Updated October 21, 2026
Where paying customers actually come from
Local demand for childminding comes from several predictable places. Neighbours and families in your building or street are often the first customers because they already know or meet you in person. Parents at workplaces and colleagues who need occasional cover are another common source - employers sometimes allow internal recommendations. Schools and kindergarten communities produce leads when parents need before- or after-school care or cover for sick days.
Online search and local marketplaces matter more now than before. Parents search for nearby providers by service and place, and they also post one-off tasks or requests on local marketplaces. Word of mouth amplifies every booking you complete: clear communication and punctuality make parents recommend you to others.
- Neighbours and local parents
- Parents at workplaces and colleagues
- Schools and kindergarten communities
- Online searches and local marketplaces
- Word of mouth
How to set a first price and talk about money
Your first price should cover your time, travel, childcare-related expenses and any supplies you provide. Start by listing the costs you expect - transport, snacks, materials, insurance - and how much you want to earn for your time. If you are unsure, treat your first price as a test you can adjust after a few bookings.
When talking money with families, be clear and simple. Explain what the price includes, whether payments are per hour or per session, and your cancellation and late-payment rules. Ask for a preferred payment method early so there are no surprises on the day.
- List your costs and time before naming a price
- Decide whether to charge per hour, per session, or per child
- State what is included - snacks, activities, travel
- Communicate cancellation and late-payment terms clearly
What the first ten customers usually look like
Early customers tend to be people who already know you or who are in the same local network. Expect a mix of neighbours, parents from your or your children’s school, colleagues and friends of friends. Some will be one-off gigs for events or sick-child cover; others may become regulars if you fit their needs.
Online leads often start as short requests or single sessions. Respond quickly, provide a short profile or link to a page with services and photos, and ask a few questions about the child’s routine and any allergies. That information helps you decide whether a family is a good fit and how to price the job.
- Neighbours and local families
- School or kindergarten parents
- Workplace or colleague referrals
- One-off jobs from online requests that can become regular work
What to sort out when taking money as an independent person in Slovakia
You should check tax and social insurance rules for independent work in Slovakia and register as required. Ask the Financial Administration (Finančná správa) what records you must keep, whether to issue receipts or invoices, and when to declare your income. Check with Sociálna poisťovňa about social insurance obligations and with your health insurance provider about any health insurance consequences of self-employment.
If you need a trade licence or other registration, contact the local Trade Licensing Office or the Ministry responsible for business registration and ask what classification applies to childminding services. Also check whether your municipality has local safety or building rules that affect care provided at home. If you are unsure about childcare-specific rules or regulated forms of care, ask the relevant municipal office or ministry what permits or inspections are required.
- Ask Finančná správa how to declare income and what records to keep
- Ask Sociálna poisťovňa about social insurance contributions
- Ask your health insurer about insurance implications
- Contact the Trade Licensing Office or local municipality about required registrations and any local rules
What tends to go wrong in the first months
Common early problems are scheduling clashes, unclear expectations, late payments and underpricing your time. Without clear cancellation and payment terms you can lose hours or get paid late. New childminders sometimes take jobs that do not fit their capacity or comfort level; that leads to stress and unhappy families.
Other issues are insufficient documentation for tax, forgetting to set aside money for social insurance or taxes, and not having basic policies for behaviour, illness or emergencies. Prevent problems by setting simple written rules, saving a portion of received payments for tax and contributions, and starting with a manageable number of families.
- Scheduling conflicts and overbooking
- Unclear money and cancellation arrangements
- Taking unsuitable jobs because you need income
- Not setting aside money for taxes and social insurance
- Missing simple written policies for illness and emergencies
How a Websta profile fits into your childminding work
A Websta profile is a single page you can send to parents and share on social media. It shows your services, prices, photos and an online booking option so parents can see what you offer and request a booking. The marketplace part lets people nearby find you by service and place and post tasks for providers to make offers on.
Card payments from customers are paid out to your own bank account through Stripe and you set the prices you offer. A profile saves you time answering the same questions, provides a consistent place for your terms and photos, and helps you be found by people searching online. It does not guarantee bookings - earning takes work and time - but it makes your service easier for parents to evaluate and book.
- A shareable page with services, photos and contact form
- Online booking so parents can request sessions
- Payments routed to your bank account through Stripe
- Marketplace visibility to people searching nearby
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need to register as a business to work as a childminder in Slovakia?
- You should check with the Trade Licensing Office and Finančná správa. Ask whether your planned activity requires a trade licence or registration and what tax records you must keep.
- How should I ask for payment from parents?
- Be clear about price, payment method and timing before the first session. State whether you want payment at the end of each session or in advance, and explain your cancellation and late-payment policy.
- Can I use my apartment for childminding work?
- Local rules can differ. Ask your municipality about any building or safety requirements and check with your landlord or building association if there are restrictions on running a childcare activity at home.
- How do I keep track of taxes and social insurance?
- Ask Finančná správa what records to keep and how to report income, and ask Sociálna poisťovňa about your social insurance obligations. If needed, consult an accountant for help with regular reporting.
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.
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