Babysitting Basics

• Check
  references! Referral from someone you trust is ideal.

• What
  are her (or his!) rates? Often, teens don’t have enough experience
  or assertiveness training to quote a fee for their services. You
  should have an idea what others are paying per hour, per child. For
  example, you may pay $5 per hour for the first child and $2 for each
  additional child. Check the rates in your community.
• Does
  s/he have a driver’s license? A car? Will you be needing to pick
  your sitter up or do they have another way get to your house. The
  employer usually bears responsibility for getting the sitter home
  after dark. Do you want to allow your child to ride with others? Are
  the required car seats available? Is there someone available for
  transport in the unlikely event of emergency.
• Are
  you looking for someone who is available evenings? weekends? 

• Invite
  him/her over to meet the children and to discuss routines, bedtime
  rituals, discipline, playmates, outings, and activities

• Discuss
  special needs your kids have regarding diet, health problems,
  allergies, fears, etc.

• Show
  where phones, emergency phone numbers, first aid kit, flashlights,
  smoke alarms, thermostat, and message board are located.

• Schedule
  a practice session: stay in the background, observe how s/he
  interacts with your children. Explain things s/he does well, point
  out what needs to be done differently.

• Make
  clear your rules for her, preferably in writing: regarding homework,
  TV (e.g., only PBS, no other TV unless kids are asleep), computer
  use, snacks, no company, no texting while the kids are awake, no smoking in the house or around kids, no
  spanking, tidy up after self and children, and any other guidelines
  you deem appropriate.