How to Select a Reputable Babysitter

Children deserve to have the best of care when parents cannot be with them. Whether you need a babysitter for a few hours one evening a week or all day during the day, choosing a reputable one is one of the most important things parents can do.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Ask for referrals from friends and family. Often friends and family already know a reputable babysitter and can suggest someone thus cutting down on the time it takes to find one.

2. Make a list of four or five babysitters, you want to have several options in the event one babysitter isn’t available when you need her.

3. Even if someone comes highly recommended as a babysitter, you should still do an in-depth interview with possible candidates.

4. If you don’t find a babysitter you like in the first group of interviews then by all means find four or five more and repeat the process.

5. When you find one or two that you like and think would be good babysitters, have them meet your kids. Kids are a great judge of character and since they will be the ones with the babysitter, it is very important that they feel secure with your choice.

6. Choose the best two or three and exchange phone numbers and whatever else is necessary. Try them out when you have need.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose babysitters who have a CPR card and know how to give CPR to children. This is very important. You don’t want a babysitter who wouldn’t know what to do if a child were choking for example.
• Don’t choose babysitters based on appearance. Even if they have five piercings and numerous tattoos, they could still be an excellent babysitter. Instead focus on their qualifications.
• Have a hidden video camera in the area of the house where the babysitter and your children will be spending the most time. That way, you will catch it on tape if the babysitter does something you don’t like. Many cases of child abuse by caregivers have been caught by parents employing a hidden camera.
• Be aware that even with all these precautions it is possible to pick a poor babysitter. If you think this is the case, then return home right away and separate your babysitter from your children. Report anything drastic such as abuse caught on tape, bruises and broken bones to authorities.