Searching for a babysitter used to be so easy and inexpensive. One could easily find one right next door or know a friend with a daughter who was great with kids. Nowadays with everything going on in the world, parents go that extra mile to make sure they can fully trust who is watching their kids. Thanks to online babysitting websites that process is now a lot easier.
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Ready to take the next step to find a babysitter so you can go out for date night? Finding babysitters in Canada is easy with https://canadiannanny.ca. On the other hand, if you are looking for a babysitter in the USA it’s better to go with https://sitter.com.
Here are three steps you can take using either of these two websites to ensure you find the perfect babysitter for your family:
- Locate a Provider: Using either sites directory, you will find results based on experience or services offered along with childcare needs.
- Connect With Matches: You can reach out to potential hires through the platform by instant messaging or a simple phone call.
- Shortlist Favorites: Narrow down, interview and hire the chosen babysitter on the spot. So easy, huh?
Before fully deciding, keep the following points in mind:
Budget
When finding a babysitter, take your budget into consideration. You want a babysitter that will provide your children with the best care at a price you can afford. Think about how often you will need a sitter, how much you can pay and if there will be any additional costs such as meals, gas, etc.
Prior Experience
Then you will want to think about prior experience. No parent wants to hire someone who has no experience especially if you have a young baby or special needs children. Then again, experience doesn’t always necessarily mean it will work out for your family. You want someone who fits the bill perfectly and who has a base knowledge of potty training, food prep, discipline, or education.
Ask Questions
Ask the potential babysitter a few questions (or all of these) to get a feel for who they are:
- How long have you been babysitting?
- Are you ever available on short notice?
- Do you have reliable transportation?
- Do you have experience caring for children of [X] age?
- What activities do you like to do with kids?
- How comfortable are you enforcing household rules?
- How do you typically deal with behavior issues?
- This is a [screen-free/sugar-free/dairy-free/pet-friendly/non-smoking/etc.] home. Are you comfortable with that?
- What’s your favorite thing about babysitting?
- What do you look for in an employer?
- What do you find most challenging about caring for children?
- Have you taken any child care classes? If yes, ask to see certification papers.
Interaction
When it comes to picking someone, do what you must to ensure the person is reliable. Do an in-person interview, call the list of references to ensure they check out and even consider job shadowing. Follow them around to see how they interact with your kids. Doing this provides peace of mind for not only you but your children too. If you get a bad vibe, don’t hire them.
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Finding a babysitter should not be a job in itself. My best advice though is to choose carefully, don’t pick the first person that comes along and trust your gut. Don’t stress. When you find the right person, you will know. Good luck!