Childminder profile on Websta: what to set up in Australia

What families look for when searching for a childminder

Parents and guardians in Australia search for childminders by location and by the age groups they care for. On Websta's childcare marketplace, people can browse providers by postcode or suburb, filter by the services offered, and look at photos of the space and any outdoor areas. Many searches start with a specific suburb or town - this means your profile's location detail matters more than being listed in every directory.

Families also post tasks describing what they need - for example, after-school care for a five-year-old or weekend babysitting - and childminders can make offers on those tasks. This works alongside your profile page, where people can see your details before they contact you.

The sections your Websta profile should include

Your profile page is built from sections you fill in. Start with your name, the suburb and postcode where you work, and a short description of what you do - for example, whether you offer full-time care, part-time care, or drop-in sessions. Then add the age groups you care for, any special focus (such as outdoor play or language exposure), and what hours you are available.

Add photos of your indoor space, outdoor area if you have one, and any play equipment or learning materials. Families want to see where their child will spend time. Include a photo of yourself if you are comfortable doing so - many childminders do.

List your services clearly: for example, full-time childcare, part-time care, before-school care, after-school care, weekend care, or school pickup and drop-off. Add any meals or snacks you provide, any educational approach you follow, and any additional activities such as music or sports. Write about your experience, training, or qualifications - these matter to parents.

How to set pricing and accept bookings

On Websta, you set your own prices for each service. You can offer hourly rates, daily rates, or weekly rates depending on how you work. The platform lets families book time slots on your calendar or request a quote if they need something custom. Payments from customers go to your own bank account through Stripe - Websta does not hold the money.

Before you publish prices, check what other childminders in your area charge. Prices vary widely across Australia depending on location, experience, and services offered - a suburb in a capital city will differ from a regional town. Some childminders offer discounts for multiple children or longer bookings; others charge the same rate across all customers.

Languages to publish your profile in

Publish your profile in English. If you speak another language and want to attract families from specific communities, you can add a second language - for example, Mandarin, Arabic, or Vietnamese - depending on who lives in your area. Websta supports multiple languages on one profile, so families can view it in their preferred language.

Many childminders in Australia work with multilingual families. If you offer language exposure - for example, singing or reading in another language - mention this on your profile, as some families specifically seek this out.

Regulations and permits in Australia

Childminding rules in Australia vary by state and territory. Before you advertise, check the requirements in your state. Some states require registration or approval if you care for more than a certain number of children; others have no threshold but expect you to meet safety and health standards.

Check with your state's education or child development authority about what you need to do. You may need Working With Children clearance (called a card or check in most states), first aid certification, and a police check. Insurance is not always mandatory but is strongly recommended.

If you run a business from home, check your local council's rules about home-based businesses and whether your lease or mortgage allows it. Some insurance policies exclude business use unless you tell the insurer. Sorting these out before you advertise saves problems later.

What to write in your first hour

Start with the essentials: your suburb, postcode, and the ages you care for. Add three to five sentences about what you do - this does not need to be polished, just clear. For example: 'I offer before-school and after-school care for children aged 5 to 12. I collect from local schools and provide healthy snacks. My home has a garden and a quiet space for homework.' Write like you are talking to a parent, not writing a brochure.

Then list your services and your hours. Add at least one photo - it can be a phone photo of your space, not a professional shoot. Families care more about seeing a real kitchen table or backyard than a perfect image.

Set your hourly or daily rate. You can refine this later. Add your contact details and enable online booking or quote requests. Once this is live, you can edit it as often as you want - the first version does not have to be final.

After your profile goes live

Once your profile is on Websta, you will appear in local searches when families in your area look for childminders. You can also respond to task posts from families looking for care. Check your messages regularly and reply within a few hours if you can.

Update your profile when your availability changes, when you add new services, or when you take new photos. Families often look at recently updated profiles, so a small edit now and then helps.