Author Archives: Jasper Zellmer

Friday Afternoon Babysitting [Somerville]

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Tufts alum seeking an experienced sitter for 4 year old and 7 year old. 

  1. What: Pick the kids up from the bus, take them to the playground or library (both adjacent to the bus stop), bring them back to our house. 
  2. When: Friday afternoons, 3:30pm – 5:30pm, beginning ASAP. Potential to add Monday in late October.
  3. Where: Bus stop, park, library, and our house are all a 10 minute walk from Davis Square. No car required.
  4. Rate: We pay $25-28 an hour based on experience. 

Potential for additional evenings/weekends if we’re a good fit for each other. 

If you’re interested please email us at vidalkiddocare@gmail.com and tell us about your babysitting experience and your availability on Fridays (and Mondays!).

Babysitter Needed [Somerville]

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Looking for an afternoon babysitter for two children, ages 4 and 2.

Responsibilities: Keeping the kids safe, cared for, entertained, and providing a light snack (no meal prep required). Could stay in the house, use the backyard, or walk to a local playground. Help the kids clean up any messes and tidy up any toys/games that were used during that time.  

Location: We live in Winter Hill right near Magoun Square. 

When: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4-6pm.

Pay: $25-30/hr, depending on experience

Contact: If interested please email davis.whitneym@gmail.com (Whitney) with details of your experience

On-Call Family Assistant / Backup Nanny (Retainer + Premium Pay) [Somerville]

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Location: Somerville 02143 — near Lincoln Park | Argenziano School (4th & 7th grade)

I’m a solo dad (50% custody) looking for a reliable on-call helper for two girls (9 & 12).  My kids love dance (ballet and hip-hop), musical theater, cheerleading, graphic novels, making zines, and creating art. My oldest wants to be an architect when she grows up, and my youngest wants to be a ballet dancer and teacher. It’s tricky with only one parent in the house, especially when things happen like one kid gets sick, I need to travel for work, or both kids need to get to two different places at the same time. I am willing to pay a premium for a family assistant to help out when necessary, but only during the following times:

On-call availability windows (what you’re paid a monthly retainer to hold)

  • Every Monday from 2:35pm (school dismissal) through every Wednesday at 2:35pm (school dismissal)
  • Every other weekend block: every other Friday at 2:35 pm through the following Wednesday at 2:35 pm 

What “on-call” means here

  • You add these windows to your calendar and can confirm within a couple hours when I reach out
  • These are availability windows, not guaranteed shifts. Depending on our needs, I may call you once or several times a month
  • The retainer (paid at the end of each month) compensates you for being reliably reachable and ready to step in during these windows

Responsibilities:

  • Backup sick days when the kids need to stay home from school, as well as Monday school holidays and school vacation weeks
  • Occasional overnights (1–2 nights/month max) when I am away on business trips
  • Occasional grocery shopping or running errands

Pay & Retainer:

  • $150 monthly retainer: paid at the end of each month regardless of hours worked, in exchange for guaranteed availability on our schedule
  • $30–$35/hr for active hours (in addition to monthly retainer)
  • $150/night for overnights (+ hourly for evening time)

Ideal Candidate:

  • Nearby grad student, retiree, creative, or professional with a super flexible schedule that aligns with ours
  • Reliable, warm, and able to step in on short notice
  • Likes cooking and baking with kids (especially brownies!)
  • Interested and capable in engaging in creative art-making with children (think improv theater, 3D printing of their creations, helping with dance choreography, costume creation, and more!)

Bonus if you speak Spanish or French and want to practice with us!

If interested, contact David at david.r.scherer@gmail.com

Early Hiring at Boston Public Schools

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Interested in a career with Boston Public Schools post-grad and want to get involved now?

Apply to the Early Hiring Pool! (Opens October 2025)

The District-Wide Early Hiring Pool is a general application for teachers, which opens in mid-fall. By submitting your application to the district-wide posting, you have the opportunity to participate in a pre-screen phone interview and to become part of the district’s Priority Pool.

School leaders will have early access to the candidates in this pool, enabling them to reach out to interested candidates prior to the official district posting of jobs in early March. By applying to this position, you are demonstrating a commitment to BPS and its students, and your application materials will be available to all school leaders who have openings for the upcoming school year.

Interested?

Email recruitment@bostonpublicschools.org indicating your interest in the Early Hiring Pool, and we will reach out to you when it is officially open.

Learn more: https://careers.tufts.edu/blog/2025/09/17/early-hiring-at-boston-public-schools/

Caregiver/Companion Needed

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Description: My husband and I are looking for a caregiver/companion for our 19-year-old son, Adrien, who has Down syndrome and other medical conditions. He requires assistance in several areas, including walking, entertainment, and self-care. We are seeking a candidate who can support him on weekends — ideally for either a full day or a half day.

