7 Tips For Hiring An After School Nanny Or Sitter

A good after school nanny can be difficult to find. Without the right hiring and screening process completed upfront, you may rely partially on luck to locate the right caregiver for your children. To improve your efforts to hire a qualified, caring nanny or sitter incorporate these tips into your search.

1. Prepare a Job Description

When you prepare a detailed job description at the beginning, this is an easy way to quickly narrow your search to candidates who satisfy your essential needs. In the job description lay out your objectives, expectations, work schedule and other factors (such as if you want to work only with a sitter or nanny that is vaccinated against COVID-19 – UrbanSitter allows caretakers to provide this information and add it to their profile). Nanny-finding sites streamline this process, for instance UrbanSitter provides a job posting form that helps you summarize your after school care needs by ticking boxes. Don’t forget to research average nanny rates in your area to be competitive. 

2. Be Realistic About Tasks for an After School Nanny

Some parents understandably get excited about getting extra help with the kids and with chores around the house. Keep in mind even the best nanny may not be able to tackle everything you might otherwise be able to.

3. Consider Transportation Needs

Will your after school nanny need to pick up your children from school or drive them to and from their various activities? If your nanny will need transportation, ensure that the nanny has a safe, reliable car and a great driving record. Something else to think about is many families will allow their nanny to use the family car for transportation.

4. Look for Flexibility

In many cases, parents may arrive home from work at different times in the evening from day to day. If this is the case for you, find a nanny who can stay later as needed and without advance notice. If you can’t find one nanny to cover every afternoon, consider splitting the job across two sitters/nannies. The bonus is that you then have two people who you can reach out to when in a pinch.

5. Pay Attention to Values of the After School Nanny

Your nanny/sitter will spend a considerable amount of time with your children and may be responsible for preparing meals and snacks, helping with homework and enforcing rules. Ideally, their efforts will be a seamless extension of your own. Trust your gut. If something seems like it might not work out, it probably won’t.

6. Complete a Background Check

A background check should be completed on any serious candidate, and it should include a review of criminal history, credit rating, and employment history. Any red flags should be taken seriously. Reputable sites like UrbanSitter only offer nannies who have already passed a background check through a third-party service.

7. Contact References

After you have thoroughly interviewed and screened potential nannies, the matter of actually calling references may seem rather unimportant. However, the types of references the individual provides as well as what these references may say about the candidate can tell you valuable information you may have not yet learned through your other efforts.

Follow the 7 tips above to make your search for an after school nanny or sitter much easier! 

Not sure which type of after care you need? Review this list of 6 practical after care solutions.

 

Your life may be rather stressful and chaotic until you hire the right nanny to care for your children, that said, you should avoid rushing through the hiring process. You may find yourself dealing with many new problems if you do not take proper steps to make a the best selection for your family.

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After-School Babysitter: Your 101 Guide

The start of a new school year gives you a chance to get off on the right foot with a new after-school babysitter or refresh the relationship you have with existing sitters. Seize the opportunity to evaluate your after-school childcare expectations and have a candid discussion with your sitter to let her know what’s important to your family and how to best support you in caring for your child. Open and honest communication is the key to both of you getting what you want out of the partnership.

Here are five back-to-school tips to help you maximize your relationship with your after-school babysitter. These messages will go a long way toward ensuring the best possible care for your kids while you are away and will help you avoid misunderstandings or disappointments that can arise when you are not upfront with your child’s childcare provider.

1. Clearly define the hours
“After-school” care may translate differently to you and your sitter. Let the sitter know the hours you will need assistance, including whether they are in charge of dinner and bedtime. Also discuss availability and willingness to stay late in the event that you’re stuck at work, need to run a few errands or hoping to squeeze in a date night. If your return time consistently varies, you won’t be happy with a sitter who isn’t able to stay late.

