Here at Yoopies, we appreciate that all parents need time to unwind, away from their children from time to time. So, whether you’re visiting friends, going out for dinner or simply want to enjoy some downtime, you’ll need to find the right babysitter- someone you can completely rely on and trust. Once reassured that your child(ren) is/are in excellent hands, the chances are, you’ll enjoy your time away from the kids even more.
As a parent, perhaps you’re a little worried about choosing the right babysitter, and quite rightly so given that it’s a hugely important task. But, you should remember that when hiring a babysitter you aren’t hiring an additional parent. Whoever you choose is unlikely to have the exact same approach to childcare as you do. So, when finding the right babysitter, you shouldn’t be on the hunt for a replica of yourself/selves; instead, you should focus your energy on choosing a babysitter with professional qualities such as being responsible, kind, and caring.
Without further ado, to help you through the process of successfully choosing the right babysitter, we’ve compiled a list of our Yoopies’ top tips…
1) What should I be looking for in a babysitter?
2) How do I interview a babysitter?
5) Leaving your child with a babysitter
1. What should I be looking for in a babysitter?
As a parent, there are certain qualities we should be keeping an eye out when searching for a babysitter. Keep a checklist in mind of your must qualities and qualifications to ensure you choose a babysitter that is right for your needs.
Qualities to consider include:
1) Approach to discipline
2) General life values: don’t be afraid to get to know your babysitter on a more personal level. What do they care about? What are their hobbies or passions?
3) Are they kind, responsible, and mature?
4) Are they professional and serious?
5) Are they comfortable with First Aid or comfortable with contacting the right port of call in a case of emergency?
Qualifications and experience to consider:
1) Do I want my babysitter to have a DBS check or First Aid Certificate?
2) Do I want my babysitter to have experience?
3) What age do I want my babysitter to be?
Personal needs to consider:
1) Do I need my babysitter to stay overnight?
2) Do I need my babysitter to be able to cook?
3) Do I want my babysitter to bathe my children?
4) Does my babysitter match the hours I require?
5) Will I need a babysitter regularly or for a one-off?
2. The Interview
To ensure you choose a babysitter that you can rely on, you should always carry out interviews and thoroughly review their references provided. This is the perfect opportunity for you to ask any important questions and learn a little more about your prospective babysitter.
Your parental instincts will kick in here and you should be able to gauge whether the applicant seems friendly, caring, and flexible. Do you feel comfortable around them? You should consider asking the babysitter questions about their approach to discipline and find out how they would deal with certain situations. This will give you a chance to assess whether the potential babysitter’s approach is similar to yours.
During the interview, it’s also appropriate to discuss their rate. Is there an additional charge for babysitting duties after midnight? You should also find out whether the sitter has her own means of transport to get to and from your house. It is usually expected that the parent will cover their babysitter’s travel costs incurred.
Don’t forget as well that every house and every family is completely different! So, even if you’re hiring an experienced babysitter, you’ll still need to talk them through all of the requirements and specific instructions about your home and your child. To avoid any confusion here, it’s important that you are very clear about what it is you want the babysitter to do whilst you’re away. For instance, does your child have a story read to them before bedtime? Are there any games he or she shouldn’t play? Any TV programmes they are not allowed to watch? You should also address any vital approaches to discipline that you would like to be upheld.
That being said, despite the guidelines that you provide the babysitter, you should always compromise a little and leave enough space for their own initiative and creativity.
3. Test Run
Once you think you’ve chosen the right babysitter, we suggest that you also see how your babysitter interacts with your children. Feel free to organise a taster session before hiring them, or ask your babysitter to meet the children during the interview. Do you like their style? Are they being playful? How do your children react to around her/him? Seeing for yourself how they interact with your children will help you be sure that you’ve made the correct decision on picking the right babysitter.
4. Hiring the Babysitter
Once you’ve interviewed, checked relevant references, seen them in action, and set clear expectations, you’re ready to hire your babysitter! Before you leave the sitter alone with your children, though, it’s vital that you prepare a document that contains a list of the information they may require and keep it in a convenient place – for example, next to the telephone.
The list should include:
1) Your name, address, and phone number where you can be reached whilst out.
2) Phone numbers of your doctor, the police, and the fire service.
3) The time you expect to return. Of course, if there is a change of plans, and you find yourself out later than expected it is important to let your babysitter know.
5. Leaving your Child
At Yoopies, we recommend that, once your babysitter arrives, you should remain in the home for around 15 minutes to allow for your children to adjust to your babysitter’s presence/ Don’t be surprised if when you attempt to leave your child becomes upset; this is normal and the tears will quickly stop. The babysitter will be used to this situation and have the skills to be able to distract and comfort your child. If you’re worried though, don’t hesitate to call your babysitter in an hour to check everything is ok.
Before you leave, it’s a good idea to talk to your babysitter through your home. Where is the first aid kit? How do they use the technology in the house? You should also make the babysitter aware of what snacks, and/or meals your children are allowed and if you have left any food for the sitter as well. It goes without saying that it can be difficult to navigate a new kitchen, so necessary implements should be left in clear sight.
Finally, then, you’re ready to enjoy your time away from the kids. Are you ready to have some adult conversations? Yes! Well, you’ll most likely find yourself talking about, of course – the kids.
When searching for a highly qualified babysitter in your area, you can use our online service at Yoopies.co.uk. Simply enter your postcode and browse through hundreds of local professionals. You can even tailor the search to suit your unique family needs and requirements in order to find the right babysitter.