Jam Berry Solutions to

Babysitting Planner

Finding the Right Babysitter.

This can be a daunting process for any parent. From my personal experience, it is good to have more than one person as an option. You choice will depend on

1. The age of your child/ren
2. How long you are away for
3. What needs to be done with the children while you are away. For example, if your away for only an hour but during that time you need the children to be taken to school, a teenager without a drivers license is not an option.

Step 1

Determine the type of individual you would be happy with for each situation. Examples: A baby you would need an adult who has experience working with children or raising their own. A 9 year old would be fine with a mature teenager who does not know how to change nappies, but is great playing board games.

Step 2

Ask friends for a referral. Ask your friend how they know them, how many times have they used them, how long were you away, how much you paid them.

Step 3

Consider professional organisations like: “dial a nanny” (approach for common link/cross promotion).

Step 4

Have a list of questions ready for individuals or professionals. Examples:

1. Tell me the names and ages of some of the children you have looked after in the past. This will help you determine wether they connected with the children or whether they did it just for the money.
2. Fees or rates. This can vary from $20 for the night to $10 per hour. It is up to you to find a fee you are both happy with.
3. Do you drive? We have used a babysitter in the past that we picked up and dropped home at the end of the night. She was worth it, but clearly this may not be an ideal situation for some families.
4. Discuss the needs of your child/ren ie medications, nappy changes…put them in the picture and ask if this is an age group they are comfortable working with.
5. Discuss scenarios for first aid and CPR.
6. Discuss Pool and gate safety etc.

Step 5

Make arrangements for your babysitting appointment. This may be a regular event or a one off. I have friends who needed to work from home and engaged the services of a professional agency on a weekly basis for a few months and she was extremely happy. For most it will be a one off event, so consider the following:

1. Arrival time or pickup time. Many families are rushing to get out the door as planned so allow 10-15 minutes for your children to settle before you leave.
2. Have the agreed fee ready before the evening.
3. If you require them to read your child/ren’s favourite bedtime book, have the book ready.
4. Consider having some tea or the like available, this shows you are considerate of their needs too.
5. Fill out Jam Berry’s Babysitters Checklist and discuss any specifics with your babysitter before you leave.

Have a great time knowing that YOU have taken care of everything. Well done Mum.

Jam Berry Babysitter Planner

Enter standard information once. Save. Print several copies. Store in a folder marked “Household Planner”. Use for each Babysitting situation and you will only have to complete Schedule Information, Household Information, Details of Where we are & Approximate time home.