2. Discuss driving expectations and rules
If your sitter is charged with dropping off or picking up your kids from school, lessons, activities or play dates you should have a frank conversation regarding your expectations for driving – including no talking on a cell phone or texting while driving. Also make sure your sitter understands the importance of your children riding in car seats and that they know how to properly install them. Do your homework before hiring a sitter to drive your kids by checking to see that the child care provider has a valid driver’s license and a safe driving history.

3. Provide snack and meal guidelines
Make your sitter your wingman in your fight to keep your family’s nutrition and health on track. Rather than hoping for the best while the kids are in the caretakers hands, let your sitter know what you’d like your child to eat while you’re away. You want the sitter to spend time playing with your kids, rather than spending time in the kitchen, so don’t require the sitter to prepare time-consuming meals and snacks.

Instead, make it a practice to keep nutritional snacks in the house. Choose snacks that your children are accustomed to eating so there is no battle of the wills. Also, make sure your sitter understands that meal prep is part of the responsibilities (if you require her to prepare your child’s dinner) and let the sitter know if you prefer that your child wait to eat with you when you return.

4. Ask the sitter to supervise homework
It’s fantastic when your after-school babysitter goes the extra mile by taking the time to help cover activities you’d be doing if you were home and will otherwise have to handle when you return. Most sitters are more than willing to lend a hand, but may not realize where their help is useful. Let your sitter know if you want them to help your child knock out their homework, log daily reading time or if your preschooler could benefit from some one-on-one practice tracing the ABCs, learning to write their name or mastering colors and numbers.

5. Set the after-school babysitter up for success
You can help your sitter do their best by providing all they need to succeed. That means making sure there are clear instructions, schedules and directions to wherever the kids will need to go. Be sure your kids’ activity bags are packed or provide details on where to find everything your child needs for lessons or practice so the sitter isn’t scrambling to find soccer cleats or stressing over what your child is supposed to bring to dance class. In addition, be sure the sitter has the food she needs for snacks or to make dinner, and that there’s a clearly marked homework spot with everything your kids need to do their work. Your sitter is there to take over while you’re away, but the sitter can do a much better job caring for your kids with a little help from you.

Your sitter will appreciate your candid discussion and be better prepared to provide your child with the best possible after-school care. You’ll both be happy you had this important conversation, and will be off on the right foot for the new school year.

Need help finding an after-school babysitter? Check out our 7 tips for hiring the best after school nanny or sitter. Here are also some ideas for some fun after-school activities.

Looking for a babysitter or nanny? Join UrbanSitter to browse profiles, sort by pay rate, and book jobs online.

Back to School: The Nanny Conundrum

Keep the Nanny Busy when kids are in school, nanny to take child to school

whitney_tang_nanny_magContributed by guest author Whitney Tang, Executive Editor of Nanny Magazine

It’s September, which means hordes of children have headed off to school, many for the first time. As you gear up for that first day of meeting the teachers and kissing your munchkin goodbye, a momentary thought might pass through your mind: What in the world will your nanny do for these three or so odd hours every day? Not paying her is out of the question. You need your nanny to be on call for all those sick days, snow days, and, heaven forbid, any emergencies. But should you really be paying her to sit around your house all morning with nothing to do? Here are some things you might want to consider to maximize your nanny’s time on the clock.

Keep Her Busy

Depending on where school is located, your nanny might not have the flexibility to go all the way back home during school hours. This is a great opportunity to ask her to pick up your child’s much-needed rain boots or craft supplies. Keep in mind that just because your child isn’t in the house doesn’t mean it’s your nanny’s downtime. School hours are the perfect time for your nanny to get caught up on your kids’ laundry and other child-related chores around the house, such as meal prep. Do you already have this covered? Let your nanny invest some time in her own professional development. Register her for an online course to enrich her childcare skills or hook her up with some great nanny-related reading to help her sharpen her skills and get new ideas to better take care of your children. The ways to make the time while your child is in class count toward your nanny’s paycheck are endless.

