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WHAT began as a simple weekend side gig in Kota Kinabalu has unexpectedly taken one local babysitter all the way to Yunnan, China – marking a rare milestone for a homegrown childcare service from Sabah.

A member of Babysitter Kota Kinabalu, a small but steadily growing babysitting team founded in October 2025, was recently flown to Yunnan for a week-long childcare assignment, with the client covering flights, accommodation, meals and daily expenses on top of the babysitting fee.

The assignment reflected the growing trust placed in flexible childcare providers, particularly among travelling families seeking dependable support while overseas.

Founder Dania Jeddy described the experience as both rewarding and emotional, saying it highlighted how far the service had grown from its modest beginnings.

“I felt genuinely happy and proud. It’s incredible that through this platform, my babysitters get to experience life on the other side of the world.

“I was also deeply moved knowing the clients could fully enjoy their holiday, confident that their children were in good hands,” she told Daily Express, recently.

Dania first started Babysitter Kota Kinabalu on her own after being inspired by her experiences caring for younger cousins while she was living in Sibu.

At the beginning, babysitting was simply a way to earn extra income during weekends.

However, after sharing her services through social media, she began attracting not only parents seeking childcare assistance, but also students and young women interested in joining the team.

“Over time, I started receiving messages from students who wanted to join. I decided to bring them on board because I understand how difficult finances can be for students.

“My goal has always been to help them earn an income while steadily growing the team so we can support more families,” she said.

What started as an informal side hustle has since evolved into an organised babysitting network with 17 members, including diploma holders, teachers and even a Master’s student.

Despite the growing demand, Dania admitted the journey has not been without challenges.

Because the service initially operated through social media platforms, many parents were understandably cautious about safety, scams and the credibility of strangers caring for their children.

To build confidence, Dania focused heavily on transparency and trust-building.

“To ease parents’ concerns, I focused on building trust through personal content – sharing moments with children, snippets of my family life and my background.

“It was about showing that I’m genuine and trustworthy,” she explained.

She added that she is currently working towards building a stronger operational foundation for the business, including registering permits and licences, while also planning to eventually establish a physical childcare centre in Kota Kinabalu.

Apart from parental concerns, operational difficulties also arise from time to time.

These include babysitters falling ill, sudden cancellations and managing children with behavioural or emotional difficulties.

Dania said clear communication, early planning and patience are crucial in handling such situations professionally.

To maintain standards, she said every babysitter joining the team is carefully screened.

“I only accept candidates from local universities who have experience handling children. This ensures professionalism, trust and open communication between clients and babysitters,” she said.

Currently, babysitters operate under a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) that outlines clear responsibilities, safety measures and behavioural guidelines.

The team also plans to introduce First Aid training in the future to further strengthen professionalism and child safety.

“Safety and transparency are always our top priorities. All babysitters provide hourly updates to parents so they always know what’s happening, and that is part of our SOP,” she added.

The service offers both indoor and outdoor childcare, with rates beginning at RM20 per hour.

A 12-hour session is priced at RM200, while 24-hour care costs RM300.

Specialised services such as event babysitting, hospital babysitting and travel nanny assignments are charged at RM300 per day, with clients covering transportation, accommodation and meals where necessary.

According to Dania, babysitters can earn up to RM1,500 monthly depending on their availability and the number of assignments they accept.

“Babysitters can earn up to RM1,500 a month, depending on how often they take up jobs. The more available they are, the more they can earn,” she said.

Most of the team’s clients are working parents who require reliable childcare while attending work, events or travelling outstation.

Demand often increases significantly during festive seasons such as Chinese New Year and Hari Raya, although bookings remain consistently strong during weekends throughout the year.

While several babysitting platforms already exist in Kota Kinabalu, Dania believes her team has established its own niche by offering flexible, locally driven childcare services tailored specifically for Sabah families. Looking ahead, she hopes to gradually expand operations beyond Sabah, particularly in the growing travel nanny segment following the successful Yunnan assignment.

“We also have enquiries from Bintulu, Sarawak, where a client will be outstation and needs someone to look after the children,” she said.

Dania also encouraged more women looking for flexible side income opportunities to consider childcare work, especially those who genuinely enjoy being around children.

“What I find meaningful is that it’s not just about earning – it’s also about providing a service that truly helps parents feel at ease.

“With the right attitude, responsibility and consistency, it can become rewarding side income while also making a positive impact on families,” she said.

Ultimately, Dania said Babysitter Kota Kinabalu was built on the core values of trust, reliability and genuine care, with the aim of supporting families by providing dependable childcare services and peace of mind – even if only for a few hours.