Selecting a Baby-Sitter - UnityPoint Health · TRY THE SITTER OUT • After interviewing the...
Transcript of Selecting a Baby-Sitter - UnityPoint Health · TRY THE SITTER OUT • After interviewing the...
Selecting a Baby-SitterWHAT TO LOOK FOR
ASSESS YOUR NEEDS• Areyouwillingtotrustateenager,
orareyoulookingforsomeone moremature?
• Canyouaffordaprofessionalbaby-sittingservice?
• Doyouneedsomeoneforafewhoursorovernight?
GET REFERRALS• Askotherparentswhotheyuseand
whotheywouldrecommend.
• Askthemwheretheyhavehadsuccessfindingalistofsitters.
EXPERIENCE COUNTS• Findoutwhatkindoftrainingor
experiencetheprospectivesitterhas.Somecommunitiesofferbaby-sittingcoursesforteensthatinclude:basicfirstaid,homesafety,accidentprevention,whattodoforchokingandhowtofeedanddiaperinfants.
AVAILABILITY IS KEY• Doyouneedanoccasionalsitteror
someonetostayeveryFridaynight?
• Doyouneedovernightcareorcareforjustafewhoursduringtheday?
• Canyouprovidetransportationforthesitter?
WHAT IS THE COST?• What’sthehourlyrate?
• Doestheratematchwhatpeopleyouknowarepaying?
• Doesthispersonhaveanovernightrate?
TRY THE SITTER OUT• Afterinterviewingthe
person,offertopayfor anhourofbaby-sitting
toplaywithyourchildwhileyou’rearound.
• Dothesitterandthechildrespondwelltoeachother?
• Doesthispersoninitiateplaywithyourchild?
• Ifthesitterisrelaxedandself-assured,youprobablywillbe,too.
CLEANLINESS IS IMPORTANT• Doesthispersonpracticegood
personalhygiene?
• Doesthispersonsmoke?
TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS• Alwayslistentoyourinstincts;
they’reusuallyright.Ifyoudon’tfeelcomfortablewiththesitter,don’tuseher.
TIPS TO KEEP YOUR CHILD AND SITTER SAFE• Havethesitterarriveahalfhour
beforeyouleave.Showhimorherallexits,howwindowsanddoorsarelocked,wherefirstaidsuppliesareandanalternateescaperoutefromthehome.
• Leavealistofemergencynumbersandapencilandpapernexttothetelephone.Ifyourareadoesnothave911emergencyassistance,besuretoleavethenumbersofthenearestpoliceandfiredepartments.Onyouremergencycontactlist,includeyourname,homeaddress,andtelephonenumberwhereyoucanbereachedandatelephonenumberforaneighbororrelative.