But Don’t Keep Her Too Busy

Keep in mind that your nanny’s top priority is your child. Even with some “free” time, you can rest assured that she is most likely planning the next great museum outing or tomorrow’s very messy (but educational!) science experiment. Good nannies rarely stop brainstorming new activities, planning new adventures, or educating themselves on caring for your child. Let your nanny use this open time to rest, think, and plot. Even the best minds need a few minutes away from the constant commotion to come up with truly great ideas.

Encourage Conversations

Do you really need eggs for tonight’s dinner but don’t have time to pick them up after work? Don’t be afraid to ask your nanny for some help. But also don’t be upset if she has something else planned. She might be busy picking up craft supplies for the afternoon’s art project or returning the nearly late library book just in time. In order to prevent yourself from becoming annoyed and your nanny from feeling pressured, be sure to open up various communication outlets. As long as a conversation is always going, each party will have better expectations for the school days ahead.

It’s Simple

Your nanny has more scheduling flexibility to take care of errands and chores when her charges are not in her direct care. Make the most of the time but don’t underestimate her. Just because your kids aren’t with her doesn’t mean she isn’t busy with their care. How do you keep your nanny busy when your kids are away at school?

If you’re looking for an after school nanny, review these tips for finding the right one for your family!

Whitney Tang, Executive Editor of Nanny Magazine is a freelance writer, a graphic design artist, and most importantly, a nanny! But the best part of her day involves a lot less typing and a lot more mess making, with glitter and flour being the usual suspects!

Find trusted nannies near you at UrbanSitter.com.

Your Guide to College Nannies and Sitters

college nannies and sitters

Curious if college nannies and sitters are the solution to your endless list of child care needs: holiday breaks, after-school care, morning car rides, and a regular Friday date night? There are a plethora of options for child care, so let’s break down the why, where, and how of hiring a college nanny or tutor, so you can decide if they are the right option for you:

Why College Nannies and Sitters?

  • Child care experience. College nannies have usually had experience babysitting for family and friends or as summer camp counselors and neighborhood babysitters. They may even have had CPR training, especially if they worked as a junior lifeguard. Many jobs available to younger individuals over the summer (i.e., camp counselor, lifeguard), allow them to acquire skills vital to babysitting.
  • Similar holiday schedules. Many kids have weeks off for Thanksgiving and Christmas when many parents still need to work. A plus for hiring college students is that they usually have the same dates off from school, allowing them the flexibility and availability to watch your kids during busy holiday periods.
  • Exploring interests. College sitters have energy and are closer in age to your kid while still possessing more maturity and cognitive thinking than a high school student. If you are lucky, you can find a student with similar passions to your kid, like ballet or painting. Not only that, but their academic studies can help them teach your child about new subjects– suddenly, your kid wants to study stars like their babysitter, who is taking an astronomy course.
  • Tutoring. If you’re looking for a tutor for your child, a college tutor will have already taken the course and still be fresh on the subject. Often, you can find a college student majoring in a similar subject to what you need to be taught to your child so the tutor will have a more in-depth understanding.
  • Flexibility. College nanny schedules can be much more flexible than other sitters. Many college students have either morning or evening classes and days where they may have no classes. This is the perfect time to accommodate helping your family.
  • Convenience. Depending on where the college is located, the nanny may be located close to your home, making transportation easy. Or if they have a car, that works out as they will be able just as easily to commute to your home and might be able to pick up your kids like an after-school sitter.
  • Affordable rates. College nannies tend to charge more competitive rates than other childcare providers, which can be helpful as care for your child can be costly. Can you believe the average cost of a babysitter in New York is $23.40/hour?! It’s crazy these days.
  • Built-in backup sitters. College sitters often have a great backup option if scheduling conflicts arise. Given how much time they spend with other college students, it’s easy for them to coordinate a trustworthy sitter-friend to cover for them. This is perfect because it means you won’t need to cancel those movie plans because your college sitter got the flu!

