Baby-Sitters

Educate your Kids
"Baby-Sitters"

BABY SITTERS

Whether you work full time outside the home or are simply going out for
the evening, you want the best possible care for your child(ren) while
you are away from them.  Before you hire anyone to watch over your
child(ren) make sure that he/she is a mature, experienced, and capable
individual who truly cares about the welfare of children.  Check all
references, and make sure to observe the baby-sitter with your
child(ren).

Above all, ask your child(ren) if they like and trust the baby-sitter
and what activities took place while you were gone.  The National Center
for Missing and Exploited Children has prepared the following guidelines
for parents in finding and training a baby-sitter and preparing your
home for temporary childcare.  Also included is some important safety
tips for you and your child(ren).

FINDING A BABY-SITTER

The best sources of childcare information are the recommendations of
family, friends and neighbors.  You may also advertise for a baby-sitter
in the newspaper or through your local high school, church, or civic
organization.

If you are new to the area, check the yellow pages of the telephone book
(under “Sitting Services”) for a list of child care services.  Certain
sitting services advertise that their sitters are “bonded”.  This means
that the baby sitting service has purchased an insurance bond that will
cover certain damages or loss of your property.  The bond most likely
will not protect your child(ren) in any way.  Determine whether the
sitting service has made a criminal history check on or otherwise has
screened their employees.

In some states, you may be able to obtain a listing of childcare
services through the County Office for Children or even the police
department.

HIRING THE BABY-SITTER

Once you have made a list of possible baby-sitters, check their
references carefully.  Contact the sitters past employers, teachers,
counselors, relatives, friends or neighbors and ask them about the
sitter’s qualifications for childcare.  Most important, interview
several prospective sitters personally and observe their interaction
with your child(ren).  Look for mature and responsible people who listen
and respond well to your child(ren) and appear relaxed and happy with
them.

Last, outline the baby-sitters duties and responsibilities and discuss
an imagined emergency situation and how he/she might react.  When you
decide on a baby-sitter who meets your high standards, discuss the hours
and fees for service.  Also write down his/her name, home address, and
telephone number and, if an adult, the driver’s license number.

WHEN THE BABY-SITTER ARRIVES

Ask the baby-sitter to arrive at least 15 minutes before you depart.
Make sure that you let the sitter know exactly where you will be and how
you can be reached.  Write down the address and telephone number of
where you will be.  Also make a list of emergency telephone numbers: a
friend or relative, the child(ren)’s doctor, the police department, the
fire department, and the poison control center.

Carefully go over any family rules and daily routines, paying special
attention to eating or sleeping arrangements.  Take the sitter on a tour
of the house, showing him/her any first aid equipment and all doors and
possible exits.  It is a good idea to discuss the family rules regarding
television, snacks, and bedtime with both the babysitter and the
child(ren) present.  It is the parent’s responsibility to let the
child(ren) know what rules are to be obeyed when the parents are out of
the house.

SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE BABY-SITTER

1) Lock all doors when the parents leave.

2) Watch the child(ren) carefully and keep them away from dangerous
objects or chemicals to protect them from household accidents.

3) No visitors are permitted and do not leave the child(ren) in the
house alone at any time.

4) Check on the child(ren) regularly after they fall asleep.  The sitter
needs to stay awake.

5) If the telephone rings, do not tell the caller that the child(ren)
are alone with a baby-sitter.  Ask the caller to leave a message for the
parents.

6) DO NOT open the door to anyone unless the parents have given prior
permission.

7) If the child(ren) are taken outside to the yard, they must be watched
carefully.  (It is the parent’s responsibility to let the baby-sitter
know whom the child(ren) may play with or visit).

8) If the child(ren) are with the baby-sitter in a public place, the
child(ren) must be watched carefully and not permitted to wander.  Avoid
sending the child(ren) to public restrooms alone.

YOUR RETURN HOME

When you return home, ask the baby-sitter if the child(ren) are safe and
if anything unusual happened, telephone calls, visits, and so on.  Make
sure that the baby-sitter is escorted home, and wait until he/she is
safely inside before you leave.

Most important, when the baby-sitter has left, talk with your child(ren)
about what happened while you were gone.  Ask them what games they
played and about any other activities.  Ask you child(ren) if anything
happened that made them feel uncomfortable or afraid.

For more information please contact us at:

info@bannerkids.org

1-702-898-4600

" It doesn't matter which Organization finds the Children, but how fast

we find the Children."

Educate your Kids "Baby-Sitters"

Educate your Kids
"Baby-Sitters"