refrences!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

non family!!

Sarah

I would ask for references, how they would handle disobedience, if they had CPR training...I'm sure there are others I would ask, just can't think of any right now.

I already have 3 references for the one lady I'm meeting, but want to meet with her first to see what I think before calling any of them. If Trey or I don't like her, then there's no point in me wastin my time calling her refs.

we asked for a copy of the drivers license...depending on where you are, you may be able to run a criminal check...we were able to disqualify 2 people on that alone...1 was wanted for assault..the other had cancelled an interview with us and then re-scheduled..apparently she was busted for grand theft, assault on a police officer and a whole list of other charges..we opted out of the babysitter experience

lovely.

The area I used to live in had this program where the local teens would all take a babysitter's course and Red cross/cpr and then if they wanted their names would go onto a list and residents could call up the community centre and get names and we'd go for an interview and blah blah everything was hunky dory. Now it's like freaking hell trying to find one.

As I don't really have family around and Mikey's family is not really around. I don't have much choice. It's either, I stay home all the time or i try and find someone so I can go take some classes at night. I want to get a new degree.

Do they know CPR, background check, references from parents that they have babysat for. I have been on both ends. I had a girl telling me she was 16, turns out she was only 13 and my child cried the whole time we were gone. She was from a co-op in our neighborhood. I would get a nannycam. These days you can't be too careful. Good luck.

we ended up with a babysitter out of the whole mess..the best references and all..she ended up having to leave after a month..then we went through the whole process again..I ended up firing the second one we chose the first day and i refused to go through it all again. I was able to take him with me to work (I worked in child care at the time) until they needed his space for a paying customer, so i've pretty much been a stay at home mom since (11 years now,..ugh)..I understand about not being able to find anyone in the first place, let alone finding someone who can meet your expectations...good luck..i hope you find what you need there..

oooooh! Nany cam's are the best! You can camo it in a teddybear or a picture frame!

Like the other's said, just make sure she's not a nut. Do uninformed drop ins while she's watching .trey.

Sarah

I would definetely ask them how they would handle disobedience. Ask if they are .C.P.R and first aid certified. Try to find out how they handle multi-tasking, which is what babysitting is all about. Maybe give them a scenereo to see how they would handle certain situations. Ask them straight out, why should I hire you, and if I do, tell me what kinds of things you are going to do with my child while sitting for him.
Get references from other parents they have worked for.
I would even ask their parents if they thought they were ready to babysit.
If you can check their criminal record, do it

It's a scary scary thing, hiring a sitter.

When i took first aid and cpr for babysitting i had a lady asking me all sorts of scenarios like if they happened to choke on a leaf etc. my friend is a nanny at the moment. Make sure they have had experience around small kids. Kinda suck if ur kids in diapers and the ladys never changed a diaper in her life ya know etc.

great answers ladies. pretty much what I was thinking. the lady I'm supposed to meet with is a little older, so no need to check with her parents-lol

Man I wish someone I knew had a little sis or cousin who lived in my area.

the popular thing in our area is to post adds in the local college paper for interested child development, education, or nursing majors. A lot of the time students will jump for the experience and are very qualified considering their educational experiences.

.jess! I wanna start day care, bring .trey down to me!! Adriana loves playing with other kids.

I agree with the others. Also get everything in writing.

This is coming from someone who .i.s a babysitter herself, and these are the things parents always ask for:

-references
-proof of certification (because .I put on my flyers that .I am first aid, cpr, and heimlich certified, and .I've taken the red cross babysitting course)
-rates

and then most parents keep me talking while .I have to entertain the kid. That way they can tell if you and their child(ren) get along, and if you're capable of watching their child.
If you're hiring an adult (which .I inferred that you are) ask to see her driver's license, and definitely make a copy of it. background checks are really important; it's the same thing as when they screen people to be girl scout leaders. they all get background checked first.
And the random drop-ins are a great idea.

It would be great if some of you lived closer!!

I am just looking for a now and then sitter. For a Saturday night or something. He goes to daycare during the day.

I have been a Nanny for the same family for almost 10 yrs. I chose to leave them a few times because the first time I wanted to go and check out Ontario, the second time because I did not recieve the cost of living rate they told me I would get, and thirdly, was when I went off on Medical Leave. I am back there again and its mostly now because they have not been able to find a replacement for me that has suited them or gotten along with the kids as well as I have. The kids are really close to me as I have been a huge part of their lives and even when I wasnt there I was there if you know what I mean. Now with me going off in a few mths on Maternity they are worried about getting someone again that works well for what they need. They have hired 4 nannies other than me and had to let everyone one of them go. They actually have me helping them find someone suitable as I always seem to get a vibe from people. So you can go by your natural insticts with them too.

One of the best things that you can do is check references. People will definitly tell you what they think about them. Also, watch for how they interact with each other. If they are getting along well and both seem content, thats a huge factor in how things are going to be. You can also try them out for like an hour, and pop in early to see how things are going. May sound sneaky, but I would do the same with my child, and if you come in and everyone is happy then you can be sure its going to be a good match. Also make sure that everything they have is up to date.

Good luck and I am sure that you will find the right person for the job!

Mary

I think that nutrition is important. You will want to make sure they will not be letting him snack on things you deam inappropriate, if they are comfortable preparing meals and what they would be, or if the prefer you precook meals (which can be time consuming). Just an idea to throw out there!

you can't do a criminal and background check in canada. having her drivers license is useless.

i wish i knew someone who lived close by jess ...you live far or else i would know someone.