Important Points for Hiring a Great Babysitter

Parents with small children will inevitably look for a babysitter at some stage. A competent, reliable babysitter will mean that a night out or those work commitments will not be a headache to parents of young children.

Leaving your child with someone else can be nerve-wracking, but sometimes you may have no choice. Here are a few points that are important when you’re trying to find a babysitter that you can trust and not have to worry about when away from your kids.

Look in the Right Place

Don’t assume that family is best or that friends will automatically step in. If you have family members you trust implicitly, then certainly use them, but many parents find a professional sitter a far better bet.

Sometimes family isn’t an option for those who live far away, so finding someone who treats your children as family is ideal. Often, these people become viewed as family to children because of the meaningful relationships built.

There are websites and apps where you can search for a reliable babysitter near you. Here, you can specify your requirements and browse through babysitters looking for jobs in your area.

Be Clear About Your Requirements

When speaking to a prospective babysitter, be very clear about your requirements. Are you looking for an energetic, young person to keep up with a toddler, a more mature, comforting presence, or perhaps a student that can assist with homework?

Make it clear in your advert if there is a possibility of you being called out to work, so you need someone that can fill in on short notice. Also, consider aspects such as a driver’s license, First Aid training, or housekeeping attributes.

Clearly State Your Pay Rate

In Canada, the national rate for babysitting is $14 per hour. This average rate will be affected by factors such as where you live, the number of children, the times you need a sitter and the sitter’s experience.

Ensure that the pay rate is clearly stated upfront and documented. Remember to include if this is prorated hourly or daily.

Match Their Philosophy With Yours

When searching for a babysitter, ensure that the one you choose has a similar outlook to yours. Ask leading questions when you interview the prospective sitter. Things such as how they feel about discipline, how they deal with bad behaviour, or how they would comfort your child. If the sitter’s philosophy doesn’t match yours, they will not be a good match for your children.

Check Their References

Check, check and check again their references. Be very wary of “character references,” as these often come from friends. You’re leaving your precious children with this person, so you must check them out very carefully. Also, do a simple Google search and pay attention to their social media posts. These may give a completely different view of the person from their reference letters.

If you’re taking on a sitter who will spend considerable time with your children, it may be worth paying for a full background check that includes criminal records.

You cannot be too careful when selecting a person with whom to trust your family. Take your time and review everything carefully.