Finding the right person to take care of your kids is one of the most surprisingly difficult aspects of being a parent, mostly because there’s no value that can be placed on the peace of mind you feel when you know your children are in good hands. Thus, asking the right questions when you’re looking for a childcare providerwhether that be a full-fledged daycare, an in-home sitting service or the babysitter who lives in the neighborhoodis vital to ensuring that you wind up with a provider who will not only enrich the lives of your children, but will also become a part of your family.
Tailoring Your QuestionsChildcare comes in many different options, and your family doesn’t have the same needs as everyone else’s, so it’s important that you add a set of questions to this list to address specifics. For example, if your child has a special need that requires specific care, a health condition or severe allergies, you’ll definitely want to make sure that you make those things a part of your interview. Naturally, you will have different questions for a daycare than you would a live-in nanny, so make sure you’re covering all your bases before committing to one sitter. Using a site that can search for childcare near me might be your best option as they aggregate all the different options for you in one spot.Background and Care StyleThe following questions are the essentials that will help you decide whether this person is a safe, reliable caregiver, so you should put them at the top of the list so you’re not wasting anyone’s time. You can also build in non-negotiables here. For example, some parents will need a babysitter or nanny who’s comfortable with changing cloth diapers or taking kids to practice. Your first few questions should eliminate any worries about safety and lifestyle differences. If you don’t feel a sense of security after the first 10 or so questions, you know it’s not the right fit.
- How much experience do you have with kids?
- What age groups do you typically care for?
- What do you like about kids?
- What is your philosophy on discipline?
- How would you keep my kids engaged?
- How would you handle an inconsolable child?
- How would you handle a meltdown?
- How often would you communicate with me?
- Are you okay with cloth diapers (if using)?
- Have you ever been convicted of a crime?
- Do you have a driver’s license and a clean driving record?
- Do you mind if I run a background check?
Certifications and SafetyChildcare licensing for facilities, including daycares and family childcare homes, varies widely by state. Most states do require licensing when centers care for a certain number of children under a certain age. These licenses grant that the facility meets regulations regarding fire safety, health hazards, record-keeping, background checks, sanitation and other elements that ensure that your child is safe and well cared for. If you’re opting for a daycare or a home service that should be licensed, ask to see the license and verify with the state that it’s active. For individual caregivers and nannies, licensing of course is not required, so you’ll need to do your due diligence to make sure health and safety factors are considered.
- Do you have CPR training?
- Do you have first-aid training?
- Are you licensed and insured?
- What is your emergency protocol?
- Do you know where the nearest hospital is?
Availability and SchedulingAll families have different scheduling needs, so it’s important that you find someone who is available during the times you’re at work or have other obligations. Typically, daycare centers and home services have pretty cut-and-dry hours and availabilitywhich, of course, you should always respectbut there may be some flexibility within those parameters that you should know about. Individual babysitters and nannies have busy lives of their own, so you should always make sure that your needs correlate well with their availability.
- Are you available during the times I need you?
- How flexible is your schedule?
- If it’s a facility, what hours are you open?
- If it’s a facility, what happens if I’m late to pick up?
- Would you be open to extra hours on occasion?
- Would you be comfortable picking up kids from school, practice, etc.?
Making Sure It’s a Good FitPerhaps your interviewee has hit every single mark throughout the entire conversation, but when you get to pay, you’re on two different pages. Note that, according to the latest Care.com Babysitter Survey, the national average rate for babysitters is about $14 per hour, but that varies widely from city to city and state to state (you’ll pay more like $16 an hour in San Jose, CA and something like $12 an hour in Youngstown, OH). Besides coming to an agreement pay-wise, you’ll want to make sure that your caregiver suits your family culture. If you have a sports-centric household, you’ll probably want a sitter who’s big on sports, too. If your child needs a little extra tutoring, it’s probably best to choose someone who was a good student or who has tutoring experience.
- What are your pay expectations?
- What are your hobbies?
- Do you play sports?
- Do you like reading and homework?
- Would you be open to facilitating playdates?
- Are you comfortable with our religious or cultural needs?
- Could you occasionally cook dinner or run errands (if needed)?
Answering QuestionsThe last question you ask of your potential sitter should be, Do you have any questions for me? Make sure that you’re fostering open communication from the jump and being forthcoming about expectations, pay, hours and other factors of the job. It’s never a good idea to make your child’s caretaker feel as though she can’t come to you with issues or questions and understanding that the relationship is a partnership will help you nurture a healthy one with open lines of communication. Remember that you and your childcare provider should both be getting a positive experience from the arrangement!
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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