You are hired to babysit. You have discussed your pay rate with the parents, found out how many children you will be babysitting and for how long, and if a ride is being provided to and from their home. Now you just show up, right? WRONG. There is still more to do.

A great babysitter will plan to meet new parents and children (and pets!) to get acquainted before the day they have to work. This is something you should suggest to the parents when they first hire you. This shows you are very professional and caring, and also makes the start of the job much easier. When you arrive for the job, the kids have already met you and won’t be so nervous about being left with a stranger. It’s a good idea for you too, as it can show you what to expect for the job. It also reassures the parents, since they’ve spent a little bit of time with you, that they can trust you with their children.

Getting Important Info

This is a good time to get some information about the job, the children, and their home and safety issues. There is a copy of my Babysitter Questionairre for you to give to the parent to fill out. Feel free to print it out and use it.

Babysitters’ Questionnaire

It is highly recommended to give the parents this form ahead of time that way they can take their time to thoroughly fill out this form and you can ask them any questions when you review it before your first babysitting job for them. Parents are often in a rush the day they ask you to babysit for them so giving it to them ahead of time is better. Suggest that the parents give you a tour of the home to best answer these questions.
Whether this information is filled out days before the babysitting job or just before you begin, it is VERY IMPORTANT that you get it. It will help you in all kinds of situations. It will be good to save the questionnaire so the parents don’t have to fill it in again everytime you babysit for them.

I Have to Play With Them?

Babysitting is more than just making money. It’s making sure kids are safe and happy! This doesn’t usually happen without trying. You do have to play with the kids. Unless you want to be stuck playing with the same toys all night, you had better go prepared with some fun ideas for activities. You may even want to prepare a babysitting kit to take with you for activity ideas and materials.