Finding the right babysitter to care for your children....test runs, familiarzation, background, policies, and more.
You are a working parent and can't be home in time to pick your children up from school. You are a single mom who has to leave before your child starts school. You are a married couple in need of a date night. You have church obligations and need someone to watch your child. You have an OB/GYN appointment and don't dare take your child. Does any of this sound familiar?
How do you go about choosing the right sitter? How do you know that the sitter will treat your child with the same respect and dignity that you would give to your child? How do you know that your child will click with the sitter of your choice? How do you know that the sitter you choose will have your child's best interests at heart? Is it really all a gamble?
It doesn't have to be. Finding the right sitter for your child can be a time consuming experience, but it can also be one of the best things you can do for your child. Below are some steps in helping you choose the right sitter:
1. Ask around:
· Ask other family members, neighbors, and friends for a few referrals.
· Ask your church office if they keep a running list of sitters, from the church, who are available.
· Speak with your local Girl or Boy Scout Troop. They are often equipped in many first aid and CPR courses.
2. Get a background check done:
· If it's an occasional sitter, who comes to your home so that you can have an evening out, have you asked to have a background check performed? You can do this by taking them down to the local police department and have them fingerprinted.
2. Check credentials:
· Has the sitter had any first aid or CPR classes?
· Do you have a special needs child? If so, what training has the sitter had in order to properly care for your child?
· Ask for references, so that you can contact the other parents to see what they think of the sitter.
3. Take a test run:
· Ask the sitter to come over to your home and watch the children while you clean the house or get some other type of work done.
· When you leave your child in the care of the sitter, come home early one evening, to see how your child is being treated.
· When you leave the house, wait fifteen minutes, then return to see what the sitter is doing with your child.
· Observe and listen to your children when you pick them up or return home.
4. Make sure the sitter knows what your policies are:
· What should the sitter do if an accident takes place and your child is injured?
· When is bed time?
· Can the sitter bathe your child or would you prefer that the sitter not bathe your child?
· What types of food can your child eat?
