Hiring & Vetting
Interview Questions
15 questions
How long have you been babysitting, and what age groups have you worked with?
Can you describe a typical evening you'd have with a child my kid's age?
Tell me about a challenging situation you faced with a child and how you handled it.
Do you have references I can contact? Tell me about your last family.
Are you CPR and first aid certified? When did you last renew?
What would you do if my child had a severe allergic reaction?
Have you ever had to call 911 or handle a medical emergency with a child?
What would you do in a house fire or if the power suddenly went out?
How do you prefer to send updates to parents while you're watching a child?
If my child refuses to eat or go to bed, what would you do?
How would you handle it if my child was scared or upset and crying?
What is your approach to screen time for kids?
Are you comfortable following our family's specific routines or dietary needs?
Why do you enjoy working with children?
Are you looking for ongoing regular bookings or occasional one-off jobs?
Safety & Emergency
10 checks
Verify CPR & first aid certification Must be within 2 years
Confirm sitter understands any allergy action plans or EpiPen protocol
Sitter knows the full home address for 911 dispatch
Show sitter the location of the first aid kit
Review all emergency exit routes in the home
Confirm sitter has emergency contacts saved in their phone
Review medications, dosages, and timing if applicable
Discuss symptoms that warrant a pediatrician call vs. 911
Confirm comfort with infants if child is under 12 months
Share security code, alarm instructions, or camera policy
Leave on the Counter
First-Night Info Sheet
11 items
Your cell phone number (always reachable) Include a backup number
Emergency contact if you're unreachable
Child's pediatrician name and phone number
Nearest ER or urgent care address
Home address written out (for 911 dispatch)
Known allergies and reaction protocol
Current medications and dosage times
Bedtime and wake time for each child
Bedtime routine (bath, books, songs, etc.)
Approved snacks, dinner plan, and screen time rules
Off-limits areas and security system codes
Green Flags — Great Sitter Signs
8 signs
Arrives on time and proactively communicates if running late
Asks thoughtful questions about your child's routine and personality
Gets down to your child's eye level and engages warmly
Mentions CPR certification and takes safety questions seriously
Can describe a typical babysitting evening with specific detail
References speak warmly and specifically about them
Welcomes a paid trial shift while you're home nearby
Responds to messages consistently and within a reasonable time