Hiring someone to care for your children is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a parent. Before you leave your kids with a babysitter, gather as much information as possible.
What Type of Experience Do You Have?
You want to hire a person who has worked with children in the role of a babysitter, coach, counselor, teacher, or some other capacity. Ask a candidate about specific experiences so you can understand the individual’s level of knowledge, approach to childcare and ability to deal with challenges.
Ideally, you’ll want to find a babysitter who has worked with kids around the same ages as yours and who understands the unique needs and challenges of different age groups. If you have an infant or toddler, make sure that the babysitter is familiar with proper feeding procedures and is comfortable with changing diapers or handling potty training. If you need a babysitter to care for two or more kids at the same time, look for a candidate who has experience taking care of multiple children.
How Do You Discipline Children?
People have a wide range of approaches to childrearing. Be clear about your philosophy and what types of discipline you consider appropriate and make sure that you and the babysitter are on the same page.
Have You Received First Aid and CPR Training?
Knowing that a babysitter can provide basic first aid and CPR for your child can give you peace of mind. Some procedures for infants and toddlers differ from the procedures that are used with older children and adults. If you have a very young child, make sure that the babysitter has received relevant training.
Do You Drive?
You might want a babysitter to drive a child to a friend’s house or pick up a child from school or after-school activities. In an emergency, a babysitter might need to drive a child to the hospital. During the interview, ask if the babysitter drives, has access to a car, and would be comfortable driving your children.
Do You Know How to Cook?
Many families expect a babysitter to prepare simple meals and snacks. If you want a babysitter to do some cooking, make that clear in the interview and ask each candidate about relevant experience. That will also give you an opportunity to discuss issues such as nutrition, allergies, dietary restrictions and how to deal with picky eaters.
Can You Provide References?
Before you hire a babysitter, request contact information for previous babysitting clients or other relevant employers and reach out to them. When you speak with references, ask open-ended questions about the applicant’s qualifications and ability to handle stressful situations. Ask references if they would recommend the candidate as a babysitter or if they have any concerns.
