Searching for part time employment while in Madrid can be challenging, especially given the current crisis of the value of a Euro. However, you may be in luck if you specialize in working with children. Babysitting, especially during the summer season, is in high demand – particularly for young women.  Babysitters are typically young girls (and sometimes boys) ages 13-18, who watch after other people’s children for a few hours a week. A babysitter is usually a neighborhood child that people know and trust. The babysitting agreement between the parent(s) and the babysitter for the times/days and hourly rate are typically reached via verbal discussion. A babysitter can expect to make anywhere between €9 and €13 euros, varying on location. A babysitter is typically a beginner’s job, so if you’re just starting off in this profession then this will be great for you.

A babysitter is expected to provide basic childcare for the children of the house, often times just ensuring the safety of the children isn’t compromised while the parents are away. More complicated tasks such as cooking dinner and doing homework are not typically a part of the verbal contract.

If you find yourself a little more advanced than a babysitter, and you’re not a native of the country, try your hand at being an au pair. An au pair is an assistant from a foreign country working for a host family. An au pair lives on equal terms with the family, being treated like a family member as opposed to an employee. Single women (and sometimes men) ages 18-27 get the chance to study language and culture while living as part of the family. It’s the ultimate opportunity for a person that’s looking to make a living without having to dish it all back out on bills and expenses, such as room and board.

Consider yourself a good English speaker? Your chances of landing the job just increased. Often times, parents would like their children to be taught English from the au pair, simply by engaging in normal conversation with the children during their days watching them.

Au pairs work a certain amount of hours a week, plus potential evenings of babysitting, informally agreed upon with the parent(s). In exchange they are given room and board, participate in all family meals, and earn pocket money per week—the amount varying on location. On average, €200 a week is a sufficient amount. Websites such as Easy Au Pair and Great Au Pair can assist you in your quest.

If your experience in working with children is even more complex, you should consider a position as a nanny. A nanny may have an employment contract with benefits and/or sick/personal/vacation days built in. A nanny is typically full time (although part time nanny positions are available) and is usually paid by salary. An average weekly salary for a nanny is €587 as a live-in, and €634 if she/he lives on their own. While a nanny is not required to have a college degree, a college education and experience/training helps.

A nanny may be expected to clean, cook, do laundry, drop off & pick up the children to/from their activities, run errands, etc., on top of being responsible for the well-being of the children. Much like an au pair, a nanny becomes a part of the family, but unlike the au pair, the nanny is expected to raise the children into polite, caring, and well-behaved people.
The demand for childcare is huge in Madrid, so consider one of the three options as your next job while staying abroad.