With alarming stories of child-abuse by babysitters in the news almost every week, many parents wonder if they should be paying to have babysitter background checks. As with any parenting decision, there is no clear-cut, one-size-fits-all answer. However, here are some issues to consider about your personal babysitter.

1)Your Definition of a Babysitter

Is this babysitter a high-school or college student from your neighborhood that you are paying cash to watch your toddler for an hour or two while you and your husband go out to dinner? What about the kind neighbor who invites you to switch Saturday sitting with her? In these short-term, informal situations, you should be able to trust your gut instincts and check references on your own. Also, running a background check on a minor could bring up some interesting legal problems.

However, if you are hiring babysitters to watch your baby all day long, as with an au pair or nanny, a background check may be appropriate. If you hire through an agency, babysitter background checks are normally performed prior to being sent out as a babysitter.

2)Your Child’s Needs and Quirks

If your child is still nonverbal, bruises easily, or has any other issues preventing the detection of abuse or that may erroneously present as abuse, a background check can help ease your mind. Babysitters who agree to watch such children may even appreciate it. After all, accidents happen, and no one wants to be falsely accused. With clean babysitter background checks, they can feel more secure that you know their intentions are good.

3)Your Home and Expectations

Should you expect babysitters to do any other household chores that give them access to your valuables, you may feel more comfortable with your babysitter background checks already completed. Having a thief for a babysitter is not only an annoying monetary loss, it can be uncomfortable to confront them about the missing items.

Deciding whether or not to do babysitter background checks in a deeply personal decision. Keep these tips in mind to make the best decision for you and your baby. Just keep in mind that a background check just states the babysitter has never been caught before, it doesn’t mean abuse or misdeeds has never happened in the past. Trust your instincts!

Are you looking for someone to assist you with your domestic duties? It is important to know your options. In these situations, people often turn to nannies or au pair programs for additional household help, and it is usually a good idea to know the benefits of the two before making your selection.

What is an Au Pair? What is a Nanny?
An Au Pair (French for “as an equal”) is a young man or woman between 18 to 26 years of age, from a foreign country that provides domestic assistance. Often part of a larger program, an Au Pair takes residence with the hiring family for an extended yet temporary set of time (usually a year).

Nannies can be hired from a variety of places, from nanny agencies to job boards. Most nannies work in conjunction with their host families to set the standards of their work. Most nannies often enjoy the flexibility of working live-in or live-out, depending on the request of the families.

Where do Nannies and Au Pairs come from?
Au pairs come from a variety of places, from Bulgaria to South Korea. They are required to be proficient in English, and must have at least 200 hours of previous childcare experience. All Au Pairs must be approved by the U.S. Department of State.

Professional Nannies usually reside within proximity of the family requesting their services, and often have thorough resumes that detail their work and personal histories. Most nannies hold degrees in child-care specialty and development.

What do Au Pairs do? What do Nannies do?
Both Au Pairs and Nannies assist the families in household upkeep duties, from taking care of the children to maintaining household cleanliness. However, Au Pairs have a stricter set of guidelines to follow. They must be enrolled in a school system, and are usually designated a maximum of 45 hours of domestic work a week.

Nannies on the other hand, are usually allowed to set whatever time schedule they would like with their respective hiring families. As mentioned earlier, families and nannies together set the parameters of what duties need to be done, and when they need to be done by.

How Much Do I Pay Au Pairs? How Long do They Stay?
Families are required to pay their Au Pairs at least the minimum wage, along with a few fees to pay for the program. Following the first year of work, most Au Pairs return to their native countries unless the host family requests to keep the Au Pair for another set of months.

Nannies are rarely given a time frame of how long they are allowed to work for, and their schedules as based upon the family’s needs. Nannies are often allowed to charge whatever price they would like, and they are usually based upon the strength of their resume and prior history.

Depending on where you look, most families require a licensed babysitter when handing their children to your care. The good news is that obtaining one is not exactly a difficult task, as there are no *official* licenses for babysitting. In fact, getting a license is as easy as driving your car to the right place.

In order to get your babysitting license, you must take a babysitting class that teaches you all the basics in childcare. Classes are offered all over, from the Red Cross to the YMCA, which are accessible in virtually every area. If not, even local community centers offer the course on a monthly basis.

