Choosing and Coaching a Childcare Provider

Choosing and coaching a childcare provider can be difficult.The satisfaction of knowing your child is in skilled care is in and of itself a tremendous reward. Someone who is mature, friendly, and has a good sense of humor will be ideal.

The best method to discover a dependable and experienced babysitter is to get advice from people you know and trust. Finding a babysitter can be a challenge if you’re a newcomer to the area.

• Neighbors and coworkers may be able to help you out.
• Find out if your pediatrician’s office staff has any ideas. –
• Find a list of babysitters at your local YMCA, hospital, or American Red Cross branch. There are many who have taken infant and kid CPR training classes.
• To find a babysitter if your child attends a daycare or after-school program, inquire with the staff.

You can narrow down your options by interviewing sitters and checking references. Ahead of time, write down a list of questions to ask.

Consult with babysitters about the following:

• their experience as a parent
• CPR training for infants and children
• how they feel about your pet is a question you may want to ask.

While you’re still at home, ask a few sitters over for a trial run. You’ll be able to observe how they engage with your youngsters and your home as a result.

Instructions for Babysitters

Make sure the sitter is ready before you depart. Make sure you do this:

• Review your child’s daily schedule with them (homework, bedtime, meal times). Discuss the general rules of your home and any restrictions you may have on TV, computers, video games, etc.
• The sitter should know where you’ll be and how to reach you at all times; if something goes wrong, tell them to phone 911 first.
• Show the sitter where you’ve put the poison control center’s phone number, 1-800-222-1222, so they know who to call in an emergency. It should be located in a location that is easily accessible.
• Make that the sitter understands who to call in the event of an emergency so that you don’t have to. Make a list of people to contact in case of an emergency, such as neighbors, friends, relatives, and even your doctor.

• Use your own phone number and address in a text message or email. Such a way, the sitter can provide that information to the 911 operator in the event of an emergency.
• Locate fire exits, detectors, and extinguishers for the babysitter.
• If you have security systems or alarms, show the sitter how to turn them on and off.
• Show the babysitter where the inside door keys are kept in case a youngster is locked in a room.
• If your kid has a medical issue that needs attentoion, such as an allergy, (to bee stings or a food, for example), inform the sitter in advance (explain and write down the directions)
• The sitter should go through the contents of your first-aid kit.

If anything happens to your babysitter, make sure your children know how to call for help by showing them how to dial 911.

Before you depart:

• Tell your babysitter what you expect of them. Don’t be afraid to tell the sitter that you don’t want them to leave the house with your child.
• Ask about the babysitter’s driving experience and make sure they know the requirements for transporting your children.
• Visitors should be made aware of any restrictions.

Sitter Protection Measures

Ensure that the sitter is aware of these safety measures:

• Unless otherwise directed by you, never give your child any medication.
• Never, ever, ever leave children alone in the house or yard.
• There is a danger in leaving children unattended around water. Infants and little children can drown in just a few inches of water, even in a bucket or a bathroom toilet.

Babysitters who care for young children must be aware of these guidelines:

• Avoid giving children things that can obstruct the windpipe, such as popcorn, nuts, hard sweets, and raw carrots.
• Don’t serve hot dogs or grapes in their whole. Remove the skin from hot dogs before chopping them into small pieces.
• Don’t allow your children to play with plastic bags, latex balloons, coins, or other small objects they could ingest and choke on.
• Stairs, windows, stoves, and electrical outlets should not be used as play areas for children.

Ask your children if they had a good time with the sitter when you return. You’re more likely to enjoy your time away from home if you’ve found a sitter you can trust.

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