Here at Hiredhelp.ie we want to make it as easy as possible for you to work as a babysitter. Check out our Babysitter Job Sheet. This sheet helps in two ways. Firstly, it lists all the information you'll need to find out about the family you're caring for. It's a simple case of fill in the blanks and you'll know everything you need to have a stress free evening of babysitting! Secondly and possibly more importantly, the sheet can be used to "remind" the parents of any agreements that they might have forgotten (e.g. what time they were supposed to be back at and how much they are supposed to be paying you).
What should a babysitter ask before accepting a job?
Now that you are advertising your services on Hiredhelp.ie you should make preparations for when someone calls and offers you a job. Before accepting a new babysitting job you should ask a few important questions over the phone. Look at the following questions and think of roughly what answers you would expect in order to accept a job. If you are unsure of any of them ask your parents to help.
- How many children will I be looking after?
- What ages are the children? (Potty-trained?)
- What duties will typically be required of me?
- Will I be paid by the hour or evening?
- How much will I be paid?
- Where is the family’s home?
- How will I get home?
These questions are the bare minimum you need to know before deciding if you’re up to the job. Besides, if a parent hears a calm and collected person asking them these questions over the phone it’ll give them the impression that they are talking to a person they can trust to take care of their children.
What other questions do you need to ask the parents to ensure a smooth night of babysitting?
- What are the names of the children?
- How many hours will the parents be away for?
- What are the overtime fee arrangements should the parents be late?
- Do the children have routines? How should I occupy the children? (Activities, sports, games, reading, homework, TV, music etc.)
- Will I be required to cook or prepare meals? (Are snacks allowed at bedtime?)
- When is bedtime and what's the bedtime routine? (Will the kids change themselves? Do they need lights left on? Are they allowed to play games/read in bed?)
- What are the disciplinary procedures?
- Do the children have any allergies, take any medication or have any special needs?
- Should I answer the telephone or the door?
- How do I take care of the pets? Are they allowed inside or outside?
- Is there anything I need to know about the house? Appliances, locks, security systems etc
Tips on successful babysitting
- Respect the privacy of the homeowners, don’t snoop around!
- Communicate with the parents and inform them of the children’s good/bad behaviour. Letting the parents know what you did while minding their kids is a sure fire way to ensure repeat babysitting business
- Monitor the children at all times. Don’t have the TV or music so loud that you can’t hear the kids. After bedtime check the children every hour. Babies should be checked every half an hour, listen to the baby alarm like an owl.
- Don’t babysit if you are ill.
- If you must cancel give the parents as much notice as is possible.
- Inform your own family about who you are babysitting for. Give them the address, names and contact details of the family.
- Stay awake and within the house when you are babysitting.
- Don’t drink or smoke when babysitting.
- If for whatever reason you are not happy working for the family, talk to your own parents for advice and support. Don’t work for a family that doesn’t respect the agreements decided upon before accepting the job.
- Never compromise your safety