Checklist for your babysitter

Do you remember that African saying, it takes a village to raise a child? Well, whoever came up with that was right on the money because you need help to raise a child. Throughout your child’s development, you will rely on grandparents, other family and friends to look after your little precious one because you have to go to work, visit the doctor, pop out to the store or even to do something relaxing for yourself like have a date night with your significant other. You might even have to hire someone to babysit. The point is that you will need a babysitter in some form for your child at some point. When you leave the kiddo with grandma and grandpa you can probably just leave without much fuss but if you get a babysitter who doesn’t know your child and their habits its best to leave a checklist of information for them.

Contact information

Post a list of general and emergency numbers somewhere obvious for your babysitter, like on the fridge or by your landline phone, if you still have one of those. Make sure you have the following numbers on your list:

  • Your cell phone number. You are probably already in contact with your babysitter on WhatsApp but it’s good to still have this number on a physical piece of paper.
  • Your partner’s cell phone number. If you’re a single parent, provide your sitter with the phone number of someone trusted and local who they can call if you can’t be reached.
  • Where you can be reached, and a landline phone number of the place where you will be in case the cell phone service is disrupted.
  • Emergency phone numbers like police, fire, poison control, paediatrician, local hospital and your pharmacy.
  • Phone numbers of trusted neighbours, friends and relatives who can be contacted if you cannot be reached in an emergency. Let them know beforehand that you will have a sitter watching your kids and that they are on the emergency contact list.
Medical information about your baby

If your child has any allergies or other medical conditions or needs to take medication, tell your sitter about it in advance. Also, spell out any additional health problems such as a bad case of diaper rash or a tendency to spit up food.

Food and drink list

Speaking of allergies, your sitter needs to know about these. Leave specific instructions outlining what your baby can and can't eat and drink. If the sitter will be preparing formula or giving your baby expressed breast milk, explain exactly how to do it.

Make sure your sitter knows how to use things around the kitchen (and house in general) like the feeding chair or high chair. We recommend getting high-quality products that you and your babysitter can rely on. The Bumbo® floor seat and the Bumbo® multi seat, for example, are great in terms of quality and versatility. Looking after a baby is also hard on your knees and getting a kneeling pad also make your life and your babysitter’s life easier. Your babysitter can use the Bumbo® elipad to kneel on when they are playing with or bathing your child, to protect their knees. They can also use the elipad as a comfy seat for your toddler when you’re out and about.

Activity schedule

We’ve highlighted the virtues of a schedule in a previous post and we will do so here again. Your baby will feel more comfortable sticking to their usual routine, so let your sitter know what time they eat, go to bed and how their routine works. It's also wise to let your sitter know about any special words for favourite toys or security objects so they know what your child calls their Bumbo® multi seat for example.

House rules

Let your babysitter know what to do if your child breaks a rule or misbehaves. Let them know what time you expect your kid to be in bed and what television shows, movies or other content your child can and can’t see. If your sitter is going to take your child out let them know where they should and should not take them. Be clear about what you expect and want so that there's no confusion about what's expected.

And, finally

If your babysitter is new, ask them to come at least 30 minutes to an hour before you have to leave so that they can spend some time with the child and get to know them. Don't expect your sitter to be your cleaner. They are there to play with your child, feed them and to take care of them. They should not be expected to do housework, unless that's something that you agreed to pay extra for. Make sure you have set aside food and snacks for your sitter as well, while they are there. Also, make sure your sitter has a safe way to get home.

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References:

https://www.verywellfamily.com/what-to-put-on-a-babysitter-checklist-620333