If you are looking for a new sitter, talk to friends, relatives and co-workers about who they use. If you’re new to an area, a local school may be able to give a recommendation.

A good way to introduce a new sitter is to invite the person over to meet your child beforehand. You can see whether your child feels comfortable, decide if the sitter is responsible enough, and ask questions to get some background.

Questions to ask a new babysitter

How long have you been doing this type of work?
Do you have experience with children the same age as my child?
Do you have first aid training?
Have you taken a babysitting course?

A good babysitter will also ask you questions and show interest in your child. This is a good time to talk about basics. Go over details such as allergies and where your emergency contact numbers are written. Discuss where important things may be found, such as baby bottles, diapers, food, games and books. Talk about your child’s routines for eating and going to bed, whether TV or videos are allowed, and show the sitter around.

A test run

Next, a short outing while your child is awake can cue you about how the sitter and your child get on together - playing, reading and talking. You are hiring someone to care for a very important person. You, your child and the sitter should all feel comfortable. Talk with your child, if she is old enough. If your child is naturally outgoing but dislikes the sitter, listen. If your child is shy, and the sitter tries to make friends right from the start, that’s a good sign.

Heading out

Once you’ve decided the sitter is the right match, talk about rates, hours and expected duties, like feeding, changing, bathing, brushing teeth and bedtime routines. Discuss any expected need for discipline and the way it should be handled.

Make sure your sitter is prepared (see table below). Leave contact numbers for yourself, as well as police, fire and ambulance numbers. Include the names and numbers of friends or family in case you can’t be reached. You might also include the address of a helpful neighbour. Show the sitter where you keep the fire extinguisher, first aid kit and flashlight, and point out smoke alarms.

When your sitter arrives, talk about appropriate snacks and drinks and whether the TV can be used. If your child is on medication, explain how it is to be given and leave a reminder note.

Be realistic about your time of return home and phone if there is any delay. Arrange either a ride home or a taxi for the sitter before going out.

If your child is ill, cancel the sitter.

When is your son or daughter ready to babysit?

Kids babysit for a variety of reasons, not only to earn some money. It’s a good start at work experience, and good practice at being responsible, as well. No child under the age of 12 should babysit – most are not mature enough at 11 or under and, in most provinces, it is illegal to leave children in the care of a child under 12.

If your son or daughter is interested in babysitting, ask a few questions:

Do you like children, get along with and understand them?
Are you friendly and have a sense of humour?
Are you responsible and honest?
Can you be flexible and able to adapt?
Do you know what to do in emergencies?
Do you mind being on your own?

A child with younger siblings may already have had valuable experience minding children or infants at home, and be ready to babysit others. Youngest or only children may need coaching in how small children behave.

It’s wise to take the babysitting course offered by a recognized organization like St. John Ambulance or the Canadian Red Cross. Many community groups offer these too. These courses cover safety, responsibilities and rights and offer special tips on handling younger children and infants and what to do in emergencies. Good habits are also encouraged, such as using a checklist and taking along games, puzzles and books to interest the child being babysat.

Any sitter should get acquainted with the family before taking on a new babysitting job. This is especially true for kids who haven’t done much of this work before. If your child is being hired as a sitter, make sure she is comfortable with the role, the child and the family. It’s okay to refuse a job if something is troubling – perhaps the parents treat their children unkindly, the home is in a neighbourhood with which you are uncomfortable or a ride home isn’t provided. You want your child to be safe and comfortable, too, in her new role.

What Your Babysitter Should Know
In an emergency	Home safety	Toys and activities
your telephone number telephone numbers or address of two relatives or friends who will be at home while you are out, and the address of a neighbour the best route to take out of the home in an emergency telephone numbers of the doctor, the police station and the local hospital (or 911) clear written directions on how emergency services can get to your home where to find a fire blanket or fire extinguisher	where the family’s first aid kit is kept whether there is a baby monitor and how to use it where the circuit breaker and water shutoff are and how to operate them where to find a flashlight	toys you would like your children to play with games you would like the children to play and those to avoid before bedtime • television programs or videos that your children are allowed to watch • whether older children are allowed to use the phone
Bedtime	Health and Behaviour	Food
the bedtime routine for each child and where bedtime stories are told what time lights are turned out and if there is a nightlight whether bedroom doors are left open or closed what to do if children wake up during the evening where extra blankets and clothing are kept what to do if the children sleepwalk, sleep talk or have a nightmare	whether the children have been ill recently if they are allergic to food, medication, adhesive bandages, or have a medical condition any characteristic behaviour that might need to be explained what to do if children misbehave and how to deal with misbehaviour	where feeding equipment is kept what the children can eat and drink how to burp the baby after feeding

The older sitter

So far, we’ve talked about babysitting in general and mainly about younger sitters. You may have parents or other older relatives who don’t mind occasionally serving as babysitter. When considering older persons, keep in mind their lifestyles and physical condition. Are they healthy and active enough to keep up with your two-year-old for an entire evening or day? Is it better just to have them look after your child briefly when you need to run an errand? The same rule – do they like your children and do your children like them? – applies to sitters of any age. If Grandma and Grandpa want to care for your child in their own home, is the house child-proof? If they come to your house, is it accessible for them? Can they cope with a child who wakes in the middle of the night, and can they handle things like baths and feedings? Remember to go over the same details, such as how to contact you in case of emergency.

Babysitting should be a fun, rewarding experience for both the child and the sitter. As a parent, your first priority is your child, whether caring for another child or in the care of a sitter.

Choosing a Babysitter Tips and tricks

Getting to know you

Questions to ask a new babysitter

A test run

Heading out

When is your son or daughter ready to babysit?

What Your Babysitter Should Know

In an emergency

Home safety

Toys and activities

Bedtime

Health and Behaviour

Food

The older sitter

Choosing a Babysitter
Tips and tricks