helpful hints for finding a babysitter.

Helpful Hints

Outline expectations prior to care starting and you will certainly have a positive outcome when choosing a babysitter/caregiver for your family.
Be sure the babysitter/caregiver is comfortable with all ages of children. If possible have the babysitter come several times before care is needed. This gives parents the opportunity to see how the babysitter/caregiver interacts with the children and how the children re-act to the babysitter. It can create familiarity and comfort for the parent, the caregiver and the children. Pay the caregiver/babysitter for this ‘trial care’ as it establishes professionalism.
The day of care, it is important to leave written instructions for the babysitter/caregiver as all information cannot be communicated in the few minutes before leaving. What does your child need? What is the schedule to provide consistency for each child. Consistency provides comfort for children of all ages. When leaving written instructions consider including the following information:
What kind of activities do you want the babysitter to complete? Remember a caregiver’s first priority is a child’s health, safety and well being:

Developmentally appropriate programming.
Taking children to activities in their community, already determined by the parent.
Transporting children to and from activities and school.
Meal planning based upon the four food groups for children. This may include: lunches, lunch preparation, supper and snacks. Who will be responsible for the preparation, serving and clean up? What are expectations regarding eating? Sit at the table as a family grouping; no watching TV; social interaction.
Your household rules for indoor and outdoor play.
Positive Guidance. How do you want rules to be carried out so it is consistent with parenting practices?
Comforting practices. If a child is upset because they miss mommy or daddy, what works to help calm the child? Be specific.
Contact information: When do you want to be contacted? Where are you going? What are the numbers for contact? Who can the caregiver call if they cannot get a hold of you due to telephone disruption? If there is an emergency what should the babysitter/caregiver do?

Based upon the children’s needs and activity, parents will need to decide how many hours they will want the babysitter to work. What will the work hours be? How much flexibility will be needed to accommodate schedules? How much notice will be required for the babysitter to accommodate changes to parent schedules?
If there are promises made to be home at a specific time, ensure there is follow through. If a parent cannot follow through contact the babysitter/caregiver, this is a sign of respect and courtesy for the caregiver and children. Many times, children ask: “When will my mom and dad be home?” If they keep saying soon…a child can become fretful and distrustful. The next time care is required, it may not be too easy for the child or finding a babysitter/caregiver.
Don’t leave a sick child with a babysitter/caregiver – it is not fair to either one of them, unless it is an emergency and everyone is informed.
Communicate expectations; leave lots of information; follow through on promises and pay fairly. This is the winning combination to a successful babysitting/caregiver relationship and the child is the beneficiary.