“The Baby-sitters Club” Grows an Idea in an Entrepreneurship Student

Inspired by a television series, a real-life business idea is taking shape for an Oakland Schools Technical Campus Northeast student.

After watching The Baby-sitters Club, Adeline Jones launched her own childcare business at age 15, turning inspiration into entrepreneurship through Precious Care, an online booking platform she helped create with her father.

Jones began by building the website, Precious Care , which connects families with local, responsible, and reliable babysitters, pet sitters, and mother’s helpers throughout Southeast Michigan. She expanded the business through social media, particularly local Facebook moms groups, where word-of-mouth referrals helped the service grow. Today, Jones coordinates between 15 and 20 sitters, matching parents in need with available helpers.

“It’s been a great fit for her,” said her mother, Karalin Jones.

Like many young entrepreneurs, Jones has faced challenges along the way. At times, sitters are unavailable, or families fail to follow through with payment. When coverage gaps arise, Jones often steps in herself to ensure families receive the support they need.

The Rochester Stoney Creek High School junior said the most rewarding aspects of the work are “creating new relationships and meeting new people, and working with kids.”

Her experience has also opened doors beyond her local community. Through nannying opportunities, Jones has traveled to Florida and plans to travel to South Carolina later this year. “We also get to go do things, we go to the library, shopping, we’ll go to the pool, that’s always nice,” she said.

Jones is enrolled in the Entrepreneurship and Advanced Marketing program at OSTC Northeast and continues to explore her long-term career goals. Currently, she nannies for 20-month-old twins and hopes to build a future working with children.

“If everything works out the way I’d like,” Jones said, “I’ll be a full-time nanny.”