What Is A Babysitting Co-Op?
A babysitting co-op (short for "cooperative") is an arrangement where parents take turns caring for each other's children without the exchange of money.

What A Co-Op Isn't:

• A co-op is not a day care
• A co-op is not full-time child care
• A co-op is not one-sided

Who It's Good For:

• Parents without family nearby who can't pay the going rate for babysitters
• Parents who don't need consistent, full-time caregivers
• Parents dedicated to creating a stronger local community
• Parents who want their children to have playmates and more social interaction
• Parents who enjoy a busy household and like having additional kids around

Who It's Not Good For:

• Parents with full-time child-care needs
• Parents who prefer handpicking their own perfect sitter
• Parents who insist on up-to-date sitter training such as CPR and first aid
• Parents with older children who may not need babysitting in the near future
• Parents with a newborn who don't have time to care for other people's children

Babysitting co-ops can range from small, casual groups of close friends to large, organized groups of families who might not even know each other very well. The great thing about starting your own co-op is that you determine the size, formality, structure and rules that you feel will work best!

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