How do you find a trustworthy babysitter?

How do you find a trustworthy babysitter?

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By Babysits
5 min read

Looking for a babysitter? More and more parents are going online to look for a suitable babysitter. But, what’s the best way to find a babysitter? Read our 10 tips about what you should do when looking for a trustworthy babysitter.

1. Write down your specifications

First, it’s important to think about what type of babysitter you are looking for. Are you only looking for a babysitter for weekends or are you looking for a babysitter who can help throughout the week?

And maybe you’re looking for a babysitter who can help you with some small household chores? Think this through carefully! As soon as you have a clear idea of what you want and need, you can create a Babysits profile and publish a description of the job. Explain what you are looking for in the profile and be as specific as possible.

2. Search for multiple babysitters

Do you often need a babysitter at irregular times, not on a specific/set schedule? In this case, it’s a good idea to look for multiple babysitters, as opposed to just one. Then, in the case that one babysitter isn’t available (for example due to exams or changing schedules), a different babysitter can substitute for them. This way, you always have an available babysitter on call, whatever the situation.

3. References and reviews!

Before you hire a babysitter, it’s a good idea to take a look at the babysitter’s references and reviews.

On Babysits, you can read lots of references and reviews. Definitely take advantage of this! These references and reviews can give a great impression of how the babysitter works and what type of person they are. This way you can make a better, more informed decision.

find a babysitter

4. Experience and age

On Babysits, you can see a solid overview of all the available babysitters and important information regarding them. Have you found someone who could potentially be your family’s babysitter? Make sure to take a good look at their age and experience. You can choose to hire a young babysitter who really loves kids, but doesn’t have much experience yet. Or in some situations, it may be better to go for an older babysitter or nanny who has a lot of experience or experience with specific types of children.

The choice is yours!

5. Make some decisions and reach out

It’s time! You’ve screened some babysitter’s profiles. Now it’s time to start narrowing it down and contacting babysitters. Via our online community, you can easily get in touch with babysitters in your area. Use Babysits messaging system to contact babysitters that you think would be suitable to work with your family. From here, you can make an appointment for an interview and introductory meeting.

6. Interview and introductory meeting

Plan an interview/introductory meeting to have as clear a view as possible of who the babysitter is, their previous experience, and competencies for this job. As an introductory meeting, you (and your child) can get to know the potential babysitter better.

During this meeting, you can already get an idea of whether your child and the babysitter get along and if the babysitter is suitable for your family.

7. Come to agreement on terms

Many parents are looking for a babysitter who’s comfortable doing more than just babysitting.

For example, a babysitter that can also cook or do simple chores. This is of course possible, but important to note, not a given.It’s important to always discuss this with the babysitter first. Be aware that a fun, creative babysitter who your kids love isn’t always the same as a maid or housekeeper. Even though this sometimes can be the case.

Most importantly, don’t forget to discuss the babysitting rate with the babysitter, how much you’d like to pay them and for what.

tips to find a babysitter

8. Trial period

Set a trial period. During this period, you, your child, and the babysitter can see if the babysitting is going according to plan and preference. If you aren’t satisfied, then you can always move on and find another babysitter.

9. Introductions

Is the child still young (for example under 5) and do you want the babysitter to pick the child up from school, for example? Then it’s smart to introduce the babysitter to the teachers or kindergarten staff, and/or other parents at the school. This way you can avoid miscommunication/misunderstandings.

10. Listen to your gut feeling

At the end of the day, it all revolves around your child. So, it’s important to listen to your gut feeling. Only hire a babysitter if you feel entirely certain and don’t feel guilty if you still want to look a bit further.

With the above tips, we hope you’ll quickly and easily find the trustworthy babysitter your family needs.

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