What do you look for in a babysitter?

Question

how old
how well do you like to know them
training
THANKS

Answer 1

Age: At least 15, and 5 years older than my own children. An elderly person is my preference, and in 20 years I have hired only two teenagers.

Familiarity: I want to know them, their family, their church, and some of their friends.

Training: I want to know that they are mature, can respond well in an emergency, have spent time with lots of children, and that they have patience with children -- never becoming angry or upset.

I choose a female over a male for obvious reasons, although some boys would be fine in the right situation. I just don't choose boys. I also don't use brothers or sisters except in a rare emergency. I don't like to put one child in authority over another. It feels like a setup to me.

I pay well and am very appreciative of the people who watch my children.

Answer 2

I would say that how old they need to be depends on how old your kids are. I wouldn't leave an infant or toddler with a 12 or 13-year old, but they might be okay with a preschooler or so. It also depends on the sitter's maturity. Not all 13-year olds are going to be able to handle the job the same. Ask around and see if anyone you know can give you a name. That way if you know that they've been happy with them, then you should have less to worry about (you'll obviously still want to talk to them first and not just call and ask them to come the day you need them).

First aid training, including CPR is always a plus as well.

Answer 3

Look for someone with CPR/First Aid certification. Someone with experience (and ask for references if you don't know them, accept no less than 3 and actually contact them). They should be no less than 16 (with a drivers license and no tickets, it shows that they are responsible) Talk with the sitters parents and ask about them, ask about how well they behave. Invite them over for lunch a few weeks before hand so you can get to know them and have them interact with the kids while you are there (act like you have paperwork to complete and it needs your full attention so that you can watch the sitter with the kids).
Always leave more than one emergency number even if it has to be a close friend who you trust with your kids, you never know what can come up.
I wouldn't ever leave my kids with someone that I didn't know personally (or through a direct friend, ex. a friends teenager). Treat it like you are hiring an employee because thats exactly what you are doing, except it's much more importiant because it's for your kids.

http://www.bluesuitmom.com/family/childcare/sitterquestions.html

http://www.babysitters.com/interviewsitter.aspx

some baby sitting questions can be found at the above links
I hope this helps. I used to be a nanny so I know that you have to respect all wishes of the family of the children you are sitting, just know that if you sense any sarcasm they are too young to be sitting your children.

Answer 4

I am a babysitter/daycare provider for kids and have been for the past 17 years or more. The first thing you need to do is find someone who has experience in working with and taking care of children and make sure they references as well to back up what they say. I know all of my bosses have looked into my references and even contacted them as well.

the second thing you should do which all my bosses did was see me in action. Have whoever you are thinking of hiring feed the baby, diaper the baby, play with the baby, hold the baby......and have them do it while you are there so you can see how they interact with your child and how they take care of your child. My boss now when I went in for the interview had me hold, feed, diaper and dress her son just so she could see how I would handle her child and things and she had her at the time 8 year old daughter come in talk to me and ask me any questions she might of had. Ive been there 3 years now and proud to say have a great relationship with the kids and my boss.

You should look for someone not only experienced in taking care of children but someone who will be there for the long haul.......both the women I worked for and work for now wanted to know and make sure I would be there for the long haul and be dependable as well. The first family I worked for I was there for 14 years caring for their 3 children and when they all started school and the hours got to where I wasnt making enough money it was then I decided to find another job......for awhile I worked in the daycare business as well. Ive been working for my current boss now for 3 years and the children are 3 and 11 now.

Also you might want to make sure they have what are called the act 34 and 151 clearances.... these documents will let you know that the person you are thinking of hiring has never been convicted of abusing a child in anyway in their past. I have them and the woman I work for now asked for them to be sure she was getting someone safe.

Good luck in finding the right sitter for your children........remember your children are a priceless treasure from God and finding someone to care for them that you can trust and that they can trust is one of the most important things you will do for yourself and your child.

Answer 5

Age 12 or over, I like to know them well or spend time talking to them. Asking questions about diffent situations and ask them how they would react. It is always best for them to know CPR and basic first aid but as long as they can keep their head and call 911 that is okay w/me. I like to give new baby sitters a chance because I remember everyone being afraid of me because I did not have much experience however I did a good job and the kids liked me. I think your kids should also be comfortable w/them, I would ask my kids what the baby sitter did. Ones who raid the fridge and talk on the phone are not so bad but how they react and pay attention to your children is the important thing.

Answer 6

Depends on the age of a child. If you are looking for someone to watch a baby, then no younger than 15. Also, contact other people they have babysat for and see if they are good. Someone with a cheery personality, and that will play with the kids. I look for people that are involved in Church, because I feel like I can trust them more and they are more involved and caring for other people. They just need to know basic medical stuff. And ALWAYS leave a phone number where you can be reached.

Answer 7

My biggest thing is my gut. Going for the gut reaction really is important. Don't misunderstand me.. I am talking about judging them before they are given a chance. I always get a feeling about a person from their voice and eyes more than anything else...

I like to get to know the them.. then let them play with the kids with me. My kids will tell me if this is a good person and whether or not they accept them to watch them.

Reference, background checks, how scheduled they are, CPR + infant CPR and first aid. Babysitting classes and how often they are around.

You could say I am quite picky but these are MY kids and in this world? I ain't taking NO CHANCES ON NO BODY. My mother even annoys me cause she does not do things the way I like it.

Answer 8

I'd say at least 15 years old, someone with good references, and personally I feel the most comfortable leaving children around someone who a) has experience taking care of kids, b) has some kind of cpr/first aid/medical training, you just in case, and c) someone I know, in other words I wouldn't leave my kids with someone I just met; if the potential babysitter is a reference from somone else and I do not know him/her I'd have him/her over sometime before letting them watch my children. Give my kids a chance to get to know him/her while I'm still around, give myself a chance to watch him/her with my kids and make sure they really are someone I'd want to leave my kids alone with.

Answer 9

Definately make sure you know the child PERSONALLY. There was a girl in my class in highschool who was raped while babysitting by the older brother of the child. You NEVER know who's out there.
As long as they are minimum legal age (some states its 16 to be alone with a child), I say as long as you know the child than it is fine. Set up a meeting to watch him/her play with your kids. See how/what they do, do not step in to help if your child fusses or cries see how they handle it. Step away and than come back and check on them randomly, simulate being away.
No training necessary other than you being very specific (even writing down) instructions on feeding/changing and activity (do you want your child in front of the TV the whole time or do you expect the sitter to entertain your child with toys?).
I baby sat one time when I was in early highschool and they did not teach me to burp the kid. They left me with him, and all of a sudden his stomach was as solid as a rock and he looked so uncomfortable, I felt so bad. I had to call a friend to have him instruct me on how to burp the baby. There's alot of things to train them on, most of them personal. Good luck.
I would completely loose my mind if I was about to look into babysitting for my child.

Answer 10

Experience!