Find a babysitter in Ontario
Free matchmaking service between parents and babysitters
How to find a babysitter in Ontario
Whether you live in Toronto, Ottawa, Mississauga, Hamilton, Brampton, London, Markham, Vaughan, Kitchener, Windsor or anywhere else in Ontario, SOS-Nounou helps you find a reliable and available babysitter in your area.
The service is completely free for parents. You post an ad with your neighbourhood, your children's ages and your needs (evening, PD day, last minute, regular care), and babysitters registered in your area respond directly.
Babysitters on SOS-Nounou offer different types of services: home care, homework help, after school pickup, evening and weekend care, and more. The rate is agreed directly between the family and the babysitter.
How much do babysitters get paid in Ontario?
In 2026, average babysitter rates in Ontario's large cities range from about $18 to $23 an hour for one child. Nanny Lane, which looked at 1,151 babysitter listings in Ontario in September 2026, puts the provincial average at $21.65 an hour. Babysits finds lower figures, with $20.20 in Toronto and $18.67 in Ottawa. No rate is imposed, so agree on the amount with the babysitter before the first booking.
| City | Nanny Lane, Sept. 2026 | Babysits, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Toronto | $23.08 | $20.20 |
| Ottawa | $21.22 | $18.67 |
| Mississauga | $21.15 | $18.93 |
| Hamilton | $21.18 | $18.89 |
| Ontario average | $21.65 | not published |
Ontario's general minimum wage has been $17.95 an hour since October 1, 2026, and $16.90 for students under 18. It gives you a useful benchmark when you set a rate, especially for regular care. Evenings, weekends, statutory holidays and extra children usually cost more.
What changes the rate
- The number and age of the children. An infant needs more attention than a school age child.
- The hours. Evenings, overnights, weekends and statutory holidays cost more.
- Experience and training. A Red Cross Babysitting course and a valid first aid certificate justify a higher rate.
- Extra tasks. Meal preparation, homework help, driving children or light housekeeping add to the base rate.
Tax relief for babysitting costs
If you work or study, the federal child care expense deduction covers what you pay a babysitter, up to an annual limit per child. Ontario adds the CARE tax credit for families with an income of $150,000 or less. It can reach $6,000 per child under 7 and $3,750 per child aged 7 to 16. Ask the babysitter for a receipt with their name, address and social insurance number, and keep it. Payments to a relative under 18, such as an older sibling, do not count.
Babysitter, nanny or home child care: what is the difference?
A babysitter looks after your children occasionally, in your home, often in the evening or on a school holiday. It is frequently a student or a young adult from the neighbourhood. The arrangement stays flexible with no long term commitment.
A nanny provides regular care, sometimes full time, and also handles meals, routines and outings. A licensed home child care provider looks after up to 6 children under 13 in their own home, under the supervision of a licensed agency. These three options answer different needs.
How to choose
For an occasional need, a babysitter works well. For daily care during your working hours, a nanny, a licensed daycare or a home child care agency fits better. Many families combine both, with a licensed spot during the week and a babysitter for evenings and PD days. Our directory of licensed daycares in Ontario lists every centre and home child care agency by city.
Licensed daycares in Ontario
Our directory lists 6,305 licensed child care centres and home child care agencies across Ontario, from the Ministry of Education list. Each profile shows the address, the programs, the hours and the languages spoken.
Daycares in Toronto · Daycares in Ottawa · Daycares in Mississauga · Daycares in Brampton · Daycares in Hamilton · Daycares in London
See all licensed daycares in Ontario. Looking for work instead? Browse babysitting jobs in Ontario.
How to check that a babysitter is reliable
No platform can guarantee on your behalf that a person suits your family. SOS-Nounou makes the connection easier and verifies contact details, but the final decision is yours. Here is the process we recommend.
The trust score
Every profile shows a score out of 100 points. It adds up the presence of a photo, phone verification by SMS, email confirmation, a detailed description and stated availability. A high score does not replace a meeting, but it signals a real and serious profile. Profiles under 20 points do not appear publicly.
Before the first booking
Meet the person at your home with your children present. Ask for two family references and call them. Check the first aid training. For regular care, you can ask the babysitter for a police record check. The babysitter applies to the local police service, and the fee and wait time vary from one city to another. Start with a short trial of two or three hours before you book a full evening.
How does it work?
Enter your postal code
Enter your postal code at the top of this page to see the babysitters available around you.
Post an ad
Describe your needs: neighbourhood, schedule, children's ages. It's free!
Get responses
Babysitters in your area will contact you. You choose the one that fits.
Frequently asked questions about childcare
How do I find a babysitter near me in Ontario?
Enter your postal code at the top of this page to see the babysitters registered near you. You can also post a free ad with your neighbourhood, the ages of your children and your schedule. Babysitters in your area reply directly, with no agency and no fees.
How much does a babysitter cost in Ontario in 2026?
Average rates in Ontario's large cities range from about $18 to $23 an hour for one child in 2026, and Nanny Lane puts the provincial average at $21.65. Evenings, weekends and extra children cost more. The general minimum wage, $17.95 an hour since October 1, 2026, is a good benchmark for regular care.
What is the minimum age to babysit in Ontario?
No Ontario law sets a minimum age to babysit. The Canadian Red Cross Babysitting course is open to youth aged 11 to 15 and lasts 7 to 8 hours. In practice, families hire young teens for short daytime sessions and older babysitters for evenings or infants. On SOS-Nounou, registration opens at 14.
How do I know if a babysitter is reliable?
Read the full profile, the trust score and the services offered. Meet at your home before the first booking, ask for two family references and call them. Check whether the person has taken a Red Cross Babysitting course or first aid training. For regular care you can request a police record check.
Can I claim babysitting costs on my taxes in Ontario?
Yes. The federal child care expense deduction covers what you pay a babysitter, up to an annual limit per child. Ontario families with an income of $150,000 or less can also get the CARE tax credit, worth up to $6,000 per child under 7. You need a receipt with the babysitter's name and social insurance number.
What is the difference between a babysitter and a nanny?
A babysitter works occasionally, mostly in the evening, on weekends or during school holidays. A nanny provides regular care, often full time, with broader responsibilities such as meals, routines and outings. A nanny usually costs more and the employment relationship is more formal.
