Is my child old enough to babysit in SC? Here are tips from experts

With summer in full swing you might be considering hiring a babysitter.

But how young is too young and how do you find one?

South Carolina law does not set an age limit for child care. Most states don’t. In Oregon and Washington it’s 10, 11 in New York and New Mexico, 13 in Tennessee and Georgia and 14 in Illinois.

The American Red Cross says most 11 year olds are able to care for younger children. The Red Cross offers training for caregivers that cover topics like choosing age-appropriate activities, basic child care, feeding, child behavior, diapering and picking up a child safely.

Whether a young person is ready really depends on their maturity and perhaps just good old common sense.

The Red Cross suggests thinking about how the sitter interacts with young siblings and if they have experience babysitting or volunteering in after-school programs.

Other considerations are whether they know how to handle emergencies and can handle activities of daily living, like hygiene, nutrition, and safety as well as manage a child’s emotions or moderating a fight between siblings.

The Red Cross even suggests whether the sitter can tidy the house.

What should you expect to pay?

Care.com says the average pay in Columbia is $16.52 an hour, $19.13 in Greenville. And if you’re looking for help while at the beach it’s $20.56 an hour in Myrtle Beach.

Care.com is one of several online businesses that can help find a qualified sitter. They do background checks and allow people to read what other parents say.

Sittercity has lists of local babysitters for date nights, last-minute care, or recurring needs.

Nanny Lane specializes in part-time sitters and nannies and offers payroll services and background screenings. ]

Bambino Sitters is an app that uses your existing Facebook friends to see who they trust.

Facebook can also be used to find sitters.

Also recommended is simply asking friends and coworkers for recommendations.

Care.com recommends thorough vetting, including background checks and two to three references as well as checking driving records and whether they are training in first aid and CPR.

In an interview, it’s important to ask how they manage discipline.

If they pass all this, invite them over for a paid, 1-hour “play date” while you are home, Care.com says.

And by all means, check their social media. No telling what you might see.

This story was originally published June 25, 2026 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Is my child old enough to babysit in SC? Here are tips from experts."