Hiring a Babysitter
Posted by admin on 09 Jun 2008 at 08:40 am | Tagged as: Hiring A Nanny, Nanny Services
When families decide to have a nanny in their home, they think about what it means to have a new person on her own with their children. They think about the changes that will take place and how the kids will accept the stranger. In most cases, a nanny is not hired for a short term. Parents don’t like to change nannies and the nannies don’t like to change families. In many cases the children get attached to the nanny and she is considered a part of the family.
Do you have more questions? Visit our Forum: CAREGIVERS in CANADA.
If a family does not need a nanny on regular basis but only for a few hours sporadically, then a babysitter will be more appropriate then a nanny full-time. The question is where to look for a babysitter when your needs are for only a short period of time knowing that is not easy to have the same person babysitting whenever is required.
One should try as many ways as possible including friends’ and relatives’ referrals, newspapers and bulletin board advertisements and not in the least, domestic help agencies, especially those specialized in nannies. Although, a nanny or domestic help agency will ask you for a fee for finding a babysitter, the advantage is that the agency will do the screening process and if the babysitter is not available, the agency will provide a substitute for her.
Regardless of the screening done by the nanny agency, you should interview the baby-sitter at your home so you will have a better sense about the interaction with your kids and if they will feel comfortable with her at home.
Some questions to ask of potential babysitters:
- How would you make sure that my child does not play with dangerous objects or swallow poisons?
- Have you ever taken care of an injured child? What would you do if my child fell off a swing? How would you decide when to call an ambulance?
- What would you do if there were an emergency in the house like a fire or a gas leak?
- Do you plan to have children of your own? What do you like about children/
- Have you ever taken care of your younger brothers or sisters? What do you dislike about children?
- What would you do if my child complained that he was bored?
- Tell me how you plan to spend the day (evening) while you are caring for my child?
- If my child broke an expensive object in the house or refused to eat her dinner, what would you do?
- What do you feel are your main duties as a babysitter?
The following are tips on choosing and orienting a babysitter:
- Choose babysitters who demonstrates knowledge of how to prevent injuries. They should have taken first aid training or a babysitting course that includes first aid. The Canadian Red Cross Society offers these types of courses.
- Orient a new babysitter to your home. Show the babysitter the first aid supplies, emergency telephone numbers, the escape plan in case of fire and how to control heat, stove, lights and fuse box.
- Be clear about activities and areas that are off limits to children.
- Leave the telephone number where you will be and the number of a neighbour who could be of assistance in an emergency.
- After the children are put to bed, the sitter should check each of them once an hour. Make it clear that the babysitter should not sleep.
- The babysitter should not be allowed to entertain friends. He or she is hired to do a job and should not be distracted.
- The telephone should not be used for personal calls. It is for emergency use only.
- The babysitter should know what the child is doing at all times.
- If possible, avoid asking babysitters to give medicine. If you must, give them careful instructions.
- Babysitters should not smoke. Smoking is a fire and health hazard. Smoke may cause or worsen children’s colds, flu, asthma and bronchitis.
- Babysitters should not be expected to do chores. Their concerns is for the safety of the child.
- Check out your babysitters thoroughly. Make unscheduled visits home until you are sure you can trust them.
Before you leave home give to your babysitters a written list of the chores needed for your child’s well being, instructions, everyday telephone numbers, phone numbers to be used in case of emergency.
Here is a sample information sheet you can leave with your babysitter:
INFORMATION FOR BABYSITTERS
Parents Names:________________________
The House Address:_____________________
The Phone Number of the House:___________
Mother’s Work Phone:____________________
Mother’s Mobile Phone:___________________
Father’s Work Phone:_____________________
Father’s Mobile Phone:____________________
Neighbour’s or Relative’s Name:______________
Neighbour’s or Relative’s Phone Number:______
Child’s Bedtime:__________________________
Mealtime Instructions:_____________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
Special Instructions:______________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
Fire:_________________________________911
Police:________________________________911
Ambulance:____________________________911
Poison Control Center:______________________
Doctor’s Name:____________________________
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The live-in caregiver program should be diversified to include candidates from other countries such as China, India and Mexico. The main problem now with the program is that it relied too much on one single source country which is the Philippines and that totally contradicts with what the Canadian government aspires to be – a multi-cultural society.
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Opportunities for Caregivers/ Nannies in Canada.
We are looking for nannies/ caregivers to work with families in Canada. Candidates with minimum one year work experience who can speak good English and is currently residing in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia and Sri Lanka, India, Philippines or any other countries can apply. Filipinos/ Indians living outside their country are welcome.
Interested applicants, please send their cvs to jobs@paragon-personnel.com
I really like your article. It can be hard trying to chose the right person who will be with your child as much if not more than you are. Like I said before it’s hard finding a babysitter . The advice you have given will help allot of parents who do not know what to look for in a sitter.
hi m name is rejumol..i am looking to babysit. I am expert in household chores. I am married and based in india-mumbai. i am hard working and honest with my job. I am friendly with kids. i am sure i will best suite your criteria. I can cook well.
Dear sir/madam,
I am a registered midwife and have a six months training in caregiver course in the Philippines.I had an experience to babysit w/ a 10 months old and w/ 4 yrs old kids in Hong Kong for 1 1/2 years…I look after two elderly couple in my current work here in Coquitlam Vancouver B.C for 8 months until present..
It is important to protect your family. By running a simple background check to find out about any criminal history your babysitter may have can save your children from being in the hands of potential danger. Easy Background Checks is a great resource to ensure your babysitter is safe to care for your children.
It is easy, affordable, and instant
Great article.