Perception is everything, as they say, and there’s nothing more important than creating the best impression with your employer.
When preparing for your babysitting job, it’s therefore important to exercise due diligence, helped with preparation ahead of time, to put both you and them at ease.
While you might be anxious about the responsibility or meeting new children, parents will be feeling equally nervous. Putting their children in the care of a stranger is a big step and should be treated with the responsibility it deserves.
Whether babysitting is your main profession, a summer job or a part-time job, you should always strive to do your best. Being organised will go a long way in preparing you for this.
Rather than just turning up for a job, impress your employers and give yourself a head-start, by consulting these babysitting tips in advance…
Figure out your fee
If babysitting is just a summer job, you might not know the going-rate, so it’s best to ask around. In any case, be clear on your hourly rate in advance and if you require any further additions, such as a taxi home (if working late).
Plan your route
First impressions last, so plan your route to the address in advance and arrive in good time. Arriving early will also give you a chance to get to observe the children at home, and ask any questions without the parents rushing to get out the door.
The kids
If this is your first babysitting job with a new family, take time to ask the names and ages of children in advance. This will help you prepare for your day or night of entertainment, feeding schedules and sleep arrangements.
At the same time, ask what the general house rules are, if the children have any specific requirements (dietary or otherwise), and if any specific activities are forbidden. Nap schedules and bedtimes should be clarified as well.
Names and details
For your babysitting job, bring along a notepad to jot down the contact details of the parents, along with where they are going, should you need to get in contact.
This may seem like overkill, but it’s easy to forget details when you’re under pressure, and the parents will be reassured that you took time to add this to your babysitting checklist.
First Aid
It’s always good to know where the First Aid kit is, since kids are prone to the occasional bump and bruise. Likewise, it’s important to have a plan in place for an emergency. This means having the parents contact details to hand, and knowing the nearest accident and emergency centre. It’s unlikely you will ever need this, but being prepared means you’re better equipped if you do.
Food
Speak to your family in advance about food arrangements. If you are working the full day, you will need to think about how you can eat, as well as look after the children. Some families will leave snacks out for you, others will include you in any pre-cooked family meals – some however, will prefer for you to bring your own food. As childcare etiquette goes, the only rule is to ask in advance, so that everyone is on the same page.
One cautionary word though – avoid bringing ‘smelly’ foods to another person’s house to reheat. The lingering smell is not always popular with others.
Payment
Using an online babysitting site will remove some of the challenges of payments and awkwardness at the end of the night. However, it’s always worth discussing this in advance for clarity.
Some parents may be entitled to tax-free childcare, or 15-hours free childcare. In these cases, funding is sent directly from your local council to you. However, you must be registered and approved beforehand to receive this form of payment.
With Yoopies, payments are always managed securely through our online platform so there’s no need to have this awkward conversation, the parents will automatically adjust with the exact hours worked and you’ll expect a payment in your account the following week! You’ll never have to worry about parents forgetting to go to the cashpoint or incorrect hours being paid.
Discover Yoopies innovative booking platform
Entertainment
Depending on the nature of your babysitting job, you might be asked to spend a full or half day with children. This means hours of entertainment!
Keeping in mind that younger children need frequent naps, it can be worth planning activities and entertainment in advance.
These can include fun babysitting games to play around the home, for instance ‘hide and seek’ or musical statues. You might want to find out their favourite films in advance, so you can act out scenes from their favourite movies – they’ll love you for it!
If you want to take the children out, it is advisable to ask the parent’s permission in advance. Usually, this is reserved for babysitters that they are familiar with, rather than one-off babysitting jobs.
For more inspiration on great games to play, check out our guide here.
Planning your time
Babysitting is a popular job for students, as it affords them time to study. It’s a given that while in the custody of children, they should always be the first and main priority. Studying while the children are asleep is fine, however be mindful of the amount of material you bring with you – too much may make the parents question your dedication to the job in hand.
When you’re babysitting, keep in mind that children are very honest and will report everything back to their parents. Therefore, if you were planning to use the time to catch up with friends over the phone, only do this when the children have gone to bed and are fully asleep.
Pack your bags!
Finally, take away any pressure that you can avoid on the day of your babysitting job by packing your bag in advance to give you a head start. Be sure to include some entertainment for yourself, as well as; your phone charger, food (if necessary), snacks, loose change (always handy), a notepad and pen, tissues and wipes – after all, you can never have enough where children are concerned!