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Step 1
Create a written application for your babysitting position. Include a section for employment history and a section for personal references. Each of these sections should include a space for the babysitter to provide contact information for previous employers and personal references.
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Step 2
Conduct an in person interview with your potential babysitter. Ask open ended questions about previous work history and the relationship she has with those listed in her personal reference section. Open ended questions are those that require more than a yes or no answer. An example would be, "Tell me about your work with family Y."
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Step 3
Develop a list of questions to ask previous employers and personal references. Questions for previous employers should be open ended and should cover topics like work ethic, reliability, performance, ability to relate to children, the ability to follow instructions and competence. Questions for personal references should cover topics like character and outside interests.
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Step 4
Call personal references and previous employers and conduct a reference interview. Use the questions you've developed in Step 3. End the conversation with a question like "Is there anything else you'd like to tell me or I should know about this candidate?" This provides an opportunity to gather additional information about your potential babysitter. You'll also want to be sure that the reference can confirm the information your candidate provided about her relationship with that reference during her interview.
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Step 5
Consider using a company that conducts background screenings for childcare providers. Companies like 4nannies.com provide background screening for a fee to parents. These companies can verify past employment and check for a criminal record.
