Babysitter Basics

In-home care, in which your child's caretaker comes to your home, is in many ways the most convenient for parents. In-home sitters range from trained nannies to au pairs.
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Finding and Interviewing a Sitter

In-home care, in which your child's caretaker comes to your home, is in many ways the most convenient for parents. In-home sitters range from trained nannies, who may have training in child development and first aid, to women who, although not trained formally, have had many years' experience caring for children, including their own. Or you might opt for an au pair, a young person, usually a woman in her early twenties, often from abroad, who lives with your family.

Finding a Sitter

You can advertise for a nanny or sitter in your local paper or on community bulletin boards, or you can register with an agency. Word-of-mouth, however, is often the best source. Ask everyone you meet who has had a sitter; someone whose child no longer needs full-time care may be delighted to have a sitter she values highly go directly to another family. Good sources for finding sitters who are no longer needed by a family include local nursery schools. Many parents post the names and numbers of their sitters who are soon to need new jobs.

The Interview

When you interview a prospective sitter, be prepared with your questions; have them written down, since it's easy to forget what you wanted to ask. Request proof of identity, current address, and names and phone numbers of references. Check the references, making sure to ask why the sitter is no longer working for that family and whether the former employers would hire the sitter again. Following are questions to ask the sitter that will help you evaluate her as a potential caregiver:

  • What kind of childcare experience has she had? Ask her to explain the best and worst experiences. The details can be telling.
  • What is her attitude about working mothers? Does she approve of mothers leaving their infants with others?
  • How does she handle issues of discipline? Be specific. Ask her what she would do if your baby cried for an hour or more. What if your toddler was defiant or inattentive to her? What if your child broke her watch or another prized possession?
  • How does she feel about TV? Would she watch TV herself while your child was playing or napping? Would she offer television as a regular activity?
  • How does she feel about the rules you've set for the children? If her philosophy differs from yours, can she comfortably follow your standards?
  • How much does she like to mingle with other sitters, parents, and kids? Does she enjoy taking the kids outdoors to play?
  • What does she know about good nutrition? Does she limit snacks to good-for-you foods?
  • Find out what she would do in an emergency such as your child suddenly becoming ill or a fire in the building.

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Comments
Comments (6)
4204726675
letmehelpyou wrote:

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2/8/2012 05:31:08 PM Report Abuse
juliegray42 wrote:

Ok, good article but how about making sure your nanny or babysitter has a background check and updated CPR and First Aid...Hello??? That is the most important part of screening them? Ummm did I miss something here??? I worked for an online "Do It Yourself" nanny agency called www.nannycare.com for a few years and this was just totally protocol!

10/9/2011 05:33:26 PM Report Abuse
ALJEHM wrote:

I AM A MOTHER WHO IS LOOKING INTO TRYING TO START A FAMILY CHILD CARE CENTER IN MY HOME.I WANT TO DO THIS BECAUSE I FEEL THERE IS SUCH A HIGH DEMAND FOR GOOD CHILD CARE AND THERE IS NEVER ENOUGH AVAILABLE.THAT IS AFFORDABLE AND RELIABLE.AS WELL AS PROVIDE A VERY BENEIFICAL SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.IF ANYONE CAN HELP ME OR KNOWS ANY TIPS ON GETTING STARTED PLEASE COMMENT OR IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A GOOD SITTER IN THE QUEENS AREA PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME AT 347-255-0589 OR 718-961-1871

8/14/2011 07:17:36 AM Report Abuse
marialadd1 wrote:

The American Red Cross offers Babysitting Training for young people. The course work includes First Aid, feeding both infants and toddlers, how to dress, pick up the child, choking emergencies, home safety, responsibility, how to recognize emergencies, Record keeping and the Business of Babysitting.

5/12/2011 05:45:24 PM Report Abuse
amanda1774 wrote:

We passionately believe parents can find trusted sitters through their close friends. Ask parents with children the same age as your who they know, trust, and hire. You can start your trusted network to share with close friends, search, book, and communicate with trusted sitters in your network! www.sitterpals.com FREE!

5/9/2011 09:14:43 AM Report Abuse
sjp198426 wrote:

Need a babysitter contact TLC Baby-Sitting Service today, we service the Columbia, Towson and surrounding areas. All babysitters have TONS of experience and LOVE kids, have passed a Maryland State background check. For more information please feel free to contact us at (410) 696-8545

6/30/2010 08:21:03 PM Report Abuse
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