Babysitting Guide
Babysitters should not advertise their availability for babysitting jobs in supermarkets, window boards, or chemists. The babysitclub allows you to show your anonymous profile safely, and contact with parents can be made through the unique website messaging system.
The
concern with open advertising besides making your phone number public,
is that it is more difficult to determine the suitability of the employer.
Babysitters must get to know their employer before taking a job.
Check references if it will be the first time working for a family.
Ask to speak with previous babysitters. If contacted by a person unfamiliar
to you, ask who recommended you and check it out before accepting
the job. To protect yourself, make sure you or your parents know and
trust the family for whom you will be babysitting. Let your parents
or family know the address and phone number of where you will be in
case of emergency.
Know how many children you will be babysitting. Get specific information
about the bed times, foods, medicines and any other special instructions.
Be sure that you are able to meet all of the requests before accepting
the job.
Ask if there are any pets that you may be allergic to.
Know who you will be babysitting. Babysitting a 6-month-old baby is
very different from babysitting an 8-year-old child. That is why you
will need to know the ages of the children ahead of time. If you don't
feel comfortable babysitting a very small baby, or if listening to
a 2-year-old ask 9,000 questions makes you want to scream, then do
not take the job.You
must feel that you are in control while you are on the job, and if
you're unsure, it's better to wait for the next job.
Ask for a resume or a list of references. Parents, know how many children
your babysitter is capable of caring for. Asking a babysitter to be
responsible for more children then they are comfortable with compromises
the children's safety - your babysitter can't be in those many places
at once. Parents may wish to use two or more babysitters if the situation
warrants it.
Personally interview several prospective babysitters and observe their
interaction with your children. This meeting will let you see how
the sitter works with the children and will help the children to become
familiar with the sitter. After the interview, ask your children what
they thought of the perspective sitter.
Parents should outline the babysitter's duties and responsibilities
and discuss an imagined emergency situation and how he or she might
react. Ask the sitter how they would handle misbehavior. When you
decide on a babysitter who meets your high standards, discuss the
hours and fees for service. Ask to speak with the babysitters parents.
Also write down his or her name, home address, and telephone number
and, if an adult, the driver's license number. As a parent you want
the best possible care for your children while you are away from them.
Check all references, contact the sitter's past employers, teachers,
counselors, relatives, friends, or neighbors and ask about the sitter's
qualifications for childcare. Before you hire anyone to watch over
your children, however, make sure that he or she is a mature, experienced,
and capable individual who truly cares about the welfare of children.
Babysitters preparation for a job back to the top
Take the babysitting responsibility seriously. Responsible babysitters
can prepare even before their first babysitting job. Many schools
have babysitter-training programs. Prospective babysitters learn how
children behave at their various ages, how to play with them, meal
preparation and discipline.
It's a good idea to learn basic first aid and infant and child CPR
before embarking on a babysitting career. This is something you should
talk over with your parents, because learning these things requires
a real commitment. You will have to attend courses to learn the proper
way of performing these skills. But it's worth the trouble to feel
confident that you're trained to help in an emergency, and it gives
parents real peace of mind.
Get directions to the job location and make arrangements to get to
the location and return home from the babysitting job. Don't wait
until the last minute, check with your parents or older sibling before
you leave your house to make sure that they can pick you up at the
right time. If the parents you will be babysitting for will take you
home, that's great, but don't assume that they can or will. Just be
sure to ask them before they leave the house. If you live within walking
distance and you know that the parents won't be home until after dark,
ask a parent, sibling, or the parent you will be babysitting for to
walk you home.
The babysitter should arrive at the home early, up to 30 minutes if
it will be the first time the babysitter has been to the house. This
time is critical for parents to provide the babysitter with instructions
and a tour of the house. Before the parents leave An information sheet
must be filled out and left behind with the sitter. We have compiled
a sample information sheet that you may download and print. Fill out
as many areas as possible, more information is preferable.
