Kelbrick and Serina Mansell made a Facebook page earlier this month called North Shore Babysitters, to make it easier for parents to find and contact a babysitter whenever they need one.

“The whole thing started after we all talked about needing to find some form of work since we don’t have enough time to get a permanent part-time job.  We thought making a little babysitting business was the next best thing,” said Miss Pausch.

Serina Mansell, administrator of the venture, said because they all wanted to do babysitting and lived in different areas, they would be able to cover more ground and reach a wider group of people.

Miss Pausch explained, “I take care of the Belmont and Bayswater areas, Serina takes care of Cheltenham and Narrowneck, Zoe takes care of Hauraki and Takapuna, and Jade takes care of Devonport and Stanley Bay”.

“Whenever we get a job offer whoever lives closest takes the job.”

They rate their services at $12 per hour and $15 past 10pm.

Established after-school care and holiday programmes could be feeling the effects of such initiatives.

Hayley Gribbon is a team co-ordinator for Youthtown’s after-school and holiday programme, consisting of five centres within Auckland and six more across New Zealand.

“It is a great option for high-school students who don’t have time for proper jobs but it can affect our business as parents sometimes find babysitters an easier and cheaper option,” said Miss Gribbon.

By removing the hassle of filling out forms, doing drop-offs and pick-ups, parents can hire a babysitter with cheap rates to look after their children in the comfort of their own home.

All four students are aiming to study in different fields of expertise once they leave high school, but will continue their business in the meantime.