The families that rehire a sitter week after week are not just hiring someone who keeps the kids safe. They are hiring someone who shows up prepared — with a plan for the evening, activities in their bag, and the kind of quiet readiness that makes parents feel good about leaving. Preparation is visible. Here is exactly what to bring.
Your Core Babysitter Kit
Keep a dedicated bag or tote that you bring to every job. A consistent kit means you never forget anything important — and it signals to families that you are organized and serious about what you do.
- Activity supplies for the age group (see below)
- Basic first aid: adhesive bandages in multiple sizes, alcohol wipes, hand sanitizer
- Notebook and pen — to write down anything parents tell you at drop-off
- Your phone, fully charged, with parents' numbers and the home address already saved
- A light snack for yourself — if the kids eat at 6pm and parents are not back until 10, you will be glad you have it
- Any certifications or emergency authorization paperwork if the family is new
Activity Supplies by Age Group
One of the most common sitter mistakes is showing up without any plan for what to do. Even if the family has toys, bringing your own activities tells kids you are excited to spend time with them — and gives you a backup when their favorite toy is broken or their mood needs something new.
Babies and Infants (0–12 months)
- A soft board book — reading aloud is calming even before they understand words
- A simple sensory item (crinkle toy, soft rattle) if you have one
- The parents' notes on feeding schedule, nap times, and soothing methods matter more than anything you bring
Toddlers (1–3 years)
- Simple art supplies: crayons and a coloring book — mess-contained, age-appropriate
- A foam puzzle or stacking toy — new items are almost always more engaging than familiar ones
- Bubbles — simple, cheap, and consistently magical for this age
Preschoolers (3–5 years)
- A small craft kit: construction paper, stickers, glue sticks, safe scissors
- A simple board game like Candy Land, Memory, or Go Fish
- A picture book you can read together
School-Age Kids (6+)
- A card game — Uno, Sushi Go, or a classic deck with a game in mind
- A small puzzle or activity book
- Something for after bedtime: a book for yourself, or a podcast with headphones
Keep It Age-Appropriate and Low-Mess
Avoid bringing activities that require a lot of cleanup (glitter, Play-Doh, finger paints) unless you have specifically cleared it with the parents. And always leave the space at least as clean as you found it — that detail is remembered.
Safety Essentials to Have on Hand
Your CPR certification is the most important safety tool you have — but a few physical items are worth keeping in your bag as well.
- Adhesive bandages in multiple sizes (scraped knees happen)
- Alcohol wipes or hand sanitizer
- Disposable gloves — for any situation involving blood or bodily fluids
- Your phone with the nearest ER or urgent care address already saved — look this up before the job, not during
On allergies: ask parents at drop-off if there are any food allergies or medical conditions you should know about. Even if it is in their profile, confirming in person — and getting the EpiPen location if applicable — is due diligence. Every time.
What to Wear
This sounds trivial and matters more than you would think. Your clothing affects your first impression and your ability to do the job.
- Wear clothes you can move in. You may be on the floor building blocks, chasing a toddler around the yard, or doing bath time. Jeans and a t-shirt are fine.
- Closed-toe shoes. You might be walking to the park, or a child might drop something heavy.
- Avoid long, dangling earrings or necklaces. Infants and toddlers grab. It hurts.
- Keep it clean and tidy — not formal, but professional enough that parents feel good about introducing you to their child.
Digital Prep: What to Have Ready on Your Phone
Before you arrive at any job — especially with a new family — take five minutes to do this:
- Save both parents' cell numbers with their names. In an emergency, you do not want to be scrolling through your messages.
- Save the home address. If you ever need to call 911, you need to give them an address instantly.
- Look up the nearest ER and urgent care. Add both as contacts. Hope you never need them.
- Download an offline game or activity app if you are working with older kids and the family's Wi-Fi might not allow streaming.
- Charge your phone to 100% before you leave. This is non-negotiable.
For Your First Time With a New Family
The first booking with any family is an audition, whether they frame it that way or not. A few extras make a strong impression:
- Arrive 10 minutes early. It gives you time to do a quick walkthrough — exits, first aid kit location, where the kids sleep — before parents leave.
- Bring a small 'getting to know you' activity. Something simple — a book, a craft, a card game — that you introduce yourself with. It breaks the ice fast.
- Write everything down at drop-off. Parents will tell you the bedtime routine, dinner situation, what the kids can and cannot have. Take notes. Do not trust your memory at 9pm when things get chaotic.
- Ask one thoughtful question before parents leave. Something specific to the child — 'Is there anything she usually needs to feel settled when you first go?' — signals that you are paying attention.
Pre-Job Packing Checklist
- ☐Age-appropriate activity or craft supplies
- ☐Adhesive bandages and hand sanitizer
- ☐Notebook and pen
- ☐Phone fully charged
- ☐Both parents' numbers saved in phone
- ☐Home address saved in phone
- ☐Nearest ER / urgent care address looked up
- ☐Comfortable, movable clothing
- ☐Light snack for yourself (for longer jobs)
- ☐Certification documents (new family or first booking)
Build a Profile That Shows You Are Prepared
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