The thought of leaving my child alone with a stranger in my home frightens me to no end, yet that is what many people do when they invite sitters into their home. Nobody can care for your child the way you do. Yet you need a break occasionally, so you need to find a nurturing care provider who measures up to your high standards. Finding the right babysitter to watch your child is very important and can take some time and effort on your part. By screening candidates, you can not only learn about potential babysitters, but get a chance to observe them with your child before you leave them alone in your home.
Follow this 5 step process for prescreening potential babysitters:
First Contact- Once you have a lead for a babysitter it is a good idea to call them. This call should be pleasant and informal. You should introduce yourself and tell them a little about your child. You may want to inquire about their experience as well as ask for two references and their availability. Finally arrange an interview and exchange contact information, such as email addresses and home/cell phone numbers.
Check References- Take the time to research potential child care providers by calling upon the references that they supplied during your contact call. Ask the following questions in addition to anything else you may need to know:
- How did the sitter interact with your child?
- Did the sitter act responsibly and maintain order in your home while you were away?
- How dependable was the sitter?
- Would you hire this sitter again?
- Is there anything else you can tell me about the sitter?
Conduct the Interview-This is a critical part of hiring a caregiver because you will be able to form your impressions of them, and they of you. Did they arrive on time, dressed appropriately, or did they show up late wearing sweatpants and an old shirt? Do they appear comfortable or ill at ease? Ask open ended questions that create a conversation. This will give you a chance to get to know the candidate better and they will probably be more comfortable around you. For a full list of suggested interview questions, look at this Interview Checklist from Sittercity.com. It is a good idea to have your child around during the interview. This will give you a chance to see how the sitter interacts with children, plus you can gather feedback from your child later. What if you have a “perfect babysitter” on paper but you have an uneasy feeling you just can’t shake? Go with your gut reaction here. The welfare of your child could be at stake.
Plan a Trial Run-Let’s say you have checked the references and conducted the interview. You have a great sitter so you should be ready to utilize them. Or should you? A trial run while you are around will make it easier for you to establish your house rules. Why not invite the sitter over for lunch and let them play with your child for a couple hours. When you are comfortable, step away for a half hour or so to work on a project or read a book (wouldn’t that be nice). When the care provider departs get input from your child and combine it with your research and impressions to make a final decision.
Arrange for Childcare- Once you and your partner are satisfied that the babysitter matches your requirements and interacts well with your child, it is time to go on a date, run some errands, or whatever you need. Make sure your expectations are clear before you leave and resist the urge to check in every 5 minutes. Be sure to arrive home on time and pay your sitter promptly. After the sitter has gone home, talk to your child about what they did while you were away.
This screening process will not guarantee that you will find the perfect babysitter for your family. However if you do take the time to screen you may have peace of mind that your child, and your home, will be well cared for in your absence. You will be able to enjoy some relaxing, worry-free down time if you do your homework first.
How do you select a Babysitter for your family?
Up Tommorrow:
Parent Profile-Meet Erin Chase from $5 Dinners.com
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We learned this week about different parenting styles. From authoritative Drill Sargents to permissive Helicopters, and the diplomatic Consultants. I tried to remember the way my parents “parented” me. What I remember (and it is sort of foggy) is that my mom was somewhere between a Drill Sargent and a Consultant. I recall that she had to have the control, but I do not remember her getting angry or being overly negative. This is probably why I feel like a Drill Sargent Sometimes. Which leads to…