The babysitter check list and instruction sheet back to the top
This
is a 194k
Adobe PDF downloadable file. You will require Adobe Acrobat reader
( free
from Adobe.com).or click on the Check List link on the left menu
bar
It is preferable to have the babysitter meet and interact with the
children during the initial interview prior to babysitting being required.
If this was not possible, introduce the babysitter to the children.
It is a good idea to discuss the family rules with both the babysitter
and the children present.
Parents should take the babysitter on a tour of the home and
check for any special locks or security systems, windows that cannot
be climbed out of, where the telephones are located and anything else
that might be a problem in case of an emergency. Check for dog or
cat flaps and lock any unlocked doors or windows.
Parents should point out which areas of the home that the children
are not allowed in (garage, basement, office etc). Note the location
of the first aid kit, torches, and the fire extinguisher. During the
walk through, check for hazards and things that the children can get
into, such as matches, lighter fluid, electric cords, plastic bags,
medications, or anything else that may be dangerous. Parents should
ensure that all knives, power tools, razor blades, scissors, and other
objects that can cause injury are stored in locked cabinets or storage
areas.
Check that swimming pools are completely enclosed with a barrier,
such as a locked fence or cover. Paddling pools should be emptied
when not in use. Windows and balcony doors should have childproof
latches. Balconies should have protective barriers to prevent children
from slipping through bars. Safety gates should be installed at all
open stairways if required. If a gate is not provided, place a barrier
of some kind in front of the stairway that a child cannot climb over.
Make sure pressure gates are firmly in place and can't be dislodged
by the child.Be
sure the home is free of clutter on the floors and especially on and
near stairways.
Be sure the babysitter meets the pets. The parents should introduce
the babysitter to the family dog, cat, or other pets. Animals may
react to having a different person in the house and the introduction
will reduce the pet's stress. Let the babysitter know if the pets
need feeding and where the food is located.
The
parents should explain to the babysitter how they wish misbehavior
to be handled. The babysitter should ask the parents if they are expecting
any phone calls, and how to handle them. If there is an answering
machine in the home, tell the parents that you would like to use it
to screen callers.
Having visitors while babysitting is a bad policy. Babysitters should
always get approval to have visitors of the opposite sex. Check with
parents whether children are to have a hallway light of other light
on after retiring. Check how parents want room left, if the bedroom
doors are to be open or closed. Even then, the doors should be left
open slightly so the children will have the security of knowing the
babysitter is still there, and make any call of distress more noticeable.
Parents should let the babysitter know if they are allowed to do homework,
watch TV, use the radio, computer, or phone after the children have
gone to bed.
Parents must specify the amount, time and method of delivery. Parents
may even wish to set a small alarm clock for the babysitter if the
time of medication delivery is critical. For most medications try
to leave just the amount necessary for the time that you are away.
This will reduce that chance of accident over medication. We suggest
using a 'day by day' style container that is clearly marked with the
child's name if there is more than one child in the home.
Medicine should be kept in a locked storage place that children can't
reach.
Bathing an infant is not recommended. Unless specifically instructed
by the parents, do not bathe a baby. A clean face cloth in lukewarm
water will suffice in most cases for cleaning the skin. Bathing a
baby calls for utmost care and supervision; aside from the risk of
hot water scalds, there is always the danger of drowning.
If the babysitter is to bathe a child, they must never leave the child
unattended in the bath, even for a minute. Small children can drown
in very little water. If the phone rings, let the answering machine
pick it up, or let the caller call back. If the child is bashful and
is embarrassed to be naked, the babysitter can take a book or magazine
into the bathroom. The babysitter can sit on the floor or on the closed
toilet lid and "read" while the child bathes, and their face will
be hidden. Having the child wear their bathing suit in the bath is
always another good option.Parents
should inform the babysitter of specific bath times.
Parents should layout some clean clothing for the children to change
into. Loose, baggy clothing can be dangerous if it gets caught on
furniture, cribs, playpens, etc., while children climb, play or scamper
about the room. Clothing can also be a problem if it becomes tightly
wound around a baby.