How to Find College Nannies and Tutors?

The next step is finding a trustworthy, interesting college nanny or tutor that fits your criteria to welcome them into your home. 

  • Take a look at UrbanSitter’s college nannies and sitters assorted by college name so you can find one in your area.
  • Check local college job boards for that college to post your own notice or find requests for childcare opportunities. 
  • Join local Facebook or Google groups affiliated with that college as well, where sitters may post looking for babysitting or tutoring opportunities. 
  • Not only that, but you can post a job on UrbanSitter or browse through UrbanSitter sitters, refining for the ones attending colleges near you. 

How to Seal the Deal

Thankfully you are at the final step. You have done your research, and college nannies and tutors are perfect for your family. How do you get them to take a job with your family?

  • Offer a fare rate equivalent to the average rate in your area, which you can access the data for on this UrbanSitter page for 2022 here. You must make sure you establish a relationship built on respect and understanding, which starts with salary. You want to make sure you let your sitter or tutor know you value their work. 
  • Offer help with transportation at night if your sitter or tutor doesn’t have a car so they feel safe staying late when you have a night out with your partner.
  • Offer flexible hours and work together on the schedule, so everyone feels comfortable about the hours and workload.
  • Allow the college sitter to do homework when the kids go to bed. Remember, they are still students and are juggling a lot with school, so understanding is always appreciated.
  • For tutoring, offering a virtual option over Zoom might seem more convenient for college students so they don’t have to spend time commuting. 

Now you’ve done it! You’re a pro at finding college nannies and sitters. No more researching a trillion different babysitter and tutoring sites. You are now ready to have a college sitter or tutor to support your family–the perfect one who fits all your criteria. Huzzah! Enjoy your stress-free childcare situation with your college nanny or sitter, and finally, try that new Italian restaurant with your partner! 

Sign up for a free account to find college nannies and sitters on UrbanSitter today.

Nanny vs Babysitter – The Pros and Cons

Nanny vs Babysitter

There are many options for childcare these days. How you decide which option to go with is a personal choice based on a variety of factors. Let’s look specifically at a nanny vs babysitter. Which is a better fit? It all depends on when and what you need the childcare for and any other responsibilities you want the caretaker to manage.

What is a Nanny?

A nanny is someone you hire to take care of your child, who becomes an employee of your family. Most nannies work a full-time job (and sign a contract) for the family, with consistent and regular hours. They are responsible for the well-being of your child and following through on the responsibilities you discuss with them. In addition, the longer period of time a nanny works for the family, the more involved they become in the development of the child and being a part of the child growing up.

What are some job responsibilities of a nanny?

  • Care for the child
  • Do minor household chores
  • Take the child to/from school or other activities
  • Plan & prepare meals
  • Organize activities
  • Keep them safe
  • Other responsibilities as discussed with the parent

Cost

The average nanny hourly rate nationwide is $19.31/hour. A typical payment schedule for a nanny is to get paid either weekly or biweekly and receive paid time off.

Pros for having a nanny

There are a lot of advantages to a nanny. A nanny can save you time, as there is typically no drop off/pick up time to factor into your day. There tends to be flexibility, the nanny may be able to come early or stay late depending on your needs (there may be additional compensation for any hours over what your contract is with the nanny). Your child gets one on one attention. Another plus is in many cases a deep bond develops and the nanny becomes a part of your family.

Cons to having a nanny

One downside of a nanny is there may be a lack of socialization with other children. Another factor to consider is the hourly rate of a nanny. A nanny typically charges a higher rate than a babysitter.

What is a Babysitter (also called a sitter)?

A babysitter is a caretaker that watches over your child when you are away. Oftentimes a babysitter can be younger and watches your child for shorter periods of time. In general, the sitter doesn’t have a set schedule, instead the babysitter is scheduled when a parent needs extra help watching their children.

