My husband and I are looking for someone near us to watch our children for us part time, mostly on weekends. I am going to interview the first girl this afternoon and I am wondering what might be good to ask her. Any suggestions?
2007-03-19 09:14:51 · 8 answers · asked by Jessica P 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
Make sure you talk to her about any other routine housework, chores, etc. you would expect her to do. If you expect her to wash the dishes and put them in the dishwasher. Most of my clients ask that whatever we use be put away when done--but I tend to be very picky with my clients and go to the extremes on house cleaning (i.e. if I see dirt I'll go ahead and sweep it up).
I've been babysitting for 10 years and honestly, knowing how do give CPR etc. is beneficial but it's not a requirement. I took the class 10 years ago when I was starting out and I didn't renew my certification but I definately still know how to do all of the stuff.
You might want to have her over for a day while you're home so you can watch how your child acts with her. Invite her over on a weekend or sometime when you can be around and give her a day or two to be with the child. Maybe one day you have a headache and you need the extra help and ask her if she can come over for 2-3 hours to play with your kids. That way you can get feedback from your kids and see what they think of him/her.
I hope this helps. I think the other posts have also been really good and brought up some good points. The #1 is to make sure that you feel comfortable leaving your home with her there. If you're comfortable and your kids are happy I'm sure you are leaving your kids in good hands. :)
2007-03-19 09:46:59 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If she's a teenager, ask her some (or all) of these questions...
1. Do you have any younger brothers or sisters that you babysit for? What are their ages?
2. Have you had experience taking care of other children? If so, how old were they and over what period of time (and/or how often) did you babysit for them?
3. Have you completed any babysitter training, first aid, or CPR courses?
4. Tell me about school. How are your grades? What activities are you involved in?
5. What do you do in your spare time? Do you have any hobbies or other jobs?
6. How do your parents feel about you babysitting?
7. What do you like best about babysitting and being with kids? What do you like least?
8. What kinds of activities do you enjoy doing with children?
9. Do you know what to do in case of an emergency?
10. What is the most difficult situation you have encountered while babysitting? How did you handle it?
11. How much do you charge and what hours are you available?
If the sitter is an adult... you might want to ask some (or all) of these:
1. Describe your babysitting and childcare experience. What are the ages of children you have cared for?
2. Do you still babysit for any of your prior clients?
3. Do you have any children of your own? If so, how old are they?
4. Do you have any special training or certification? Are you trained in first aid or infant/child CPR?
5. What do you like most about babysitting and being with children? What do you like least?
6. Which ages are you most comfortable with? Least comfortable?
7. What is your approach to discipline?
8. How would you handle an emergency situation?
9. What is the most difficult situation you have encountered while babysitting? How did you handle it?
10. What kinds of activities do you enjoy doing with children?
11. What are your personal and career goals? How long do you intend to continue babysitting?
12. What do you do in your spare time? Do you have any hobbies or other jobs?
13. How much do you charge and what hours are you available?
Most importantly: Do you have any questions for me?
2007-03-19 10:31:17 · answer #2 · answered by jacksblog 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
1. Have you ever been convicted of any crimes...misdemeanors or felonies!!! You may think this is a bit intrusive, but you've seen the news lately.
2. How much experience does she have
3. Where and how long ago was their last babysitting job
4. What are some responsibilities they have within their own homes
5. Do they have any siblings that they take care of
6. What are their hobbies (get a since of the person themselves)
2007-03-19 09:20:41 · answer #3 · answered by Chen 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would ask her about any experience she has had and what all she can do. For example, change diapers, give baths, and take care of emergencies. I would ask her hypothetical questions on scenarios to see if she could handle a serious situation the way you think it should be handled.
Ex. "What would you do if Janie fell out of the tree?"
those kinds of things....emergency situations and even normal situations.
2007-03-19 09:19:56 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is there a polite / tactful way of asking if they have any sort of criminal record?
Even though a babysitter should follow your guidelines for discipline, I would still want to ask what their views are on the subject.
2007-03-19 09:19:52 · answer #5 · answered by mykidsrsaints 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask how she would entertain them, how she would discipline them, how she would handle them fighting, what she plans to do while she's with them. You want to get at what she really thinks of kids - so this is not just any old easy job to her mind - and that she has skills in helping them, not just making sure they don't choke to death. cpr is fine, but it's really not the major issue, is it?
2007-03-19 10:16:46 · answer #6 · answered by cassandra 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You know better: it's about your children and how you want the babysitter to look and care for them.
2007-03-19 09:18:59 · answer #7 · answered by Robert W 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are you trained in CPR and the Heimlich? Those would be good questions. Also ask for recommendations.
2007-03-19 09:18:04 · answer #8 · answered by Jamie B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