Babysitters need to be on the alert for hazards such as these, and
adjust the clothing so that it cannot become tangled. Parents should
discuss whether the babysitter will handle brushing and flossing teeth.
The babysitter should know if they are to give the children anything
to eat or drink before bed. Find out what is an acceptable snack for
the children and only have that snack in view.
While
preparing any simple meals, always turn pot handles inward on the
stove so children can't pull them down, and try to use the rear stove
elements whenever possible. Babysitter's must remember to remove infant
bibs after the meal is finished. Parents should explain if the children
have any food allergies.
The
babysitter should protect themselves and the children by locking all
the windows and doors after the parents leave. Keep curtains and shades
closed. Do not open the door to anyone unless the parents have told
you who to expect and how to identify them. If the babysitter is in
doubt, call the parents or police. If the telephone rings, do not
tell the caller that the children are alone with a babysitter. Tell
the caller that the parents can't come to the phone at that moment
and ask the caller to leave a message. If you receive unusual or obscene
telephone calls, hang up and call the police. The babysitter's job
is to care for the children in their charge - and nothing else.
The babysitter should be with the kids every minute they are awake.
It can be pretty tempting to leave the children in one room while
watching TV in another room, but kids can get into trouble very quickly.
As the babysitter you should never leave the children at any time.
When the children go to sleep, they should be checked regularly, every
30 minutes. The babysitter should stay awake during his or her stay
in the house.
If the children are taken outside to the garden, they must be watched
carefully. It is the parents' responsibility to let the babysitter
know whom the children may play with or visit. If the children are
with the babysitter in a public place, they must be watched carefully
and not permitted to wander. Avoid sending the children to public
restrooms alone. When you return to the home, if something seems suspicious
(broken window or door), call the police immediately from another
house.
The
babysitter should never use the phone for more than 5 minutes. Parents
must be able to call the home to see how things are going. If it is
evening, turn on the porch/outside lights and keep them on. If you
hear any suspicious noises, do not go outside. If you suspect someone
is outside, call the police immediately.
If for any reason you must leave the house, TAKE
THE CHILDREN WITH YOU! Never let children lock a bathroom door.
Go in the bathroom with young children to assure this doesn't happen.
If the door does become locked it should be possible to unlock it
by inserting a pin into the hole on the outside of the doorknob. Ask
the parents to demonstrate this procedure for you and know where the
unlocking pin is. When not in use, keep the bathroom door closed and
the toilet seat and lid down.
If
the babysitter will be changing the baby's nappies, they must plan
on having everything within immediate reach so they won't have to
step away from the infant even for a second. If they are not constantly
watching, babies can roll over and fall from changing tables or other
high places. Have diapers, pins, etc., nearby so the baby is under
constant supervision. The babysitter should be sure that the crib
is as safe as they can make it. Check the room between the mattress
and the side of the crib, if there is more than two fingers' width,
an infant's head could get caught in between and the infant could
suffocate. Roll up a couple of large bath towels and place them in
the space. If the slats are more than 2- 3/8 inches apart, the baby's
body can slide between the slats and suffocate. If the child is old
enough to stand up, the parents should set the mattress at its lowest
position, with the side rail at its highest position. Check the mattress
support frequently to make sure it hasn't become unhooked from the
end panels.
Any toys left in the crib should never be ones that could be used
to help the child climb out. Cribs with decorative knobs on the corner
posts can be a strangulation hazard. Children's clothing and strings
or necklaces can catch on the protrusions, especially if the child
is trying to climb out. Crib gyms should be removed from the crib
when the baby is five months old or can push upon hands and knees,
otherwise the baby can get his/her chin across the crib gym or catch
clothing on it and strangle.
Children
should never be left in a play pen unsupervised.The babysitter should
be aware of hazards to a child left alone in a playpen. A string of
toys across the top or even to one side of the playpen could be a
strangulation risk. Drop side mesh playpens and portable mesh cribs
used with a side left down, can pose a serious hazard to newborns
and infants. When the side is down, the mesh forms a loose pocket
into which an infant can fall or roll and suffocate. Drop sides should
always be up and locked securely in position when a child is in the
playpen or crib.
