10 Tips to Care for your Babysitter

Here are some practical things to do when your sitter arrives for her first day on the job.

1. House Tour: Conduct a brief tour of the house when the sitter arrives. Include the relevant door keys/locks, heating/cooling systems and baby monitor.
2. Room Tour: Conduct a tour of the child's room if relevant - including location of pajamas, bedtime books, toys and diaper changing items (if required).
3. Facilities: Show your babysitter the refreshments and snacks, TV and bathroom facilities for the evening. Let her know what is allowed (e.g., use of your wifi) and not allowed (e.g., smoking, boyfriends).
4. Phone Numbers: Leave a list of phone numbers including your phone, emergency contacts and where you’ll be while you’re away.
5. Routine: Explain the steps of the bedtime routine - include the bed time, story time, tooth brushing, location of bottles, pacifier and comfort toys.
6. Settling Strategies: Warn the sitter if your child is likely to wake up during the evening. Provide settling strategies.
7. Cancellations: Never leave a sick child with a babysitter. Try to cancel as early as possible if you need to.
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 the correct change to pay the babysitter.
10. Safety: At the end of the evening, show the babysitter to her car or drive her home for safety.