As a parent, it can feel overwhelming trying to find a babysitter you can trust to care for your child. Choosing the right babysitter requires evaluating various factors. We have put together 11 essential tips to help you find the right babysitter for your family.
Determine your requirements for childcare:
Before you start your search for a babysitter, make a list of the requirements of the job and the expectations of the sitter. Do you need a sitter who can drive? Do you need someone who can help with homework? Understanding what you need will help you filter through potential candidates more efficiently.
Get referrals from trusted sources:
Start by asking your friends, family, and coworkers for recommendations. The Bambino app makes this easy by providing you with a community of sitters recommended by your friends and neighbors. You can also check with your child’s school or local parenting groups.
Check the sitter’s experience and training:
Ask the babysitter about their experience and any training or certifications they have. Do they have experience with children of similar ages to your child? Have they taken courses in first aid and CPR?
Schedule a meet and greet:
Whether in person or over Facetime, an interview with the babysitter helps you get a sense of their personality, values, and approach to childcare. Ask about their availability, rates, and expectations. Don’t know where to start when negotiating rates with a sitter? Use a babysitting app like Bambino that provides the Sitters’ rates and availability before requesting.
Vet the sitter:
Conduct different safety and identity checks on the sitter like Family Watch Dog for sex offenders, criminal background checks, or Motor Vehicle Record checks.
Check their online presence:
Look up the babysitter on Google or social media to get a sense of their personality and ensure there is nothing concerning on their profiles.
Have a trial run:
Trial runs are completely optional but can help a parent using babysitters for the first time to feel more comfortable. This will also help the kids feel more comfortable with someone who is not family.
Discuss house rules:
Before you leave the house, set your expectations with the babysitter, such as rules around screen time, snacks, and bedtimes. Providing a list of bedtimes, screen time, allergies, and other household rules will help to alleviate confusion.
Provide emergency contact information:
Keep a list with all the necessary emergency contact information, including phone numbers for you, a neighbor, and emergency services.
Follow up:
After the first job with the sitter, follow up with them to get their feedback on how the sit went. Address any concerns with the babysitter. The babysitter should feel comfortable with your family, too.
Get kid approval:
Asking your kids simple and open-ended questions about their time while you were gone provides further insight to see if the sitter is the right match. What did they do during the sit? What was their favorite thing they did with the sitter?
Finding the right babysitter takes time and effort, but it’s worth it for your peace of mind. Remember to prioritize your child’s safety and well-being and only choose a candidate who meets your requirements and expectations. By following these 11 steps, you can feel confident that you’ve chosen a babysitter who will take good care of your child.
If 11 steps feel too daunting, use a babysitting app like Bambino to find, vet, and book your sitter all in just a few steps. Get started by downloading the app and creating your parent profile.