Adrien requires a lot of help with anything fine-motor related, so that includes help in the bathroom and with bathing/brushing teeth, and getting clothed. Especially interested in speaking with anyone who has experience and the right skills/demeanor!

Pay: $25-$30/hr 

Contact: If interested, please reach out to Jeremy Silver: 978-944-5310.

Seeking Occasional Babysitter [North Cambridge]

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Looking for an occasional weeknight or weekend evening babysitter for our two sons (ages 12 & 6). We live in North Cambridge, accessible by bus and Davis Sq. Red Line stop. 

We are hoping to find someone who can watch the boys while we go out in the evening. We pay $20/hour. Depending on the time in the evening, the 6 year old (who loves babysitters!) may be either in bed or ready for bed (pjs on, etc) by the time we’d have someone show up, and the 12 year old is self sufficient (can manage his homework, tv time, and ready for bed routine solo) (although he’s not quite ready to watch the 6 year old on his own!). 

Contact dena.stearns@gmail.com if interested

Babysitter Needed [Medford/Malden]

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Details: Babysitting/in home care for our 2.5 year old son who loves to play and spend time with others! He is very friendly, social, sweet, and has all developmental milestones. He is very verbal and independent for 2.5 yrs old making it easy to communicate his wants and needs. 

We live in a single family home with a fenced in yard, across the street from a lovely public park with walking paths and a beautiful pond. In the spring it is known for all the ducklings and goslings that wander around. Additionally, we live .3 miles from another park with a child’s playground, basketball court, tennis courts, and sports fields. We also live within walking distance from coffee shops, restaurants, Medford Target, and many more stores.

Our son loves spending time outside (weather permitting). In addition to playing with our son during this time, you will be responsible for monitoring him and giving him provided snack/meals. (We have all snack/lunches prepared for sitters so it is easier, you simply just have to give it to him when he is hungry and monitor him so he eats his food safely.)

Both my husband and I work remotely so will be upstairs the majority of the time. With the exception of occasionally leaving the house to run errands, to the gym, or work related trips. (we try our best to stay out of the way but are around to assist if needed. (e.g Babysitter needs a break/take a lunch, we can come down to provide relief) 

Job requirements: A car to travel to our home, previous babysitting experience (references upon request), familiarity with dogs (we have a family dog who is 11yrs old, VERY FRIENDLY, LOVES PEOPLE) and should be open to changing pull ups (can also teach this skill as we did with 2 other babysitters from Tufts last year but it should be noted we are about to potty train so this is not a requirement! CPR certification is a plus but not required! 

Hours: Flexibility if needed/lets chat! Primarily we are looking to provide 4-5 hours of childcare, primarily between the hours of 9-1 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. We would be open to sitters that are open the entire 9-5 slot on Tuesdays as well. Can be flexible around class schedules or practices if needed, just need notice to accommodate work schedules. 

Location: Our house is nestled in between the Medford/Malden town line (approx 10 min drive from campus) 

Pay: $21/hr

Contact: Marissa McDonough
email : mcdepaolo@gmail.com

Babysitter Needed For 3 Children [Cambridge]

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Description: We have 3 active and engaging kids (ages 6-10) who need help to coordinate afterschool activities, homework, or just unwinding at home or nearby park. The job entails picking them up from the bus stop (1 block from our home) and bringing them to our house. Our ideal is someone who can commit to all 5 days but if not, we have had success coordinating 2 babysitters who collectively fill the week so even if you have a few days please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Our ideal applicant is highly organized and can feel like extended family. We are looking to develop close relationships with our kids. A driver’s license and good driving record is a must. We prefer someone who has a car (gas money included in pay) but that is not a requirement, and is a non-smoker with a college degree or is in college or graduate school.

Location: North Cambridge

When: M-F 3:30-6:30p

Pay: $29-35 depending on experience

Contact: If interested, please send email to bwcarey@gmail.com with details on your experience

Occasional evening and/or weekend sitter [near Powderhouse/Packard]

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Seeking occasional evening and/or weekend sitters for our 3 boys (ages 7, 4, and 1.5) less than 0.25 miles from campus, near Powderhouse/Packard.

Duties include playing with and reading to kids, dinner (will provide), diapering for youngest, and bedtime. All kids are usually in bed for the night by 8! Weekend sitting may involve walking/scooting with kids to nearby parks. No driving/travel required. FYI we have 2 cats, no pet care involved.

When: 2-3 x per month, usually 5:30-9:30pm, potentially daytime weekend hours if desired. Specifically looking for October 7 and 17th evenings but also seeking sitters for future dates TBD.

Pay: $30/hr

Contact: shappell.eric@gmail.com with questions or to set up a call, 1+ reference preferred.