Five Tips for Hiring a Babysitter
Good babysitters are in high demand due to most parents’ hectic work schedules and the need for an occasional night out. Not every parent has friends and relatives who can care for children, so they must resort to hiring a babysitter. Naturally, the child’s well-being is the top priority. Make sure that your kids are in good hands by taking these steps before letting someone watch over them.
Use Someone With References
Some parents have taken a chance by hiring a stranger to babysit only to find items missing around the house. After having hidden cameras installed by their ADT Miami home security company, they then discovered that the babysitter was the thief all along. Spare yourself this indignation by checking references before hiring a babysitter. Choose someone you know or at least someone with numerous references from other parents.
Conduct a Job Interview
Just as employers should evaluate the mannerisms of candidates before hiring them, parents should get to know someone before letting them watch over their kids. Before hiring someone as a babysitter, sit down with them and talk about the task. Include the kids as well. You should observe how they interact with the kids to make sure that they are right for the job.
Choose Someone Comfortable With Technology
Since the babysitter will effectively be in charge of your home while you’re gone, you should give them some quick training on the alarm system. They should know how to recognize alerts, use the panic button if necessary, and turn off any false alarms. The owner’s manual that you received from the Miami ADT home security company should be left where they can find it in case they have trouble.
Look Past the Age
It is generally recommended that babysitters be at least 13 years old, but you can make an exception if a candidate a couple of years younger than this turns out to be experienced and adept. Also remember that a babysitter does not have to be a child. They could just as easily be a college student in need of some extra cash or an elderly retiree who misses looking after kids. Just make sure that the person has a significant amount of experience with children.
Agree on Payment Beforehand
A long-term business relationship with a reliable babysitter is useful, and it requires an agreement on wages and expenses. Ask other parents in your neighborhood what their typical hourly rate is for babysitters so that you have a rough idea of how much to offer. Sit down with your prospective babysitter and find a rate that you both agree with. Don’t forget to make allocations for other expenses such as meals and recreation.
Selecting someone to take care of your children requires the utmost care and consideration. You may have to go through several candidates, but you’ll find a suitable babysitter by following these steps during your hiring process.
