10 Tips to Care for your Babysitter

Tips to Care for your Babysitter or Nanny

Congratulations on finding a fabulous babysitter!

The first time you handover a babysitter can be a little stressful - remembering to cover the essential details so the kids are settled and the sitter is confident. 

Use our handy guide to help you set things up for success.  

Here are 10 tips to do when your babysitter arrives for her very first shift. 

1. House Tour 

Conduct a tour of the house when the babysitter arrives. Show her the relevant door keys and locks, the heating/cooling systems and the baby monitor.  Include details of the kitchen appliances she may need to use too. e.g.,  microwave or oven.  Show her where to find the tea, coffee and snacks for herself.  

2. Kids Room

Show the babysitter essential details including the location of pyjamas, bedtime books/toys and nappy changing items (if required).  Share any favourite kids games or activities that will help keep your children happily engaged when you leave the house.  

3. TV & Wifi & Screen Time

If you expect the children to sleep and the sitter to have some hours of quiet time - show her how the TV remote works and share the wifi password.  Let her know what is allowed (e.g., rules for her phone use) and not allowed (e.g., how much screen time for the kids before bed). 

4. Emergency Phone Numbers

Leave a list of phone numbers (your mobile phone, emergency contacts) and a completed 'Emergency Information Checklist'.  Share the address of where you'll be while you're out. 

5. Routine

Explain the steps of the bedtime routine - include the kids bed time, story time books, brushing teeth, location of bottles, dummies and comfort toys.  Let her know if there's some flexibility with the routine or not.  

6. Settling Strategies

Warn the babysitter if your child is likely to wake up during the evening.  Give her tips on how to best manage this, with the ideal settling strategies. 

7. Cancellations

Sometimes unexpected things happen and you need to cancel.  Try to notify the babysitter as early as possible. 

8. Timing

Tell the sitter the approximate time you expect to be home.  If you are running late, call or text the sitter to advise her. 

9. Payment

Prepare to pay the babysitter by bank transfer, or have the correct change ready.  Here's a guide to how much to pay a babysitter.   At the end of the shift make sure your babysitter gets safely to her car or home.  

10. Add a Babysitter Rating

Share a rating (out of 5 stars) and review for your babysitter on Find A Babysitter.   It's a great way to thank her by sharing kind words and positive feedback!  

With these handy tips you can head out feeling confident that everything will go smoothly and you can enjoy your well-deserved child-free time!   

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