How It Works for Teens
The Future Sitter’s Club is a mentorship and training program for teens who want to become confident, capable babysitters while reconnecting with their communities. Whether you're brand new or already have experience, we’ll guide you through every step.
Step 1: Apply
Fill out a quick online application and schedule a virtual interview. A parent or guardian should join if possible. We’ll also request a letter from your school showing good attendance and check in with a reference.
Step 2: Orientation
Once accepted, you’ll attend a welcome orientation, either in person or by video. You’ll meet your mentor, set up your profile, and learn what to expect as you begin the program.
Step 3: Get Certified
Before you start babysitting, you’ll need to complete a CPR and First Aid course that covers both children and adults. We’ll recommend trusted providers, or you can choose your own. Once certified, you’re ready to be matched with families.
Step 4: Learn and Grow
You’ll complete short, self-paced online classes that teach important skills in child development, safety, communication, and professionalism. Each level builds on the last, and optional in-person workshops are available for extra learning.
Step 5: Get Matched with Families
Once you're certified, we’ll begin matching you with local families. Each new placement begins with a virtual family interview followed by a short supervised working session to make sure it's a good fit. You'll log hours, check in with your mentor, and keep gaining experience.
Step 6: Ongoing Mentorship
You’ll be paired with a mentor who checks in regularly, offers feedback, helps you problem-solve, and tracks your progress. After each job, you’ll send a quick update so your mentor can support you and keep your profile up to date.
Step 7: Advance Levels
As you complete hours, training, and mentor check-ins, you’ll move through four levels. Each level brings more responsibility, higher pay guidance, and deeper skills. Teens with strong prior experience may skip the hands-on hours for Level 1 only, with two letters of recommendation from families they have worked with.
Step 8: Graduate and Give Back
At the final level, you’ll complete a capstone project, take on leadership roles, and get ready for professional caregiving jobs. Graduates receive a certificate, a portfolio, and the option to stay involved as mentors or volunteers.
Time Commitment
Most teens finish the program in about 5 to 7 months, putting in 5 to 10 hours per week. If you have a busier schedule, it might take closer to a year. If you're highly motivated, you might finish even faster.
Total Requirements:
Core Learning: 23 hours
Family Care Placements: 120 hours
Working Interviews: 8 hours (2 families per level, 1 hour each)
Total Time Commitment: 163 hours
The program is flexible, go-at-your-own-pace, and designed to support teens at all stages, from first-time sitters to advanced caregivers.
How It Works for Parents Seeking Care
The Future Sitter’s Club connects families with trained teen caregivers who are building real skills while bringing back a sense of community. Our goal is to offer safe, reliable care while helping teens grow into confident, thoughtful babysitters.
Who Can Participate
We serve families with children of all ages who are looking for occasional or part-time care. All our caregivers are teens ages 12 to 17 who are CPR and First Aid certified and progressing through a structured mentorship program.
Teens advance through four levels as they gain experience and complete training in topics like safety, child development, communication, and professionalism. Everyone starts at Level 1 to build a strong foundation.
What to Expect from Our Sitters
Our teens are trained to provide thoughtful and responsible care. As they grow through the program, they take on more complex caregiving tasks. Level 1 sitters are ideal for simple evening care or one-child households, while upper-level sitters may support routines, homework, or care for multiple kids. By graduation, teens are prepared for more advanced roles like supporting special needs and leading family debriefs.
Why Choose FSC
You’ll get access to trained, reliable caregivers while supporting local youth as they gain real-life experience. Each teen is paired with a mentor and receives feedback throughout the program. Families benefit from affordable care, ongoing support, and a caregiver who is growing alongside your child.
Program Overview
Monthly Membership Fee: $20 per household
This gives you access to our caregiver network and matching process. You book care directly with the teen based on availability and mutual fit.
How Matching Works
Step 1: Apply
Families submit a short application, complete a background check for each adult in the home, and schedule a home safety walkthrough. A short needs-based interview helps us understand your care preferences.
Step 2: Orientation
Once accepted, families receive a welcome packet with everything they need to get started. This includes our safety policies, communication expectations, and details about how to give feedback and request support.
Step 3: Matching Process
You’ll receive a shortlist of up to three matching teen caregivers. After video interviews with two teens of your choice, you’ll pick one for a one-hour trial session supervised by our staff. This helps ensure the match is a good fit before care begins.
