Updated October 21, 2026
Where paying customers actually come from
Parents who pay for childminding services in Croatia are rarely found in one place only. Expect clients to come from several sources at once - neighbours and parents of your child or children you already know, people at your workplace or your partner's workplace, local primary schools and kindergartens where parents meet, and online channels such as local Facebook or WhatsApp parent groups and marketplace sites.
Word of mouth matters a lot in smaller towns and neighbourhoods, and online search matters in larger towns and across regions. People also post task requests on marketplaces when they need occasional help for a few hours - that is another route to find paying bookings.
- Neighbours and parents of familiar children
- Colleagues and parents met through work
- Local school and kindergarten parent networks
- Online parent groups and search engine results
- Local marketplace/task posts
How to set a first price and talk about money
Start by calculating what you need to cover - your time on duty, travel, extra responsibilities like meal prep, basic supplies, and the fact that you must report and pay taxes or contributions. Compare that to what similar local providers charge by asking parents nearby or looking at public listings. Your first price can be a simple hourly or per-shift figure you write down and share.
When you discuss money, be direct and short. Give a written price list for common options - hourly, half-day, full day, and any extras such as late pick-up. Say what you include and what parents must provide. If you ask for a deposit or payment in advance, explain the cancellation window and whether the deposit is refundable. If you accept card payments, mention that clearly.
- Calculate costs and time before choosing a rate
- Offer clear options - hourly, half-day, full-day, extras
- Put prices in writing and explain cancellation terms
- State accepted payment methods - cash, transfer, card
What the first ten customers usually look like
The first ten paying customers are often a mix of people you already know and a few strangers found online. Expect close contacts - family, neighbours, friends of friends - to book first because trust is easier to build. Then a few bookings will come from local parent groups, a posted ad, or a marketplace task request. It is normal for repeat bookings to form slowly rather than immediately.
Treat these early customers as learning opportunities. Ask for feedback, confirm expectations, and keep records of dates, hours and any special needs. A few early positive interactions help you get referred to more families later.
- Friends and family who already trust you
- Neighbours and parents at your child’s school
- Local group replies to ads or posts
- Occasional marketplace task request replies
What to sort out when you take money as an independent person in Croatia
Do not rely on memory for legal and tax steps. Check with the Croatian Tax Administration - Porezna uprava - about how to report income and which business status fits you best. Ask them whether you should register as a sole trader, an obrt, or use occasional self-employment rules, and how to handle VAT if that could apply to your situation.
Contact Hrvatski zavod za zdravstveno osiguranje - HZZO - and the Croatian pension authority to learn when social and health contributions apply. For work involving children, ask Ministarstvo unutarnjih poslova - MUP - about obtaining a criminal record extract for working with minors and check with your local social services or municipal office if any local permits or registration are recommended. For insurance questions - liability and accident cover - talk to an insurance provider and ask what policies are appropriate for childminders.
- Ask Porezna uprava how to declare childminding income and which registration you need
- Check HZZO and pension authority rules on contributions
- Request a criminal record extract from MUP if parents ask
- Ask an insurer about public liability and accident cover
What tends to go wrong in the first months
Common practical problems include double bookings, underpricing, unclear cancellation rules, and mismatched expectations about duties. You might accept tasks that extend beyond agreed hours or responsibilities without adjusting pay. Accounting issues also appear - missing receipts, not tracking hours, or forgetting to report income.
Mitigate these by using a simple booking calendar, a written contract or terms you share before work starts, a short invoice or receipt system, and a routine for recording income. Keep a clear limit on the number of regular bookings you accept while you learn how long each job takes.
- Double bookings - maintain an up-to-date calendar
- Undercharging - review costs and raise prices slowly
- Unclear scope - make duties and hours explicit in writing
- Accounting mistakes - keep receipts and simple records
How a Websta profile fits into this work
A Websta profile can act as a single, shareable page with your services, prices, photos, a contact form and online booking. Use it as the page you send to interested parents so they see consistent information instead of repeating details in messages. People nearby can also find providers through the marketplace and post tasks there.
On Websta, card payments from customers are paid out to your own bank account through Stripe, and you set the prices. The profile is a tool - it does not guarantee clients - but it makes it easier to present services, collect bookings and accept electronic payments that go directly to your account.
- One page to send to parents with services and prices
- Online booking keeps your calendar and requests in one place
- Card payments are paid out to your own bank account through Stripe
- You set the prices and describe what you offer
A short starting checklist
Before your first paid booking, confirm these items so you begin with clear rules and lower risk.
Use the checklist to stay practical and focused while you build experience and referrals.
- Decide and write down your basic price list and cancellation terms
- Set up a simple calendar and accept at most a few recurring bookings to start
- Ask Porezna uprava how to register and report your income
- Check HZZO and pension rules and consider liability insurance
- Create a Websta profile with services, prices and booking info
- Request a criminal record extract from MUP if parents ask
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need to register as self-employed to babysit in Croatia?
- Rules depend on how much and how regularly you work. Ask Porezna uprava whether your planned income requires registration as a sole trader, obrt or other form and how to report it.
- How should I ask parents to pay?
- State accepted methods clearly - cash, bank transfer or card via a platform. If you use Websta, card payments are paid out to your own bank account through Stripe. Mention deposits or cancellation terms in writing.
- Do parents expect a criminal record check?
- Many parents ask for a criminal record extract. You can get information about this from Ministarstvo unutarnjih poslova - MUP - and offer to provide the document if asked.
- How many hours can I do alongside a full-time job?
- That depends on your personal availability and energy. Start small, track how long each booking takes, and avoid overcommitting until you have routines and clear boundaries.
- Will a Websta profile get me clients quickly?
- A profile makes it easier for parents to find and book you and for you to present consistent information. It does not guarantee clients - you will still need to promote your page, ask for referrals and respond reliably to requests.
About the numbers
Counts in this guide were read from the Websta catalogue when the text was written and are refreshed above from the live catalogue. Part of the catalogue was built from the public business register and is marked as such on each profile.