Updated October 21, 2026
Where paying customers usually come from
Many paying parents look first for someone close by. Neighbours, people in the same apartment block, or parents you meet at the playground are a common starting point. Local workplaces and colleagues are another source - parents sometimes ask colleagues for recommendations when they need occasional cover. Schools and after-school clubs can be places to leave a card or notice, and teachers or school staff sometimes recommend local childminders they know personally.
Online search and social media matter, especially in areas with many young families. Parents search for childminder or babysitter options near their address, and they use local Facebook groups and community apps. A marketplace where people nearby find providers by service and place - for example the Websta marketplace at /marketplace/childcare - is another channel. Word of mouth is steady: one good placement with clear availability and a polite follow-up message often turns into repeat work or referrals.
- Neighbours and local parents
- Colleagues and workplace networks
- Schools, after-school activities and noticeboards
- Online search, local Facebook groups and marketplaces
- Word of mouth and referrals
How to set a first price and talk about money
To set a first price, consider the time you spend, travel, how many children you care for and any extra duties (meals, homework help, overnight). Check local adverts and ask a few parents in your area what they pay now to get a sense of the local market. Start with a level you can accept for the first few bookings and be ready to adjust once you have experience and feedback.
When you talk about money, be clear about the billing unit - per hour, per evening, or a fixed weekly arrangement - and about minimums and cancellation rules. Put terms in writing after the first agreement: session length, arrival and collection times, what happens if a child is ill, and your cancellation policy. If you use a platform that supports card payments, explain how payments are taken and when you expect to be paid. If you prefer cash or bank transfer, state that clearly.
- Factor time, travel and extra duties into your price
- Ask local parents and look at adverts to judge the market
- Agree billing unit and minimum hours up front
- Write a short terms note covering cancellations and illness
- Clarify payment method before the first job
What the first ten customers usually look like
Early customers are often people you already know or can reach quickly. Expect a mix of single bookings and a few repeat families. Typical early bookings include one-off evening babysits, cover for a parent returning to work part-time, or short weekday sessions for a new routine.
You may see a pattern where two or three families become regulars and the rest are occasional bookings. Treat the first bookings as both income and learning: use them to test your routine, confirmation messages, and how you manage sudden cancellations or late pickups.
- Friends, neighbours and colleagues
- One-off evening or weekend bookings
- Part-time weekday cover for working parents
- A few repeat families, several occasional clients
- Bookings that test your cancellation and safety procedures
What to sort out when taking money as an independent person in Greece
For tax and social security questions, check with the Independent Authority for Public Revenue - AADE - and with EFKA, the unified social security fund. Ask AADE whether you need to register as self-employed for childminding, what kind of receipts or invoices you must issue, whether VAT applies, and how to declare the income. Ask EFKA what contributions you must make as a self-employed person and how voluntary or mandatory coverage works for your situation.
Also check with a tax professional or local Citizens Service Centre (KEP) if you need clarification on bookkeeping, allowable expenses, and quarterly or annual filings. If you plan to accept card payments through a platform, confirm who receives the card payments and how payouts reach your bank account; on Websta card payments from customers are paid out to the provider’s own bank account through Stripe. For any question about local permits, contact your municipal office and ask whether any licence, safety inspection or local registration is required for in-home care in your area.
- Contact AADE - ask about registration, receipts/invoices and VAT
- Contact EFKA - ask about social security contributions
- Ask a tax adviser or visit KEP for bookkeeping and filing questions
- Check the municipality for any local permits or safety rules
- Confirm how card payments and bank payouts are handled
What tends to go wrong in the first months
Scheduling and cancellations are common problems. Parents sometimes book late or cancel without notice. Prevent this with clear booking confirmations, a cancellation policy and an agreed minimum notice period. Undercharging is another frequent issue: people set low rates to get bookings and later find it hard to raise prices. Keep records of hours and tasks so you can review the economics after a few months.
Other issues include unclear boundaries with parents about routines, discipline or unexpected tasks, and gaps in safety planning. Have emergency contacts, medical information and permission details written down. If demand grows unexpectedly, don’t accept more families than you can reliably serve while maintaining quality and rest time.
- Late cancellations and no-shows
- Undercharging and difficulty increasing prices later
- Boundary and expectation mismatches with parents
- Insufficient safety or emergency planning
- Overbooking and personal burnout
How a Websta profile fits into this
A Websta profile gives you a tidy page you can send to parents and share in messages or on social media. The profile can list services, prices, photos, a contact form and online booking, so parents see your availability and terms in one place. On the Websta marketplace people nearby can find providers by service and place, and individuals can post tasks for providers to make offers on - the marketplace path is /marketplace/childcare.
If you use Websta to take card payments, those payments are paid out to your own bank account through Stripe. You set the prices on your profile. Use the profile to present your written terms, cancellation policy and any practical notes for parents. A clear, consistent page reduces back-and-forth messages and helps you look professional while you build references and repeat clients.
- A single page to share with parents that lists services and booking details
- Online booking and contact form reduce message rounds
- Marketplace exposure for local searches and task postings
- Card payments paid out to your bank account through Stripe
- You set and update your own prices on the profile
Frequently asked questions
- Do I have to register with tax authorities to babysit in Greece?
- Check with AADE (Independent Authority for Public Revenue). Ask whether you must register as self-employed for childminding, what receipts or invoices to issue, and whether VAT applies. Also ask EFKA about social security responsibilities.
- How should I accept payments from parents?
- Agree the method before the first booking. Common options are cash, bank transfer or card. If you take card payments via a platform like Websta, card payments are paid out to your own bank account through Stripe. State your preferred method and payment timing in writing.
- How do I set my first price without undercharging?
- Consider time, travel, number of children and extra tasks. Check local adverts or ask parents what they currently pay. Start at a rate you can accept, keep records, and review after several bookings before changing prices.
- Do I need insurance for childminding work?
- Insurance needs vary. Contact insurers and ask what policies cover in-home childcare, liability and accidents. If in doubt, consult a broker or local professional association for recommendations.
- Can a Websta profile help me find local clients?
- A Websta profile lists services, prices, photos, a contact form and online booking. The marketplace helps people nearby find providers by service and place, and lets people post tasks for providers to make offers on. Use the profile as a clear page to send to potential clients.
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.