Step 4: Ongoing Care
Once you confirm your match, the teen will begin providing care based on your shared schedule. Most families use care for date nights or occasional evening help. Teens submit availability each week or month to help with planning.
Program Oversight and Support
After Each Shift:
Families complete a short review form so we can track hours, collect feedback, and support your caregiver's growth.
If a Teen Levels Up:
We’ll let you know if your caregiver advances and update you on their new rate. This ensures pay reflects their training and experience.
Teen Base Rates:
Level 1: $13 per hour
Level 2: $14 per hour
Level 3: $16 per hour
Level 4: $18 per hour
If You Need a New Match:
Families can request a new caregiver at any time. If your needs change or your teen graduates, we’ll support the transition.
Giving Back and Helping Teens Grow
Families who have a positive experience are encouraged to write short letters of recommendation for their teen caregiver. These become part of their graduation portfolio and help teens pursue future opportunities.
We also occasionally send out optional surveys so you can help us improve the program. Your feedback helps shape a stronger, more connected community.
FAQ
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The Future Sitter’s Club is open to teens ages 13–17 who live in the Seattle and Shoreline/Lake Forest Park area. No prior babysitting experience is needed—just a willingness to learn, grow, and support local families.
Learning available with some hands on “mother’s helper” opportunities for pre teens 10-12 years old!
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The Future Sitter’s Club serves families and aspiring sitters across Seattle, Shoreline, and Lake Forest Park. While we’re based in Shoreline, our programming, mentorship, and family placements extend throughout all three communities to ensure broad access and support.
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Our program is designed to give teens a strong foundation in childcare through five core learning categories. Each topic combines practical skills with real-world knowledge to help participants grow into confident, capable sitters, nannies, or mannies.
Child Development
Teens will learn about the physical, emotional, and cognitive milestones of children—from infancy through school age—so they can better understand and support the kids they care for.Safety and Emergency Response
We teach essential safety skills, including infant and child CPR basics, first aid, safe sleep practices, and how to handle common emergencies with calm and confidence.Child Engagement and Activity Planning
Participants will explore creative ways to connect with children through play, crafts, reading, and structured activities—while learning how to tailor plans based on a child’s age and interests.Communication and Professionalism
Teens will gain tools for communicating clearly with parents, setting boundaries, maintaining schedules, and handling feedback—all while building professionalism and trust.Career Development
From writing a sitter résumé to marketing themselves and setting fair rates, teens will leave with the tools to take on babysitting as a serious first job—or even a future career in childcare. -
Local families benefit by receiving affordable, trustworthy childcare while giving teens the chance to gain real-world experience—creating a supportive, community-centered exchange that helps everyone thrive.
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To keep the Future Sitter’s Club sustainable and accessible, we charge modest monthly fees for both families and teens who participate in the program.
Families pay a $20 monthly membership fee, plus a one-time $20 background check fee for each adult in the household.
Teens pay a $30 monthly program fee and a one-time $30 startup fee, which unlocks access to our class platform on Thinkific. This startup fee must be paid before they can begin taking classes.
As a nonprofit, these fees help us cover essential costs like training materials, mentorship, program coordination, and ongoing support. They allow us to run a consistent and community-focused program without relying solely on grants or outside funding. Monthly payments begin on the first of the month following enrollment, giving everyone time to settle in before the first charge.
That said, we believe strongly in community support, and that works both ways. For those who volunteer their time or contribute meaningfully to the program, such as helping with events, outreach, or admin tasks, membership fees can be reduced or even waived. We want this opportunity to be accessible to everyone, and we are happy to work with you to make that happen.
These fees support a program full of value. Teens gain career-building education, mentorship from experienced professionals, and real-world experience. Families receive reliable, affordable childcare from trained sitters. It is a community investment that benefits everyone.
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Every teen in the program is paired with an experienced childcare professional who offers guidance, encouragement, and real-world insight.
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After completing foundational training, teens will have opportunities for hands-on experience in local homes—building confidence while putting their skills into practice. Teens will also have opportunities to participate in group fundraising and volunteering activities that often involve hands-on childcare with higher levels and mentors/staff involved to supervise.