Hiring A Baby Sitter

Once you have a list of possible babysitters, you can begin the screening process:
Check references carefully. Contact previous employers, teachers, neighbors, and relatives and ask them about the candidate’s qualifications as a baby sitter.
Interview potential sitters. Look for candidates that are responsible, honest, patient, positive, competent and caring. Here are some questions you may want to ask:

• how long have you been baby sitting?
• what age groups have you worked with?
• do you know cardiopulmonary resuscitation (cpr) and the heimlich maneuver?
• have you taken any baby sitting training or first aid courses?
• what days and hours are you available to sit?

Also remember to ask the candidate how he or she would handle a difficult situation, an emergency, an illness, or poor behavior from your child (look for ideas that are positive and helpful), and allow the candidate time to ask you questions.

Observe sitters. You want a sitter with whom you and your children will be comfortable. You should observe their interactions with you and your children. Here are some tips:

• choose a sitter with whom you can relate — someone who shares your ideas about taking care of children and with whom you can be frank.
• choose a sitter who loves children and relates well to them. The baby sitter should:
° give children plenty of attention and enjoy playing with them
° use a gentle tone of voice
° smile and laugh with children
° use positive ways to help children behave (not hitting, slapping, shouting at or scaring them)
° keep the child comfortable and clean

Consider the age of the potential sitter.
In terms of the baby-sitter’s age, here are some things to consider:

• what is the age of the child or the ages of the children for which the sitter will be responsible? In general, the younger the child, the older the sitter should be. For example, you probably wouldn’t want a 12- or 13-year-old taking care of a child under age three.
• how long will the sitter need to watch your children? If an overnight stay is required, the sitter should be older.
• many capable baby-sitters are preteens or young teens. However, if your sitter is under the age of 16 and something happens to your children while you are away, you are legally responsible

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