How to Choose a Babysitter
Choosing a Babysitter – Kids
Here are a few pointers to guide you when choosing a babysitter for your kids. These elements can help you choose among child care providers in your community and find the babysitter that best matches you, your kids and your family situation.
Choosing a Babysitter – Trust Your Instincts
Above all, select the babysitter that seems best for you and your child. Whether you think it’s important to find the right person based on the age of the children to be cared for or that the caregiver live near your home in your community, you ultimately know best. Begin by contacting the babysitter and offer an appointment for an initial meeting. Bring your child with you to the meeting to better evaluate the potential relationship and feel free to meet other babysitters to better compare. You may want to meet the babysitter a second time to refine your interview before giving the final “Yes”.
Choosing a Babysitter – Childcare
Feel free to express the childcare issues you care about. What experience does the babysitter have caring for children or toddlers; how many and what ages? Talk with the babysitter about the organization of the day: meals, outings, naps, activities. Is the babysitter familiar with the library and parks in the local community? How were previous positions awarded and what was their term?
Choosing a Babysitter – Positive Parenting
Pay attention to the observations you’ve made about the babysitter. Are the indications favorable? Observe the babysitter’s surroundings. Is the housing clear, pleasant and secure? Try to meet with other parents whose children the babysitter has kept. There’s nothing like a good child care reference and direct testimony from previous child care jobs and experiences.