What are some job responsibilities of a babysitter?

  • Watch over children
  • Make meals
  • Play with them
  • Put children to bed
  • Clean up the kids toys and/or have the kids do it
  • Keep them safe

Cost

In 2021 the average babysitter hourly rate nationwide is $18.36/hour. A babysitter is typically paid an hourly rate.

Pros for having a babysitter

An advantage for hiring a babysitter vs a nanny is the sitter is usually less expensive. If you are looking for just a few hours a week or one off occasions a babysitter is a great fit.

Cons to having a babysitter

One potential downside of a sitter as your childcare provider is how well they know your child. In other words, the more hours a childcare provider works with your child, the better opportunity to learn more about your child.

Overview Nanny vs Babysitter

Nanny vs BabysitterNannyBabysitter
Hourly Rate$19.31 $18.36
Payment Schedule Paid weekly or biweekly
Receives paid sick days and paid time off		Hourly, paid when they leave your house after each babysitting job
Work ScheduleConsistent/regular hours, oftentimes during the dayMay work a few hours at a time, oftentimes date nights
ProsCreates a close bond with your child, has set hours and compensationLess expensive, can use for one off occasions, no contract needed
RelationshipPersonal, many families form a close relationship with their nannyTransactional, unless you have set days a week that the sitter is watching your children.

The Decision: Choosing a caretaker – Nanny vs Babysitter

Choosing a childcare provider is a very important task and no answer is right or wrong. Whatever your choice, do your due diligence — have a set of interview questions ready, do a background check, contact references and read reviews if they are available. Don’t forget to make sure your expectations are clear. Lastly, trust yourself to make the choice that feels best for your family at that time.  

Need help finding a part and full-time babysitter or nanny? Search here at UrbanSitter. 

What Is An Au Pair? Pros, Cons & How To Find A Great One

What is an au pair? An au pair is a student between the ages of 18-26 who comes to the United States as part of a cultural exchange program and agrees to provide full-time child care in exchange for housing and a weekly stipend. For some families who need live-in child care, hosting an au pair may be an ideal solution. Below are some of the benefits and limitations so you can decide if an au pair is the right in-home child care choice for you and your family.

The Unique Advantages of Au Pairs

There are several pros to choosing an au pair for your childcare needs, including the following:

  • Au Pairs Provide Affordable Care
    Because au pair programs are government sponsored, costs are regulated. According to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, au pairs are paid a weekly stipend equivalent to the U.S. federal minimum wage. The stipend is based per family, so you do not pay more for additional kids. Keep in mind there are some upfront costs you will incur. These costs include, the au pair agency application fees and the placement fees (which cover recruiting, screening, paperwork processing, some travel expenses, visa and training). Once they arrive, there are additional expenses outside of the weekly stipend. These costs include providing a private room, meals, paid vacation time, and a $500 educational stipend. Even with these additional fees, au pair care is much more affordable than live-in or live-out nannies or babysitters.
  • Flexible Hours, In-home Child Care
    For those who work long or irregular hours, or need an extra set of hands, flexible child care is a top priority. Few providers can match the flexibility offered by au pairs. According to ICEF Monitor, a market research firm for the international education market, au pairs in the U.S. can work up to 45 hours per week. While they may not work more than 10 hours per day, you can coordinate your own child care schedule week to week.
  • Exposure to a New Culture
    Inviting a foreign student to live with your family is a wonderful way to introduce your children to a new culture or language. One example, according to AuPair Clearinghouse, who reviews and compares United States au pair agencies, there’s a growing trend to hire Chinese care takers. They attribute the trend to the increasing popularity of Mandarin as a language option in secondary schools, and the appeal of having a Mandarin-speaker in your own home to help your kids learn the language.

