So you’re going out. Finding a babysitter that you trust and that your kids will love can seem a daunting task. This is particularly true if you don’t live near close family that you know and trust. Once you find someone that works out, a qualified sitter who is also adored by your children, hang on for dear life!
Finding a Qualified Babysitter
The single best way to meet a great childcare provider is through the recommendations of friends or family that use the same sitter. When you talk to the prospective sitter over the phone, ask for more references, and call them. Also ensure to express your expectations, the ages of your children, along with hourly rates.
If you don’t know anyone that can make a recommendation, check university message boards or call the student employment centre. You can also check the local yellow pages online for babysitting agencies. Generally, these pre-screened sitters come with ample experience, although you’ll probably end up paying more for the extra know-how. You can also find sitters through online services designed to connect potential childcare providers and parents – try something like www.findababysitter.com.au.
Interviewing a Prospective Sitter
Before you leave someone with your children, sit down for a brief interview. Find out if the sitter has infant/child first aid and CPR training. Also, if you don’t know someone, it’s never a bad idea to get their basic information – home address, home phone number and mobile phone number (even photocopy or take a picture of their drivers licence if you’ve never met or used them before). If you haven’t already, get some references. Call them.
Another good idea, particularly if you’re looking for a long-term sitter, is to hold an audition. Set aside a couple of hours and let the prospective sitter have a real-time run with your children. Observe how the sitter interacts with the children – is there chemistry? Does s/he look at ease? It’s an important job, and there’s nothing wrong with doing a paid, on-the-job interview.
Preparing a Babysitter
Before you leave for a night on the town, you should make certain preparations to ensure the transition and time away run smoothly. Post emergency contact numbers in a couple of places throughout the house, along with medical information, poison control centre number, and a paediatrician number. Also keep in mind that your babysitter probably won’t know your street address, and in the event that the sitter needs to call emergency services, it’s imperative that they have instant access to this pertinent information.
The sitter should know where to find a first-aid kit and fire extinguisher; a safety tour of the house is a great idea. A babysitter should also be prepared to make snacks, lunch or dinner when appropriate, understanding what food is to be served and when. It’s also important for the sitter to know your child’s nap or bedtime routines. The little things matter – if you read two books before bed, deliver a cup or water and sing a song, tell the sitter. The closer her routine comes to yours, the easier time she’ll have.
Like any other employee, the best way to ensure a great experience is to make expectations clear before the job begins. Keeping a master schedule and list(s) in a centralised location helps the sitter follow your daily routine. Before you head out, go over the rules with the sitter in front of the children. When everyone is on the same page, the experience is sure to run more smoothly.
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