The babysitting classes are often inexpensive and short, usually occurring over the duration of 4 to 5 hours. Instructors teach you health basics, such as CPR for children, and First Aid essentials in treating cuts and bruises. Once the class is finished, you will be issued a license from company, which will be the perfect starting point in finding a good babysitting job.

When looking for a babysitter, you need to make sure you find the one who would be the right fit in attending your children. Always interview your candidates before you select them, and the questions you ask should deal with the basic foundation, the “Who? Where? What? When? Why?” We have broken down the exact types of questions that you should ask below.

Who are you?
This is a no-brainer. You want to get to know your potential babysitter, and whether his or her personality will mesh with your own and (especially) your children’s. But most importantly, you want to make sure your babysitter will exude a good influence in your household.

Where have you babysat before?
Ask your babysitter about his or her prior history, and whether he or she enjoyed it. That way you can find out the babysitter’s passion for kids and whether he or she can carry it on to your own. This is also a good way to know the babysitter’s grasp on the basics of babysitting.

What do you think you can do with my children, and for my children?
Find out what activities the babysitter has for your children when you are not available. However, you should also make sure that the babysitter knows all the basics and necessities, like knowing what to feed children in a certain age group or whether he or she can change a diaper.

When will you be available?
Work out a good schedule with the babysitter, and whether your schedules match up. Your babysitter must be available at the right time, but you should make sure you are not intruding too much on his or her own personal time.

Why do you want to babysit for me?
This is key. Making sure that the babysitter can bring something special to the table, to care for the special young one in your household. After all, this is someone who will be spending a chunk of time with your children, so you must be assured that match will be beneficial for the babysitter, the kids, and ultimately yourself.

If you have some other questions that you have found helpful in screening potential babysitters please leave them in our comments so they can be shared with other parents.

Screening a new babysitter does not have to be as complicated as a company executive screening a new employee. You want to make sure that the babysitter fits the needs of you and your children, whether you and your children fits the babysitter’s needs, and whether your scheduling matches up. Here is the best way to screen a babysitter, in 6 easy steps.

Step 1: Learn more about the babysitter from the source you got the referral from (e.g. word of mouth), and get the right questions ready.
Step 2: Contact the potential babysitter by phone or in person, in order for you to get the right impression about the person and vice-versa. Avoid emails, as this would prevent this.
Step 3: Inquire about his or her familiarity in babysitting, especially in medical and First Aid knowledge. If the person is new, ask if he or she has any related experience.
Step 4: Find out when he or she is available, and whether you can provide the right fee.
Step 5: Get some references (parents, friends are usually good candidates), and contact them for their opinion on the client.
Step 6: Give the person a call back, and let him or her know if they’d be interested!

Most online services offer babysitters and care providers background checks which validates their identity and checks for any criminal history. Sittercity.com is a trusted online babysitter service that has 1,000s of background checked babysitters and nannies with parent reviews.

Finding a new babysitter after you lose your beloved sitter to school or a move proves difficult at times. While there are plenty of places to find possible babysitters, these don’t always pan out. So if you’ve already asked twenty friends for referrals or signed up with a child care agency, but gotten no results, this list presents some other possible places to find the right caregiver for your kids.

Preschool Teacher

Your children’s preschool teacher offers you a logical first choice as your child’s new babysitter. She knows your kids already, cutting down on the adjustment period. Additionally, because of her profession, she has a plethora of age-related activities to keep your little ones entertained while you’re out for the evening.

To approach your kids’ teacher about the subject, simply ask her during a free moment if she ever sits during her after hours or if she knows of any potential babysitters if she’ doesn’t.

The Camp Counselor

Kids camps like the Girl Scouts or the summer arts program are filled with professionals who love working with kids. These high-energy potential babysitters often hold seasonal positions, making the possibility of future employment attractive to them.

Many of these organizations have a parents’ day. These functions are sometimes a bit stressful behind the scenes. If you attend one of these events, pay attention to how your candidate stacks up when there’s extra pressure on her. You’ll see first-hand what kind of skills she has to keep the kids entertained and everything in order so that the day runs smoothly.

At the Store or Library

Toy stores or book stores that specialize in children’s literature present a hidden pool of babysitter candidates for you. These professionals work with many different types of children all day, making these establishments a good place for you to find new leads for a sitter.

