Babysitting Requests: How to Request, Accept & Track Extra Childcare

Date night, a doctor's appointment, a work dinner that runs late — sometimes you need your au pair outside their regular schedule. AuPairSync's babysitting request system keeps this organised: you create a request with the date, time, children involved, and optional compensation, your au pair reviews it, and everyone knows where they stand.

What You'll Learn

In this guide, you'll see how to:

1. Create a babysitting request (host parent)
2. Review and accept or decline requests (au pair)
3. Track pending, upcoming, and completed requests
4. Handle compensation for extra hours

Where to Find Babysitting

Babysitting requests live in two places:

• Dashboard — A "Babysitting Requests" section appears whenever there's a pending request, with Accept and Decline buttons right there.
• Tasks Tab → Babysitting — The full list of all requests (pending, upcoming, declined, and completed).

Pending requests surface directly on the au pair's dashboard so they can respond without navigating anywhere else.

Step 1: Creating a Request (Host Parent)

When you need extra childcare, open Tasks → Babysitting and tap the + button in the top right.

The request form walks you through four things:

Date and Time

Pick the date from the calendar, then set a start and end time. Times are in 5-minute intervals, so you can be precise — "Saturday, 18:45 to 21:45" is much clearer than "Saturday evening."

Children

Select which children need care. Each child in your family profile appears with their avatar — tap to select. This is especially helpful when you have multiple children and only need care for some of them.

Details

Add a description of what you need. Be specific: "We're going to a dinner. Please give the kids their dinner (leftovers in the fridge), bath time at 19:30, and bedtime at 20:00" gives your au pair everything they need to prepare.

Compensation (Optional)

Toggle on compensation if you'd like to offer extra pay for the babysitting. Enter the amount in euros. This is visible on the request card so expectations are clear from the start.

Tip: Even if compensation isn't required in your arrangement, offering it for evening or weekend babysitting goes a long way. It shows respect for your au pair's personal time.

Once you tap Send Request, your au pair receives a notification immediately.

Step 2: Reviewing a Request (Au Pair)

When a request comes in, au pairs see it in two places:

On the Dashboard

The Babysitting Requests section shows the request card with all the details — who requested it, which children, date and time, description, and compensation. Two buttons appear at the bottom:

• Accept (blue) — confirm you're available
• Decline (red) — let the family know you can't make it

In the Babysitting List

Tap into Tasks → Babysitting to see the full list, organised into sections:

• Pending Requests — waiting for your response
• Upcoming — accepted requests coming up
• Declined — requests you've turned down
• Completed — past babysitting sessions

Step 3: What Happens After

Accepted Requests

Once accepted, the request moves to the Upcoming section. Both the parent and au pair can see the confirmed date and time. The request card shows all details at a glance — date, time, children, description, and compensation.

Declined Requests

If the au pair declines, the request moves to the Declined section. The parent can then make other arrangements or create a new request for a different time.

Key point: Respond to requests promptly. The family may need to arrange alternative childcare if you're unavailable, and last-minute notice makes that much harder.

Managing Requests

Editing a Request

Parents can edit pending requests — change the date, time, children, description, or compensation. If you make significant changes to an accepted request, your au pair will need to reapprove it.

Deleting a Request

Parents can delete requests by tapping the options menu. Use this for duplicate or cancelled plans.

Compensation Tracking

When compensation is offered, the amount appears on the request card with a money bag icon. This keeps financial expectations transparent and avoids awkward conversations later.

Best Practices

• Request early — Give your au pair as much notice as possible. "Can you babysit this Saturday?" on Wednesday is much better than on Saturday morning.
• Be specific with details — Include bedtime routines, meal plans, and any special instructions. Your au pair will feel more confident and the kids will have a better time.
• Select the right children — If only one child needs care (the other is at a sleepover, for example), select just that child so your au pair knows exactly who they're responsible for.
• Discuss compensation upfront — Whether it's part of your standing agreement or case-by-case, clarity prevents misunderstandings.
• Respect "no" — If your au pair declines, don't pressure them. They may have plans, be tired from the week, or simply need personal time. A good relationship means respecting boundaries.

Related Guides

• Coordinating Schedules with the Shared Calendar
• Time Off Requests

Learn More

• Au Pair vs. Babysitter vs. Nanny — Understanding the differences between childcare options
• The Ultimate Au Pair Schedule — Plan working hours, days off, and routines

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Need a babysitter for date night? Download AuPairSync and handle babysitting requests, scheduling, and compensation — all in one place.