Au Pair Limitations

While there are many attractive advantages to having an au pair care for your kids, there are limitations, too, including:

  • Limited Child Care Experience
    Au pairs are students (18-26 years old) who travel to the U.S. for the educational and cultural experience. Though they are required to complete some childcare instruction, their training and experience is limited. Simply put, they are not professional childcare providers, nor do they necessarily have an interest in pursuing a career in child care. For this reason, they are often better for families who do not require infant or special needs care.
  • Short-Term Child Care Solution
    Per their contracts and visa requirements, au pairs usually live with a family for one year (though you can apply for a program extension through the U.S. Department of State). If you need someone longer term—and don’t relish the thought of finding a new solution in a year’s time—a live-in nanny may be a better fit.
  • Inability to Meet in Advance
    They are carefully screened and you can interview candidates via phone, email and video chat, but you cannot truly meet face-to-face or have a trial period before committing to a relationship.
  • Language and Cultural Barriers
    In addition to the limitations above, au pairs are students learning a new culture and often times a new language as they are getting to know your family and understanding its own unique needs. It can be a tricky adjustment period for both sides.

What is the Difference Between an Au Pair and a Nanny?

One of the most important distinctions between an au pair and a live-in nanny is that an au pair is a student you host and a nanny is an employee you hire.

For a deeper dive into the differences, read our article, How to Choose Between a Nanny, Daycare, and Au Pair. If you decide to host an au pair, there are a number of agencies approved by the U.S. Department of State who can connect you. If you decide a nanny is the better fit for your family, word of mouth, job boards, and online services, such as UrbanSitter, can help you find and meet nannies in your local area who may be just right for your family’s needs. The choice is yours!

Looking for nanny? Join UrbanSitter to browse profiles, sort by pay rate, and book jobs online.

Nanny vs Daycare – Pros and Cons

Average Babysitting Rates 2021 - UrbanSitter

A big question you ask when you are preparing for the arrival of your first child or making a change to your current childcare setup, is which is a better fit for my family – nanny vs daycare? Should you focus on a daycare or should you find a nanny near you? Both of these options have pros and cons that deserve a thorough review and comparison. Let’s review a nanny vs daycare. 

Personalized Attention

Nanny: A nanny will provide your child with personalized one-on-one attention throughout the day. The nanny can easily tailor feeding and nap schedules specifically for your child. 

Daycare: In a daycare environment, one caregiver is often assigned to watch at least six to 10 kids. The exact ratio is limited by the specific laws in your area. While daycare teachers do their best to cater to each child’s needs, their attention is understandably divided. They also must stick to a strict schedule for the benefit of the group.

Educational Benefit

Nanny: In exchange for the personalized attention a nanny can provide to your child, you may miss out on the daycare benefit of caregivers who are trained in early childhood development. A parent can get around this by hiring a nanny who has this experience. 

Daycare: A daycare oftentimes operates similarly to a pre-school, where caregivers have been trained in early childhood education. They can teach reading, motor skills, etc. to your child. 

Cost

Nanny: Generally, nannies are more expensive than daycares. If you have multiple children or do not need full-time childcare, hiring a nanny could be more economical. One way to cut down on costs is to create a nanny share and split the cost with another family.

Daycare: Many daycares are less expensive than having a full time nanny. However, some daycare rates can be astronomical, especially when you have to pay for a full day regardless of the hours you use and that cost multiplies with each additional child. 

Flexibility

Nanny: In general, a nanny can provide more flexibility. For instance, a nanny might be able to modify their hours more easily if you need them to come earlier or later on a given day.

Daycare: Daycares have fixed hours of operation and most are closed for weekends and major holidays. If you arrive for pickup late, there might be a fee. If your job requires you to be available at odd hours or for long shifts, the daycare structure is likely not suitable for you. 

Social Interaction

Nanny: If your nanny keeps your children at home all day, your child could have minimal social interaction. Parents can overcome this challenge by setting up playgroups and taking advantage of other group activities, such as music classes for the nanny and child to attend.

