Finding a trustworthy babysitter for your family is no small task. You want the peace of mind that your child is safe with your sitter so you can focus on what you need to focus on–whether that’s a work project, wedding, or date night. Don’t worry–Jovie’s childcare experts have got your back with our top tips for finding the perfect sitter who can put your mind at ease while you’re away. Let’s dive into our top tips for finding a babysitter you can trust for your family!
How to Find a Trustworthy Babysitter Near You
Finding the perfect babysitter is a big deal and can require a lot of thought and attention. For busy working parents or parents who are running out of space on their mental to-do list, finding, interviewing, and vetting someone you can trust with your family can feel like a daunting task. Luckily, services like Jovie provide families with access to screened professional babysitters. This can save you time and energy, so all you have to do is look forward to meeting your new favorite babysitter.
Key Questions to Ask When Interviewing a Babysitter
When considering a potential babysitter, it’s a good idea to have a conversation to assess if it will be a good fit. Is their personality a good match for your child? Do they have the skills and experience you’re looking for in a babysitter? Prepare some questions ahead of time – these can range from logistical to hypothetical to get a sense of how they would handle specific scenarios with your child. Some potential questions include:
- Tell me about your past childcare experience. How long have you been babysitting, and what ages do you have experience with?
- What relevant training do you have (CPR, first aid, childcare classes)? (All of our Jovie caregivers receive training about child safety and age-appropriate fun with kids, so you know a Jovie babysitter is well-informed!)
- Are you available on short notice?
- What do you find most fulfilling about caring for children? Most challenging?
- How do you typically deal with a child who isn’t listening well?
- What would you do if my child fell and hurt themself while playing outside?
The interview is also an excellent time to share specific expectations, needs, or concerns with the potential sitter. For example, if you have strict rules around screen time in your home, share them with the sitter to ensure they’re comfortable enforcing them. If you have specific transportation needs, make sure the sitter has reliable transportation and is comfortable driving with your child in their vehicle.
Follow Up With Your Babysitter’s References for Peace of Mind
If you’re interested in moving forward with a sitter after the interview, ask them for some references. Families they’ve previously worked with can verify the information the babysitter provided during the interview and offer feedback about what they liked (or didn’t) about the sitter. If a sitter can’t provide references, that might be a red flag that they don’t have the experience you’re looking for. All of Jovie’s sitters have gone through both background and reference checks.
Why a Babysitter Test Run is the Key to the Right Fit
Paying for a “test run” with a new babysitter is perfectly appropriate before hiring them for further work. Ask them to spend a short amount of time with your kids while you are home, maybe 30 minutes to an hour. Don’t hover, but stay close by in case you’re needed, so you can get a sense of how the sitter interacts with your child (and how your child reacts to them). If your child is old enough, ask them how they felt about the sitter after they’ve left. If your child had fun and is excited to spend more time with them, that’s a good sign! If they didn’t like the sitter, ask why. Sometimes kids try to test a new sitter to see if they will enforce their parents’ rules, so your child might be reacting to them upholding expectations you talked about during the interview. But if your child didn’t like the babysitter for another reason, listen. Kids have strong intuitions, and it’s important that your child feels safe and comfortable with their babysitter.
Ready To Find a Trustworthy Babysitter?
Finding a trustworthy babysitter is easier than ever with Jovie. Jovie conducts background checks, talks to references, and performs childcare and child safety training with all its sitters. With Jovie, you can rest assured that your child is in trustworthy and capable hands. Find the perfect sitter for your family!
