You’re about to leave your child with a babysitter for the first time. You’ve done your research, interviewed several candidates, and finally found the perfect fit. But before you hand over the keys, there’s one very important step: checking references.
By asking the right questions about a potential babysitter’s references, you can avoid a major disaster down the road. To save you the trouble of coming up with them yourself, we’ve compiled a list of questions for any babysitting reference.
44 Questions that will give you a better idea of what kind of a babysitter the person is:
- How do you know the babysitter?
- How long have you known the babysitter?
- How long has the babysitter been babysitting?
- What are the babysitter’s strengths when it comes to caring for children?
- Does the babysitter have experience with children who have special needs?
- Is the babysitter comfortable administering medication to children?
- What does the babysitter do when a child is acting up or having a tantrum?
- Does the babysitter have experience with potty training?
- What’s the babysitter’s typical bedtime routine?
- What does the babysitter like to do for fun with the kids she/he sits for?
- Does the babysitter have any pets of his/her own to bring along?
- Is the babysitter comfortable watching more than one child at a time?
- What are the babysitter’s thoughts on screen time (TV, iPad, etc.) for children?
- Does the babysitter have any food allergies or dietary restrictions themselves?
- Can the sitter do light housework while watching the children (e.g., laundry, dishes, cleaning up around the house)?
- Would you say the babysitter is reliable and punctual?
- In what capacity have you interacted with the babysitter?
- Can you give a general overview of the nature of the babysitter’s childcare experience?
- Does the babysitter have training or certification in CPR or first aid?
- Is he/she able to remain calm under pressure?
- What do you think is the babysitter’s approach to discipline?
- Can he/she handle sibling rivalry and conflict resolution?
- Do you think the babysitter is comfortable with technology, such as using a video monitor or our security system?
- Why do you think the babysitter would be a good fit for our family?
- Would the sitter be willing to do light housework while caring for my child?
- Is the babysitter comfortable transporting my child short distances?
- What is the babysitter’s policy on using electronic devices while on duty?
- How would you describe the babysitter’s personality?
- Do you think the babysitter is responsible? Why or why not?
- Has the babysitter ever been late or not shown up at all for a scheduled shift?
- Are there areas where the babysitter can improve?
- Do you think the babysitter is patient? Why or why not?
- Does the babysitter feel comfortable following rules and instructions?
- What do you think the babysitter’s relationship is like with the children?
- Does the babysitter seem to enjoy spending time with children?
- Do you think the babysitter is capable of handling multiple children at once?
- Is the babysitter good at solving problems?
- What is the babysitter’s policy on food and snacks?
- Would you recommend the babysitter to others?
- Would you say the babysitter is someone you’d trust in your home?
- Do you have any concerns or reservations about the sitter that you’d like to share?
- Has the sitter ever had to deal with a difficult situation while babysitting your children? If so, how did he or she handle it?
- Would you hire them again?
- Do they keep you updated on how the night is going?
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you introduce yourself in a reference check?
When you’re doing a reference check, you must introduce yourself and explain why you are reaching out to the person. This will help put the person at ease and make them feel more comfortable sharing information about the applicant or candidate.
You should also take the time to briefly describe your role and explain how you came to be interested in this applicant. In this way, you’ll build a professional relationship with the reference and leave a positive impression that can help you in your decision-making process.
Overall, approaching a reference check with confidence, clarity, and professionalism is important for obtaining useful information about the applicant’s qualifications and suitability for the position.
What should you look for in a babysitter?
You should look for someone reliable and trustworthy. This means the babysitter should be punctual, dependable, and able to follow your child’s routine. You should also pay attention to the experience and skills of the babysitter.
Ideally, they should have experience caring for children and be familiar with basic childcare practices such as feeding, changing diapers, and putting children to bed. It’s also important to pay attention to the babysitter’s personality and whether they will be a good fit for your family.
In general, you should look for someone friendly, patient, compassionate, and able to interact well with children of all ages. Choosing the right babysitter can make a big difference in making sure your child gets the care and attention they need while you’re away.
What skills do you learn from babysitting?
Babysitting is a great way to gain valuable skills that you can use both professionally and personally. These skills include communication, organization, and problem-solving, which are important for success in any field.
Babysitting especially helps you build strong interpersonal skills by exposing you to different people and teaching you how to communicate effectively with them. You’ll also learn how to manage a household and stay organized while ensuring that everything runs smoothly. In addition, babysitting will teach you how to handle difficult situations and resolve issues effectively, which will boost your confidence in your abilities as a caregiver.
All in all, babysitting is a great opportunity to learn and grow, as it strengthens several practical skills that are important for both personal development and professional success.
Conclusion
Asking your references questions like these will give you a comprehensive picture of what it would be like to work with the babysitter in question. If all the answers are positive, you’ve probably found a keeper!
But even if there are a few negative answers, that doesn’t mean the babysitter isn’t worth considering; after all, no one is perfect. The most important thing is that you now have more information on which to base your decision.
