What is a babysitter?

Parents hire babysitters to be responsible for their children’s well  being when parents are not there to take care of their children.

Just as potential employees are carefully interviewed, babysitting candidates should be carefully screened before being hired.

How should I choose a babysitter?

You should first ask trusted friends and neighbors to find out about  babysitters that have a good reputation. Asking their children about how  they like the babysitter will probably also produce an honest opinion.

Always interview the babysitting candidate prior to hiring her.

• Ask the babysitter for a few references before you interview her, and check them.

• Ask the age of the babysitter since some young women who are 11 and 12 look older.

• Discuss the babysitter’s qualifications. Ask how long she has been babysitting and how old the children were.

• Find out whether the babysitter is certified in CPR and first aid.

• Have your children meet the babysitter to see how they interact.

• Ask the candidate what she would do in a hypothetical emergency situation.

How can I prepare my babysitter to care for my child?

Ask the babysitter to arrive about 25 minutes early so that you can speak with her and let your children warm up to her.

Explain the house rules to the sitter.

Give the babysitter a tour of your house. Make sure she knows how to lock all of the windows and doors.

Tell the sitter how your children should be disciplined.

Discuss food preparation and times for meals and snacks.

In case of an emergency, make sure the babysitter knows where the nearest trusted neighbor lives.

Make sure the sitter knows how to answer the phone or door. Please refer to our stranger safety page.

Tell the babysitter to make sure that all of the windows and doors are locked at all times.

Leave at least one light on outside.

Make sure this checklist is complete and placed next to the phone:

• Address and phone number of your home

• Address and phone number where you will be

• Emergency neighbor contact

• Allergies

• Special routines or instructions

• Children’s physician and phone number

• Medications

• Police telephone number

• Fire department telephone number

• Poison control center telephone number

• Directions to the location of your home

There are also several things that your babysitter expects of you:

• Trust

• Advance notice

• Preparation

• Healthy children

• Payment

What should I do after returning home?

Make sure the babysitter has transportation home. Offer to take her home.

Pay the babysitter.

Ask the babysitter if anything unusual happened.

Talk to your children about what they did while you were gone. Make sure nothing happened that made them feel uncomfortable.