Daycare: The social interaction of a daycare setting is a major benefit. This daily interaction can help young children to prepare for preschool and learn how to behave in a school environment.

Physical Health

Nanny: Your home environment may be cleaner than a daycare, and your child is likely to be exposed to fewer germs as a result. Some parents prefer exposure to some germs earlier in life to help their child build immunity.

Daycare: Daycare facilities must comply with strict cleanliness standards, but germs can still spread like wildfire through the classrooms. For example, one parent may bring a sick child to class, and many other children in the class could become ill. 

Nanny vs Daycare – It’s a matter of personal choice:

The best way to determine with certainty which childcare solution is right for you is to explore each option. You can find a nanny near you that lives up to your expectations, and you can compare specific benefits against those offered by a daycare near you. Regardless of which option you decide on, make sure to ask for references and read reviews, if available.

Need help searching for a nanny? Search for part and full-time nannies at UrbanSitter

10 Babysitting Tips to Make You the Best Sitter Ever

nanny share

The best babysitters in your area have regular clients, earn a great hourly rate and take pride in what they do. The good news is that elevating your level of service may be easier to do than you may think. Incorporate these tips our sitters tell us makes them successful in your efforts to be the best babysitter ever.

1. Be Reliable.

The most valued quality a babysitter can have is reliability. Being on time, if not early, goes a long way and is appreciated by parents. Ensuring that parents trust you will help with earning regular gigs.

2.  Ask Questions.

Whether you are on the phone discussing a job possibility or you are receiving instructions before the parents leave, ask as many questions as you need to. Some babysitters assume that parents will think that they are inexperienced by asking questions, but most parents prefer that you have all of the information that you need to keep their children safe.

3. Obtain Certifications.

If you have not already obtained your CPR certification and taken a babysitter training class, now is the time to do so. You have to be prepared for all possibilities when you are entrusted with the care of someone else’s children, and these training courses provide you with invaluable information and skills.

4. Understand and Enforce Rules and Limits.

As a babysitter, you are tasked with enforcing all of the parents’ rules and limits. Most parents may tell you about their children’s ploys and behaviors, and they will likewise tell you how you can overcome those issues and enforce the rules of the house.

5. Feel Confident About Reaching Out.

Parents understandably do not want to be bothered numerous times every hour with questions and feedback, but they do want their children to be safe and properly cared for. If you need to know where the extra diapers are or if the children need sunblock on before playing outside, you should feel comfortable reaching out.

6. Be Observant.

Your eyes should be on the children at all times. You also should be aware of the potential environmental dangers that lurk nearby. Take preemptive steps to avoid dangers.

7. Stick to the Routine.

The parents will provide you with a routine to follow, including times for meals and naps. Many parents follow a schedule at home, and they want you to stay as close to that schedule as possible. If you put children to bed an hour or two later than you should, you may not be called for a second job.

8. Interact with the Children.

Your primary job is to keep the kids safe and healthy, but you also need to keep them happy and entertained. Be respectful and firm, but also friendly and fun! If you babysit regularly, it makes sense to put together a bag of books and games that are ideal for all age levels. Before each job, you can fill your bag with age-appropriate items.

9. Choose Your Clients Wisely.

Many parents in your area are looking for a babysitter, but you do not have to accept every job that comes your way. If you know that children are unruly or if you feel uncomfortable about the ages or number of children, for example, you can turn down job offers.

10. Provide Honest Feedback.

At the end of each job, parents inevitably will ask how things went. Avoid simply saying that things went well. Instead, provide honest feedback about your challenges and how you handled things.

When parents are looking for a babysitter, they want the most qualified individuals who they know will keep their children safe and happy. When you apply these tips to your efforts, you may develop several regular clients.

Babysitting Games: 4 Fun Games To Play On The Job

Babysitting jobs can seem long and even uncomfortable at times, but these four babysitting games can make the experience fun for the children and for you. Babysitting games are the perfect way to set everyone at ease and to quickly bond with the children you are caring for. While you need to gauge the interests and ability levels of the children before recommending games, below are four options you can consider.

