What are your top 10 questions to ask your babysitter/childcare provider before Hiring them?

Question

I'm heading back to the work force and need childcare. I've asked some good questions to those I interview but It feels like I'm forgetting to ask a very important question. But I don't know what it is. Maybe you can help me by giving me your to 10 questions.
Thanks

Yes, 10 is long...can you give me atleast 5 please? Thanks again :)

Answer 1

I would recommend using a corporate owned child care center as opposed to a babysitter in your home. Of course you never know what will happen when you are not around, but I, myself, feel more secure with an open door policy.

1) What is there ratio; make sure the teacher isn't responsible for too many at a time.

2) How long has the center been opened?

3) How long has the teachers been there; make sure they don't have a revolving door. You want to know who's watching your baby at all times.

4) Are they licensed by the state? Do they accept government programs? I have found that these centers are cleaner because they are audited more than the other centers.

5) Is the center multi-cultural; I know this may sound a bit harsh, but I have found that people with ethnic heritage are more warm and domestic.

6) What is the menu like; you have to know what your angel is eating

7) Does the center has accreditations; are they awarded any "stars" or commencement?

8) What type of certification is the teacher required to carry; such as CDA, are they up to date on this information

9) Is there a discount if you pay monthly; I've found that you get a little extra treatment when you are ahead on your payments.

10) Do they have the Web-Cam program; this allows you to view your baby on-line at all times.

If at all possible, stay home or have a relative watch the baby. I really do hope these answers help you out.

I am a very picky mother when it comes to this kind of thing. I currently pay $187 a week for my 1 1/2 year for daycare. I have to work two jobs to split the bill. The only reason I do it, is because my other two children went there as well, I worked at the center before, and the same employees are still there. My friend thinks I'm crazy for doing so, but I refuse to put my baby in harms way and this is the only place that I feel is safe.

Answer 2

1)How long have you been babysitting?

2)Do you have any experience babysitting children my child's age?

3)What do you like to do with them to keep them amused?

4)How do you soothe a crying infant (or an angry toddler)?

5)What's the best way to put a baby down to sleep? (Make sure that the sitter knows to place an infant on her back to sleep, never on her stomach or side.)

6)Have you taken any babysitting or first-aid courses?

7)Have you ever given children my child's age a bath? (Make sure that the sitter knows to never leave a child alone in or near a filled bathtub for even a minute.)

8)If the sitter is old enough to drive and will be transporting your child: What kind of car do you have and what is your driving record like? (You may want to double-check this with the sitter's parents.) Make sure that the sitter knows how to install and use your child's car seat.

9)If you have a pool: Can you swim? Do you know what to do in a drowning emergency? (Make sure that the sitter knows to never leave a child alone near a pool)

10)If you have pets: Are you allergic to any animals? Are you comfortable around dogs (or cats, boa constrictors, birds, lizards, whatever)?

11)If she's a young sitter: Do you live nearby, and will your parents be home to help if a problem arises?

12)f she'll be serving your children a meal: Can you cook? (If the answer is no and you still like the sitter, microwave dinners or take-out pizza might be the way to go.)

13)Will you drive yourself to our home, or do you need to be picked up or dropped off? (Again, not a deal breaker, but it's nice to know if you have to factor extra driving time into your evening.)

14)What do you expect to be paid? (Do a little research ahead of time so you know what the going rate in your area is.) Do you prefer cash or a check?

15)Can you provide me with a couple of references from former or current babysitting clients?


And after you've found the babysitter:http://www.drspock.com/article/0,1510,5732,00.html?r=related

Answer 3

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Answer 4

I'd start with questions on their experiance,
Have you babysat before?
What ages?
How long?
Do you have a babysitting course?
Firstaid course?
Ask for referances.
Do you have a vehicle?
Then I would ask them senario questions like
What would you do if....
Most importantly let your children meet them first before you hire them and leave them alone for the first time, ask the potential sitter to come spend an hour or 2 with you and your kids and see how they interact with them and most importantly take how your children react to them to heart.
Good Luck

Answer 5

Transportation info; valid driver's license, insurance. If your hiring a nanny - live-in/out preference. House hold chores, parenting philosophies, if they mind helping with pet care (if you have pets). Outline specific off days and/or sick time, benefits info (you don't have to offer these things, but it should be discussed). I know this might seem pretty lenghy, but we used it when I returned to work:

Nanny Interview Questions
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Name:____________________________________
Address:__________________________________
Phone:____________________________________

