Updated October 21, 2026
Where Zagreb parents look for childminders
Parents searching for childminders in Zagreb use a mix of methods. Online search is common - they type into Google, look at local directories and marketplace platforms. Word of mouth through playgroups, schools and neighbourhood networks still brings steady enquiries. Workplace recommendations matter too: parents talk about childminders they trust with colleagues and friends in their own industry or social circle.
Websta has a marketplace for childcare services in Zagreb where customers can find providers by location and service type, and also post specific tasks they need help with. A Websta profile gives you a page that looks professional - with your services listed, prices visible, photos, a contact form and online booking - which you can share directly with people who ask. When you get a booking through Websta, payments go straight to your own bank account via Stripe, which the customer pays with a card.
Setting your first prices in Zagreb
Your price depends on what you are offering - regular childminding by the hour, full days, overnight care, or one-off bookings. It also depends on what other childminders in Zagreb charge, the neighbourhood you work in, and your experience. Start by checking what similar providers list in Zagreb: look at profiles on Websta and other platforms, ask other childminders informally, and consider what your own costs are - travel, meals, supplies, insurance.
When talking about money with parents, be clear and direct. State your hourly rate, daily rate, or weekly rate depending on what you offer. Mention what is and is not included - meals, activities, supplies. Be honest about any surcharges for evening or weekend hours if you have them. Parents expect straightforward pricing, not hidden extras. If you are unsure what is reasonable, start with a rate you can defend based on local practice and your own costs, and adjust after your first months of experience.
What taxes and paperwork look like for childminders in Croatia
As a self-employed childminder in Zagreb, you are responsible for registering with the tax authorities and paying income tax and social contributions on what you earn. The details vary depending on whether you register as a sole trader, work through a business entity, or have another arrangement. You must check with the Croatian Tax Administration (Porezna uprava) for the current rules on registration, invoicing, and tax rates that apply to your situation.
Keep records of your earnings and expenses. When you receive payments through Websta via Stripe to your own bank account, those transactions will appear on your statement. You will need documentation for tax purposes. Consider speaking with an accountant familiar with self-employed work in Zagreb to understand your obligations and what deductions you might claim. It is not complicated, but it does need to be done properly from the start to avoid problems later.
Your first ten customers and what they usually want
Early customers often come from word of mouth or because they searched online and found your profile. They are usually parents in a hurry - they need someone for regular hours while they work, or they need emergency childminding at short notice. Some are trying you out for the first time and may book just one or two sessions to see if you are a good fit. Others are looking for a long-term regular arrangement.
Most will ask simple questions: what hours you work, what you charge, whether you can start soon, and what you do with the children. A few will ask about your experience, whether you have qualifications, and how you handle discipline or routines. Respond quickly and clearly. Early customers set the tone for your business - if you are reliable and the parents feel their children are safe and happy, they will come back and recommend you to others.
What tends to go wrong in the first months
New childminders often underestimate how much time goes into finding customers. You might have your profile up and expect work to arrive, but building a client base takes weeks or months. You need to tell people you exist - share your details with parents, parents' groups, schools, word of mouth. Some customers will cancel or reschedule, which is normal and frustrating. A few will be difficult to work with or have unclear expectations about what you offer.
Pricing mistakes are common. Some childminders start too low because they want clients quickly, then struggle to raise rates later. Others price high and get few bookings. The solution is to start with a reasonable rate based on what you find in your market, listen to feedback, and adjust gradually. Payment issues can happen too - always agree on how and when you will be paid before you start. Using Websta for bookings and Stripe for payments removes some of this friction because everything is recorded and the customer pays upfront by card.
How a Websta profile helps you earn
A Websta profile in Zagreb serves as a professional presence that works for you. Parents who search online find you, see what you offer and your prices, read about your services, and can book or contact you directly. You control what information appears - your services, rates, photos, availability. The profile is a page you can share with anyone - a link in a message, in an email, or on social media.
When someone books through Websta and pays by card, the money goes to your own bank account through Stripe. You keep all the earnings and handle your taxes separately. Having this setup means you look professional, payments are simple and recorded, and you have one less thing to worry about. You still need to market yourself and tell people you exist, but the profile does the work of presenting you clearly once someone finds you.
What earning as a childminder actually takes
Earning money as a childminder in Zagreb is genuine work. You spend your days looking after children - it is physically and mentally demanding. Building a client base from scratch takes time, often months before you have regular bookings that feel reliable. Some weeks you will have plenty of work, other weeks fewer bookings. If you are doing this alongside another job, you will be managing two schedules.
That said, many people in Zagreb build steady income from childminding work. Parents need trustworthy carers, and if you deliver good service, word spreads. The work is flexible - you can often choose your hours and take on as much or as little as you want. With a Websta profile and clear pricing, you have a platform to reach customers and handle payments professionally. But success is not automatic. It requires effort, patience, and genuine skill at working with children and parents.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I find my first customers as a childminder in Zagreb?
- Tell people you know - neighbours, friends, parents at schools or playgroups. Create a profile on Websta and other platforms so you appear in online search. Ask parents or schools to recommend you. Most childminders get their first customers through word of mouth, but a visible online presence helps parents find you when they search.
- What should I charge per hour as a childminder in Zagreb?
- Check what other childminders in Zagreb list on Websta and similar platforms to see the typical range. Your rate depends on your experience, what you offer, and your costs. Start with a rate you can justify based on local practice, and adjust after you have some customers and feedback. Be clear about what is included in your price.
- How do taxes work if I earn money as a childminder in Croatia?
- You must register as self-employed and pay income tax and social contributions on your earnings. Check with the Croatian Tax Administration (Porezna uprava) for current registration and tax rules that apply to you. Keep records of what you earn and spend. An accountant can help you understand your obligations.
- How long before I make steady money as a childminder?
- Building a client base takes time - usually weeks or months before you have regular bookings. This is not a quick way to earn. You need to find customers, prove yourself reliable, and build word-of-mouth reputation. It gets easier as you go, but expect slow growth at first.
- How does Websta help me earn money as a childminder?
- Websta gives you a profile that looks professional, with your services and prices visible. Parents in Zagreb can find you through the marketplace when they search for childcare. You can share your profile link directly. When customers book and pay by card, the money goes to your own bank account via Stripe. You keep all earnings and handle your own taxes.
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.