  1. Hide and Seek

    2. One babysitting game that is sure to win over the children you are caring for is hide and seek! Hide and seek is an excellent activity that both older and younger children can participate in. Before you get started, establish ground rules. For example, you may require that everyone stay on one floor of the home and the person only needs to be found rather than tagged. For toddlers, you may simply hide a specific toy and hunt for that item together.

  2. Age-Appropriate Puzzles and Board Games

    3. Chances are several puzzles and games are stored in a closet or cabinet that the children love to play. They may jump at the chance to play with these puzzles with you. Before the parents leave, ask them where they store their puzzles and games and which are the kids’ favorites. Take it another step further and you could even bring a few games and puzzles with you. When children have access to new activities, they are often times more engaged and excited about participating.

    babysitter games, nanny games, babysitter puzzles, babysitter activities

  3. I Spy

    4. This is a quieter game that almost everyone can participate in. You can tailor how challenging it is based on the child’s age and abilities. It can be played outdoors when the weather is nice or indoors at any time of day. An alternative is to bring a search-themed book with you. These books are usually more challenging, so they are better for older children.

  4. Freeze Dancing

    5. If you are looking for a fun, active babysitting game that will help children burn off some extra energy, freeze dancing is the perfect idea. You turn on age-appropriate music. An easy way to do this is through your smartphone. You and the children can do silly dances while the music is playing. When the music stops, every will immediately freeze in the exact position they are in. This can add in a funny balance challenge depending on the dance move that is happening when the music stops.

Engage with Other Exciting Sitter Games & Activities 

Some babysitters will bring a bag of games, books and other activities with them, and others will use the items inside the home. When you actively play with the children who you are spending time with on your babysitting jobs, you can develop great relationships with them, keep them entertained and pass the time in constructive ways. Want more ideas? Here are even more babysitting activities to do. Jokes too are a hit with children!

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How to Find the Best Babysitter for You and Your Kids

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Leaving your children in the care of a stranger is understandably nerve-racking. In addition to being concerned about your children’s welfare, you may feel stressed about how well the personalities of your children and your babysitter will pair. As you prepare to find a babysitter to rely on regularly, utilize these strategic tips.

Identify Your Service Needs

Before you schedule interviews for a new babysitter, you need to prepare a job description that perfectly outlines your expectations. If this will be a recurring job, you should specify work hours. You also need to outline how many children will be cared for, how many meals and snacks need to be prepared if children need to be taken to school or extracurricular activities and more. Some people look for a nanny who will also complete light household chores. Understand that the rate that you offer should increase as you add more requirements or expectations to the job description.

Use a Screening Service

You could post an online classified ad to spread the word about your job description, but this creates a profound need to carefully screen each candidate. To do so, you will need to conduct a thorough background check, review references, and complete other essential steps. If you are looking for an easier way to identify trustworthy, qualified individuals, it makes sense to use a service provider that will connect you with several vetted professionals.

Conduct In-Home Interviews

When you have a few vetted professionals in mind, you can conduct in-person interviews. While some professionals may look great on paper, they may not seem as impressive in person for various reasons. These interviews may be conducted in your home so that your children can meet each person. This provides you with an excellent opportunity to view the interaction between the babysitter and your children. Part of your interview process may include observation of them playing and communicating.

Schedule a Few Short Sessions

You understandably want to commit to a specific individual, but you should not commit prematurely. Personality conflicts and other issues may arise when you leave your children in the person’s care for a lengthy period of time. Head out of the house for an hour or two for the first few sessions. After each session, speak with the babysitter and your children individually to get feedback. Some issues that you become aware of may easily be addressed, but others may be deal-breakers.

As you prepare to find a babysitter, you should have an open mind as well as a firm set of standards. Utilize babysitter or nanny services to streamline the process.