Skylar is absolutely amazing! My kids adore her! She is always upbeat and so much fun to be around. She would always do fun activities with the kids, and they were always laughing and having so much fun with her. She even gave my daughter swimming lessons. We all love Skylar and will continue to work with her whenever possible. I highly recommend hiring Skylar! - Jessica

Paige W.

Paige is very kind and knowledgeable in caring for children. Her skills, experience and professionalism in dealing with all types of children make her a great candidate to nanny for any home. Paige is an active caretaker with activities that focus on learning and teamwork. We truly trust Paige with our child and would recommend her to anyone. - Kelly

Alayah W.

Alayah is one of the most loving, reliable, and trustworthy people I have ever met! She will treat your babies like her own, and do everything she can to make sure they’re happy, healthy, and safe! Upon our first meeting, I could tell teaching/caring for children is a true passion of hers. I cannot recommend Alayah enough! - Ally

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What’s the average cost of a babysitter in Iowa?

The average cost of a babysitter in Iowa is $13.24 per hour. The cost of a babysitter is dependent on the babysitter’s experience, qualifications and location.

Learn more about babysitter costs

How to Find a Babysitter in Iowa

Nanny Lane is a child care website meant to help you find a babysitter in your area. Our child care services include background checks, PLUS, and payroll.

Understand Babysitter Responsibilities in Iowa

Before beginning the search for a babysitter, it’s important to understand what you’re looking for and if a babysitter is the right choice for your child care needs. There are lots of benefits to hiring a babysitter such as getting the flexibility of having some more time for yourself or with your partner. When hiring a babysitter, first, you should explore the differences between a nanny and a babysitter. If you’re looking for occasional child care, babysitters are the right choice for you, but if you’re looking for more frequent care, a nanny may be better for your needs.

From there, you can think about what you expect your babysitter to handle so that you can create a profile for nannies to reach out to you. The boundaries for babysitters’ duties can vary from family to family. However, in general, a babysitter is responsible for making sure your kids’ needs are met, including things like ensuring they have opportunities to play and be active. When tasks go beyond child care, for example to housekeeping, laundry, or meal preparation, it’s good practice to communicate these expectations with your babysitter before hiring them. Along with the different duties that you ask for, experience and location can impact how much you pay your babysitter.

Iowa Babysitter Interviews

Once you start connecting with prospective babysitters, the next step is to conduct an interview. To make things a bit easier, here’s a list of some babysitter interview questions to consider asking:

Do you have experience being a babysitter?
What sort of household tasks are you open and comfortable doing?
Do you have any references?
Are you trained in First Aid or CPR in Iowa?
Do you have a Iowa driver’s license? Do you own a car?
How do you handle tantrums? Can you share an experience disciplining children?

During the hiring process, it’s essential to ask for references and by asking their references questions you gain a better understanding of they will fit in your family. As you get closer to hiring a nanny, be sure to run a background check to ensure your kids are in good hands. When evaluating a babysitter that you’re considering hiring, make sure you’re setting the foundation for a good relationship with your babysitter. You can do this by being clear about your expectations around babysitter responsibilities and compensation, and of course, by being friendly and welcoming!

And of course, as you learn how to hire a babysitter, Nanny Lane's nanny services are here to help you along the way.