Five Steps to Choose a Good Babysitter

With all the stories on the news about abuse from babysitters, many parents are reluctant to leave their children in the care of someone else – particularly if that person has never had children of their own. Here are five steps to take to ensure that you find a trustworthy babysitter with whom both you and your children are comfortable.

1. Ask for references.

Nothing beats a word-of-mouth recommendation from someone you trust. Friends, relatives and other mothers you meet on the playground can be great sources for referrals. Check your neighborhood classified ads or local community bulletin board for babysitters looking for work. It helps to choose a babysitter in your neighborhood who can contact their own parents for help in case any minor problems arise.  

2. Make sure you choose someone old enough and mature enough to do the job. Infants especially require someone who is experienced and has possibly raised children of their own. Toddlers and school-age children can be looked after well enough by a thirteen year old, but make sure to have a list of emergency numbers, next-door neighbors or relatives, and the phone number of the place where you’ll be going, in case your babysitter needs to contact you.
 

3. When interviewing the sitter, ask for references.

Phone the latter, to verify the babysitter’s suitability as a carer for your children. Ask about any special qualifications such as CPR or first-aid training, Heimlich maneuver, what to do in case of accidental poisoning, etc. You should also not be afraid to ask the babysitter about personal habits such as swearing, smoking or drinking. Lastly, discuss payment options and transport issues with the babysitter and arrange to meet their parents if you can.  

4. Schedule a “Meeting Day” with the babysitter and your children. Allow them to play and interact together and monitor the result. Try not to be in the same room if you can avoid it, since some young beginning babysitters are very self-conscious and may feel awkward having you observe them – especially on their “first day”. Just listen to them and offer suggestions if needed. Pay special attention to how the babysitter disciplines the child or transitions them from one activity to the next. Don’t be afraid to step in with tips for the babysitter on how you discipline or guide your child, since every mother has a different style of parenting and often, a different set of rules. This ensures that the child knows how to behave no matter who is watching them.

5. Make sure they understand the “House Rules”, from the moment the babysitter begins working for you, . These include things like feeding and bed times as well as do’s and don’ts for each child (i.e. no TV until homework is done – no cookies before dinner). You should also add on rules for the babysitter to adhere to herself, such as no friends over, no loud music, etc.

Above all, if your child is old enough, make sure they are aware of and understand what abuse is (both physical and verbal), and to tell you right away if the babysitter does something to hurt them or make them feel uncomfortable, even if it was only done “in play”. Be cautious and always use your best judgment in any situation. Your children are counting on you!

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