One simple way to ferret out a good prospect is to attend a puppet show put on by the toy store or a story hour at the local library. These situations give you a peek at how your babysitter-in-the-wings might interact with your child before you actually approach her with an offer to interview for the position.

Additional Tips

Only look at these sources as leads to find a new caregiver for your children. Potential babysitters should still be thoroughly checked out. Call each person’s reference and weed out the individuals that you don’t feel good about regardless of their credentials.

Additionally, it’s always prudent to interview and hire a number of candidates, giving you a back up sitter should your main sitter be unavailable.

Deciding what to pay for babysitting services can be a difficult task. On one hand, you want to pay enough so the sitter is happy and will want to come back. On the other hand, you may need to watch your budget and can’t pay more than the average rate. How do you determine a fair wage?

How much to pay a babysitter depends on a number of factors:

• The age and experience of the sitter
• Additional responsibilities
• The number and age(s) of the children
• Your location
• Special occasions

The Sitter

The older and more experienced the babysitter, the more you can expect to pay. Sitters between the ages of 11 and 14 may be happy with $4 or $5 an hour. Sitters in this age group should be easily reachable by phone, so ask them to carry a cell phone or stay within range of the home phone.

Babysitters aged 15 to 17 should earn at least $6 or $7 an hour. Babysitters of this age are usually more experienced, can prepare simple meals, and clean up after themselves and the children. They are also eligible for other employment, so parents should be willing to offer competitive rates when deciding how much to pay for child care.

Sitters over the age of 18 require $8 to $15 an hour, depending on their level of experience and your expectations for additional household responsibilities (see below). Sitters in metropolitan areas will expect closer to $15 an hour or more.

Additional Responsibilities

Will your sitter be responsible for transporting children to and from sports or other activities? Will your sitter be helping with homework? This will increase the price. You should also pay extra if the sitter is asked to do laundry or other household tasks.

The Children

Each additional child requiring care will add another dollar or two an hour to the fee. Even the child’s temperament may enter the equation. Babysitters may demand a higher price for a difficult child.

Your Location

In general, rates are higher in urban areas than in rural areas. Check with neighbors, family and friends to see how much they are paying sitters.

Special Occasions

You may want to offer up to 50 percent more on holidays like Valentine’s Day or New Year’s Eve. This shows the sitter that you appreciate their dedication on a night that they themselves might rather be going out.

Still not sure what to pay a sitter?

If you are still unsure about what to pay a good babysitter, you could ask the sitter directly. If you do this, be prepared to pay the rate the sitter names. If you cannot afford to go over a certain amount, inform the sitter of that rate and make sure it is acceptable.

Keep in mind that a babysitter who is well compensated and feels appreciated will be more accommodating when it comes to scheduling and performing extra chores. The well-paid babysitter will most likely be available on short notice, and do it with a smile.

Above all, parents should remember the importance of childcare — you are putting your child or children into their capable hands. Price accordingly when you determine how much to pay for babysitter services.

Do be prepared
Take a lesson from the Boy Scouts and be prepared. Sign up for babysitter training or certification classes in your area that will help you be ready for any emergency. Sitters need to know basic first aid, CPR, and how to help a choking infant or child.

Do be safe
Safety first! Make sure you are educated on home safety, such as choking hazards and poison control. Use common sense when crossing the street or on the playground. Before you accept a job, be confident that you can handle the number of children, the ages of the children, and the required length of time for the job. You should also feel safe with the family, the home, and the neighborhood.

Do watch the children at all times
One of the most important rules of being a great babysitter is to watch the children at all times. Remember, you are in control — not the child. Tell them to stay where you can see them, and set limits and boundaries for activities if necessary. This will help prevent poor behavior, and will help children feel more secure in their parents’ absence.

Do listen to the parents
Always arrive early for a job to allow time with the parent for instructions. Tour the home with the parent, taking note of the location of the children’s rooms, phones, any security system, first aid supplies, and emergency evacuation routes. Take note of eating, bedtime and bathroom routines of the child or children. Ask about house rules for television, video games, and phone use. Include a discussion about rules for discipline, snacks and meals.