Circle the
corresponding number:(1 lowest - 5 highest )
Energy/Attitude:(1 2 3 4 5)
Attention/Focus:(1 2 3 4 5)
Flexibility (schedule)(1 2 3 4 5)
Experience:(1 2 3 4 5)
Salary Requirement: (1 2 3 4 5)
Gut feeling about her: (1 2 3 4 5)
Total:

Sample Questions (Pick and choose from the list of questions below to best suit your own unique situation. Remember to let her do most of the talking. Many times interviewers tend to monopolize the conversation and the applicant merely nods her head. You'll never get to know her that way.)
The first 6 questions are designed to help you interview over the phone to narrow down your selection and waste less time.
1. Start with confirming the requirements of the job. You'll be surprised how many applicants call who do not fit the job specifications you advertised. Make sure she is available for the hours you need. If you need someone who drives, make sure she can. Are you CPR certified? If no, would you be willing to get certified? Make sure she's looking for the same living arrangement you are and the same salary.
2. Make a point of listening to how she speaks. Can you hear her or is she so soft spoken you have to struggle to make out what she's saying? Does she speak English well enough that you can understand her? How is her grammar, her manners? Remember, this person is going to have a huge impact on your child's development. If you don't want your child using poor grammar then you don't want a Nanny who does.
3. What experience do you have in caring for children? If you are looking for someone with childcare experience, make sure she's got some.
4. What was your last childcare experience? Why did it end? What were the ages of the children you cared for? Write down her answer and ask this question again during the face-to-face interview.
5. How long do you think you would be willing to stay in this position? When can you start? What do you plan to do when this contract is completed? If a long term commitment is what you're after, make sure she's not leaving for college in 6 months.
6. Tell her that you plan to do a background check on anyone you are considering hiring. Ask her if she will have a problem with this.
If you are satisfied with the answers you received, set up an appointment for a face-to-face interview. Remind her to bring a list of at least three references that you can call.

The Face-to-Face Interview
1.. What do you think children like best about you?
2. What kinds of activities would you do with a (insert ages of your children) year old?
3. Can you give me some examples of problems you have had with kids and how you handled them?
4. What would you say is your discipline style? Can you give me some examples of when you would need to use discipline with a (insert age) year old child?
5. What do you consider to be your most important responsibility in this job?
6. At what point would you call a pediatrician or 911? Have you ever had to handle an emergency? How did you handle it?
7. Have you ever had to manage a morning routine during the school year so that all the children got off to school on time? If no, do you think you could?
8. Do you have any health-related problems that would prevent you from doing this job?
9. Can you cook?
10. How do you feel about performing light housekeeping?
11. Will you be able to adjust your schedule if we need to go out of town or stay late at work from time to time? [Note: Make sure she knows that this would be overtime and she would be compensated with additional pay].
12. What is your relationship with your family like? Do they like the idea of your being a Nanny?
13. What do you like to do in your spare time? Hobbies, activities?
14. What do you like most about yourself? What would you like to improve about yourself?
15. What was your last childcare experience? Why did it end? What were the ages of the children you cared for?
16. What do you think a typical day is like with a (insert the age of your child i.e., infant, toddler, 5 year old, 10 year old.)?
17. How do you feel about furthering your training by attending child development classes or seminars?

If your Nanny position is going to be a Live-in position you need to ask a few more questions of your candidates.
1. What are your sleeping habits? (does she stay out till 2am on week nights?) Do you have a problem with our expecting a Nanny to be home by 11pm (or whatever time you determine) on nights she has to work the next day?
2. Do you like to watch T.V. or listen to your stereo late at night?
3. Do you have any worries or apprehensions about living with a family? What are they? It's best to get these out in the open now so you can try to alleviate them.
4. Do you have any pets you are hoping to bring along?
5. Do you have any friends that will be overnight guests from time to time?
6. Did you run into any problems with your last live-in arrangement? What were they?

If your Nanny candidate has passed all of the above with flying colors, it's time to check her references, perform a background check and if all is well, have her come over and watch the kids for a trial run ( paid of course).

Answer 6

I don't have time to do all 10. But my babysitter took a class. For babysitting. Teaches them what to do in emergency.

Answer 7

1.criminal background check
2.experiences
3.tolerances
4.cook
5.first aid (knowledge)
6.some one who really loves children
7.a video camera is a must have
8.refrence from last baby sitting job

Answer 8

Documentation of completing first aid courses
Years of experience
referances
Licenced
How many other children are there