| The process of hiring a babysitter for an infant or | | | | Walk me through a typical day at your home, |
| baby is often scarey for any parent. If you have an | | | | What would you do if my child broke something in |
| infant or young child that doesn't yet talk or cannot tell | | | | your home? |
| you what's happened while you're away, your upfront | | | | Do you wear a seatbelt when you drive? |
| screening is serious baby safety business. | | | | What are your long term plans? Moving? Looking for a |
| First and foremost, read a lot of publications on | | | | job? |
| interviewing a babysitter. Although these tips are great, | | | | Will you be transporting my child anywhere while |
| this is by no means a comprehensive guide. | | | | babysitting? If so, ask about the vehicle and car seat |
| Next, decide on what you need in a babysitter. It's | | | | and seatbelts. |
| good to have a list of non-negotiables so you can | | | | What are your views on discipline? How would you |
| visualize your ideal candidate. Also, put together a list | | | | handle a crying baby? |
| of requirements you need in addition to the interviews. | | | | What are your favorite activities would you do with a |
| You will want to consider a background check and a | | | | child the age of mine? |
| number of references among other things. Never use | | | | What do you like to do in your spare time? Any |
| personal friends of the candidate as references. Keep | | | | hobbies? |
| in mind you are not just interviewing and investigating | | | | What televisions shows do you enjoy watching? |
| the babysitter for baby safety specifics, but need to | | | | Tell me some of the rules in your home? |
| weigh virtually everyone your baby or small child will | | | | What was the most infuriating situation you ever came |
| have contact with while in the care of the sitter. This | | | | across while babysitting? |
| includes other children that she may be caring for in | | | | Do you have any pet peeves about parents you've |
| addition to yours and anyone else that might participate | | | | worked for in the past? |
| in the care of your child. For example the sitter may | | | | Have you ever had to handle an emergency while |
| have teenagers that help after school or other family | | | | babysitting? What happened and how did you handle |
| members that live in the home. The more people that | | | | it? |
| will have access to your child, the more thorough and | | | | Do you have any first aid experience? |
| deep you need to dig into the total environment and | | | | Who lives in the home or visits regularly that might |
| the stability of everyone involved. | | | | care for my child while in your home? |
| Listed below are good interview questions to ask. | | | | Do you or does anyone in your home smoke? |
| Remember you do not want to give away your | | | | What is your policy if my child is sick? |
| preferences to the person you are interviewing or | | | | What pets do you have? (don't assume because you |
| they will simply give you back the answer you want to | | | | can't see them they don't have pets) |
| hear. If you say you are looking for a high energy | | | | What ages of children are you most comfortable |
| person, they likely will work to convince you how they | | | | with? |
| are energetic but in reality might sit in front of the TV | | | | How do you feel about phone calls or if I pick up my |
| all day. Pay attention to both verbal and non verbal | | | | child without calling early if I get off work early for |
| feedback in order to find out the person's hot buttons, | | | | example? |
| level of confidence, sincerity and trustworthyness. | | | | At the end of the interview offer to answer any |
| Your goal is to peel back the layers and really find out | | | | questions the candidate might have. Usually at this |
| about the person you are entrusting your precious | | | | point it will have gone one way or the other. If you |
| child. The more comfortable you can make the person | | | | really feel good about the candidate you should clear |
| during the interview, the more likely you will get good | | | | your other requirements like background check, driver's |
| information about the person and the care they will | | | | license, and references. Validate that the candidate |
| provide your child. | | | | also wants to move forward and if so, arrange to |
| Tell me about where you grew up and your family | | | | bring your child over to see how the potential sitter and |
| growing up? | | | | your child get along, as well as how your child does |
| What is your experience caring for children and what | | | | with any other children of the sitter or children the sitter |
| ages of children have you watched in the past? | | | | will be watching in addition to your child. |