Do keep the house safe
Always keep doors and windows locked, as well as any security system engaged. Ask the parents for a lesson on how to use the security system. Never open the door to strangers. If you plan to leave the home to visit the park or store, make sure you have keys and know how to lock and unlock the doors.

Do have phone numbers
In case of an emergency, make sure you have phone numbers for the parents and another adult who can be available immediately if needed. Either write them down or enter them in your cell phone for quick access. Ask the parents for the Poison Center phone number and be prepared to call 911 for emergency services.

Do have fun!
Working with children can be extremely rewarding. Have fun, be silly and enjoy seeing the world through the eyes of a child again! But, children need structure and an adult that makes them feel safe and secure. If you follow these “do’s,” you will not only be a great babysitter, you will build a lasting relationship with the family and the child.

Hiring a new babysitter requires thoughtful preparation, patience, intuition, and little bit of luck. Like most moms, you probably have very high standards when it comes to finding someone to care for your child or children.

You may not find a sitter right away, but don’t give up. It takes time and persistence to find the best sitter for your family. This may take a little luck and good timing when a good sitter suddenly becomes available.
It also requires a lot of mother’s intuition.

“I can tell a lot from a candidate just over the phone,” said Shellie, a mother of three in Chicago. “I have a few open-ended questions to start out with when interviewing a new sitter. I can tell from their voice and energy if they truly love children, or are just looking for another job. I always do a phone interview before setting up an in-person interview. It saves me a lot of time.”
Prepare for the Interview

When hiring a sitter, keep in mind that nobody is perfect. You may want to prepare a list of qualities that are most important to you and prioritize them. What is the most important sitter quality to you? Put it at the top of the list.

Do you want someone who seems to be fun, and who your children will like? Or do you want someone who is responsible, and will keep your children safe? Are you on a limited budget? Then the sitter’s rate may be at the top of the list.

Most likely, you will not find someone who fits every single one of your criteria. Prioritize those criteria and hire the best candidate you can find. When interviewing a potential sitter, start with your top priority and work down from there.

Before any interview, put together a list of questions that will lead to the answers you are looking for. Such as:

Experience

1. Can you tell me about your past experience as a sitter?
2. What ages were the children?
3. How long were you with each family?
3. Do you have any formal training or certifications in early childcare?

Responsibility

1. Have you ever had an emergency situation? What did you do?
2. Have you ever had to administer medicine to children?
3. Do you know CPR?

Availability

1. Are you currently working? Why are you looking for a new position?
2. When would you be able to start?
3. Do you have other plans outside of childcare?

Dedication

1. Why do you enjoy being a sitter?
2. What are your favorite activities to do with children?
3. Are you willing to do laundry and clean up after the children?

Please keep in mind that this is not a complete list of interview questions. When hiring a sitter, be sure to discuss hourly rates*, days and hours of work, family discipline, additional responsibilities, etc. And always be sure to ask for references. Good luck in your search!

If the sitter is caring for an infant, what are the feeding times? Where is the food located? Is the food or formula prepared, or is this something babysitters need to do? Make sure this information is included on babysitter checklists. Make sure that the babysitters also know where to dispose of dirty diapers, where to find clean diapers, and the location of clean clothes.

Does the child have any allergies? If the child has a pet allergy, food allergy, or is allergic to bee stings, let the babysitter know just in case, and include this item on your babysitter checklists.

Does the child take medicine? And if so, what is the proper dosage and administration time? Let the babysitter know about any medication the child needs to take, and make sure that they know how to administer the medicine properly.

What about bedtime? Most babies and small children rely on a consistent bedtime for comfort and optimal health. Make sure that the babysitter is aware of the child’s bedtime and any bedtime routines that the child expects. If the child has a favorite book or stuffed animal that is part of their bedtime routine, make sure this is on hand for babysitters.

In case of a babysitting emergency, what is the contact number for the parent or parents? Always include a cell phone number so that the babysitter can call a parent just in case.

Before you leave a child in the care of a sitter, make sure that they are aware of all the items on the list. It may seem elementary, but go over the list with the sitter personally so that communication is clear and direct. Place the babysitter checklists in strategic locations around your home either posted on the refrigerator or by the telephone.

These lists make the babysitter’s job easier and can help parents feel more at ease with leaving their child in the care of someone else.