Being a great babysitter is hard work! Sure, you get to play with the kids and eat snacks, but there’s also a lot of information you need to know about the family and their children before you start your babysitting job. The more prepared you are, the smoother your sit will be. (And maybe you’ll even get a tip, too.)
As a babysitter, it is important to remember what questions you should be asking the parents. They can help you determine which way to go in the event of an emergency and make the job much more relaxing for everyone involved. It can be overwhelming to remember all the questions to ask parents, so we created this guide to help you through the conversation.
Here are 4 questions you should ask the parents before they leave you in charge while babysitting.
1. Who is the best person to contact in an emergency?
Some parents have jobs requiring them to be away from their phones, which is why it’s important to ask who to contact in an emergency. This way, you will always have someone to contact if something goes wrong. Make sure you ask for all parent phone numbers, doctor phone numbers, who to contact in case of an emergency, and who to call if you can’t reach the parents.
2. What is the typical schedule and routine?
Making sure you know the children’s routine is a great way to make sure that everything runs smoothly, as most kids adapt better to a new sitter if their routine stays the same. The parents will usually give you this information without you having to ask, but on the off chance they don’t, it’s great information to ask for!
3. Do the children have any allergies/dietary restrictions?
Making sure you know the dietary needs and allergies of the children you are sitting for is essential to ensure their health and safety. Always make sure to ask, so you don’t risk unintentionally causing the child any danger.
4. What do they enjoy doing?
Knowing the activities that the children you are babysitting enjoy doing can help you avoid tantrums and keep the children entertained for the duration of your sit. Asking if there are any toys or games they particularly enjoy is also a great way to bond with the children!
Use your phone’s Notes app to keep track of your questions and answers. This will help you feel confident that you’ve covered all the bases when meeting a new family and will help you during your babysitting job. You can never ask too many questions, especially regarding the child’s needs and safety
On Bambino, you can find safe and trusted families to start babysitting for. To start, all you have to do is download the app, create a sitter profile with at least 1 recommendation, and that’s it!