How to Create an Information List for a Babysitter

Leaving your children with a babysitter for the first time can provoke anxiety, but with a little preparation, you can ensure that any emergency can be handled with care. Follow these steps to gain some peace of mind.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Binder

1. Prepare a binder to hold the checklist.
2. Type out a list of the basic information including:
   Children’s names and ages
   House number
   Phone number
   Closest Intersection
   Neighbor’s phone number
   Emergency phone number
   Allergies/Restrictions
   
3. Leave a space for information to be filled in including:
   Where you will be
   Phone number where you can be reached
   What time you will return
   Your cell or pager number
   
4. Provide a timeline and instructions explaining what you expect from the babysitter, including:
   Lunch or dinner instructions
   Medicine dosage and time
   Bed or naptime
   Bedtime routine
   Television privileges
   Chores or homework to be completed
   Whether friends can come over
   
5. Include a space for a short list of what is expected, such as “Please pick up the toys before bedtime. No personal phone calls. And please don’t eat in the living room. Thank you!”
6. Print multiples of this sheet and place it in the binder. Just fill out the bottom section each time and dispose of it when you return.
7. List the emergency information on a separate sheet including:
   Doctor’s phone number
   Poison Control’s phone number
   Police number
   Utility company’s phone number
   Insurance information
   
   Print out this sheet and including it separately. It is unlikely to be used and doesn’t need to crowd the relevant information.
   
8. Present the binder to your babysitter at the beginning of the sit. Offer to answer any further questions.

Tips & Warnings

• Providing your insurance policy number might not be a wise choice. It is unlikely but the information could be used fraudulently or sold.