Finding A Babysitter - Information For Parents
BabySitMe believes it is imperative that you interview your babysitter before leaving them with your children.
Tips for Interviewing a Sitter
- Give preference to someone already working with children, or introduce a first time sitter gradually into the experience, beginning with short, simple situations.
- Start looking for a sitter early... don't wait until the last minute.
To be an informed consumer, parents have to ask a lot of questions - and the right ones.
Before you interview a babysitter, take these tips into consideration:
Asking the Right Questions
- Name:
- Phone:
- Citizenship status:
- Age: (they should ideally be at least 16-years-old. If the sitter is under 18, do your parents support your babysitting jobs?)
- Do you have children of your own? How old?
- What other childcare experience do you have?
- Do you still baby sit for your prior clients?
- What are the ages of other children you have watched?
- What do you like about babysitting and being around children?
- Ask how he or she would handle certain, possibly difficult, situations that may occur.
- What do you do in your spare time? Any hobbies, other jobs?
- Tell me about your school life. Sports? Activities? Grades? Do you like school?
- What kind of activities do you enjoy doing with children?
- Do you know CPR or other emergency procedures?
- What days and times are you available?
- Would you be comfortable getting acclimated to our family by babysitting a few times while we are at home?
- How much do you charge?
- Do you have any references?
- Do you have any questions for me?
Here are a list of questions that will help get you started.
Orientate Your Sitter
- Tour the home and point out such important items as fire extinguishers, phones, circuit breakers, and first aid box. Show the emergency escape plan. Explain how to exit locked doors or which areas of the house are off limits to children.
- Review rules of the home including those for meals, pets, TV and computer time, friends and play inside and outside the home.
- Allow time for the babysitter to ask you questions. Provide a list of key emergency phone numbers such as pediatrician, poison control, police (the non emergency number), family members that live nearby, any cell phone numbers or pagers for you or spouse
- Explain possible behavior problems and how you would want them handled.
- Introduce the babysitter to your child... allow them to get to know each other... observe.
- Explain how the major appliances work.
- Make sure they know how to dial a pager or cell number if applicable.
- Discuss rules which you expect to be followed
- Discuss any alarm systems and how they work. Don't forget to give code words in the event of an accidental alarm.
- Give a tour of the kitchen pointing out favorite foods, pet foods and any avoidables which might trigger allergies.
- Explain what medications should be given and where they are kept.
- Leave a list of activities that your children like (and where the items can be found) for the babysitter...this will help to keep your kids away from the TV all night.
- Remind sitter about drowning precautions such as bath tubs, toilets and sinks. If possible, tell the babysitter to skip giving a bath. Bathing is an extra hassle and could be a potential danger. Have the sitter help each child wipe their faces off with a lukewarm wash cloth to clean off any grime or food.
- Introduce sitter to neighbors or friends you can depend on to keep an eye on things while you are away.
- Make sure sitter knows address and phone number of your house in the event of a call to 111. Discuss clearly her responsibilities
- If there are any household chores which she will perform, demonstrate how you feel they should be done.
- Discuss what privileges you wish to extend to her such as foods she can eat, cars she can drive, phone calls she can make or not make.