Don't put any toys in the playpen that a child can climb on to get
out. And little fingers can get caught in hinges. Babies in carriages,
walkers or strollers should never be left unattended, especially in
an area around stairs or ramps. A malfunction of the carriage's safety
brake or a sudden movement by the child could tip it over. Walkers
offer limited balance to a child not yet completely able to stand
or walk. If unstable, walkers can easily tip over. Stay with the child
when he or she is in the walker, and assist it over thresholds or
carpeting. A child in a high chair requires almost constant attention.
Babies can quickly slip out of a high chair if not properly strapped
in.
Make sure that any safety belts or straps on the high chair are securely
fastened and that the tray is properly attached. Don't let the child
stand up while in the chair, and keep other children from climbing
on it. Keep the chair far enough away from tables and walls so that
the child can't push the chair over.
As a babysitter, don't snoop about the house. Stay out of drawers,
bedroom closets, the basement, etc. If the children see you doing
this, you may be unjustifiably blamed for missing items later.
Once the kids are put to bed, then the babysitter is free to do what
they want - as long as the parents said it was OK before they left.
Once the children are asleep, the babysitter will still need to keep
an ear out for any noises. Nightmares, a drink of water or anything
that wakes a child and gets them out of bed is something they need
to be there for.
A good babysitter is good at playing with children. The infant likes
objects to throw, hold, drop, tear, grab, and roll. The danger here
is that they like to put things in their mouth. If the object is small
enough the child could choke and stop breathing. A good rule of thumb
is not to let the infant have anything smaller than their own fist.
Toddlers get into everything. The toddler likes to bang, push, pull,
put in, take out, jump, draw, and colour.
Some of the dangers to watch for, swallowing things, falling, and
poisons. A toddler may pull a hot pot off the stove when the babysitter
isn't watching. A child may take the opportunity to play with matches
when no one is watching. Three-year-olds and up like an active physical
game, arts and crafts, blocks, pretend, games of skill, and reading.
Be careful of tables and objects the child could fall into, around
stoves and heaters, matches and lighters.
As the babysitter, bring some things to play with like a notebook,
magazines, colored paper, color markers, tape, and torch. Surprises
for the children will make the job easy for you and fun for them.
Make a game of putting things back in their place. Just a reminder
that whether you're actually playing with the children or supervising
them, keep them within safe play areas, preferably within your sight.
Keep
them away from potential danger areas in the home such as the kitchen,
bathroom, workshop and storage areas. They move fast, so you will
have to be able to move even faster! Before bedtime, calm children
down. Don't play active games. Rather, play a quiet game, or read
them a book (not a scary one!).
When parents return home, ask the babysitter if the children are safe
and if anything unusual happened, telephone calls, visits, and so
on. As the babysitter you should report bad behavior but always report
the good behavior of the children as well. You may also consider keeping
a journal of activities. By recording events and activities you can
better describe for the parents all that has taken place.
Most important, when the babysitter has left, talk to your children
about what happened while you were gone. Ask them what games they
played and about any other activities. Ask your children whether they
like and trust the babysitter and if anything happened that made them
uncomfortable or afraid.
Getting the babysitter home Parents should make sure that the babysitter
is escorted home, and wait until he or she is safely inside their
home before you leave.
The babysitter should make certain that an adult escorts them. As
a babysitter, if your employer appears intoxicated, insist that someone
else take you home, or call someone else to come to pick you up.
Parents are responsible for providing a safe environment for both
their children and the babysitter. By properly preparing your home
for your absence, you minimize the risks of being away.
Babysitters must be constantly aware of where the children are and
what it is that they are doing. A well-prepared babysitter will be
highly respected and greatly appreciated by parents.
We
hope that we have given both parents and babysitters a lot to think
about.
