How to Interview a Baby Sitter
Particularly in light of television-show investigations of nannies, au pairs, and babysitters, many parents are leery of letting anyone outside of the family watch or take care of their children for fear of their babies being mistreated by someone they didn't know enough about.
You'll need to interview each candidate, ask for references, and make sure you feel 100 percent comfortable. Start the process as early as your fifth month of pregnancy to give yourself plenty of time to hire the right people.
Essential
Ask potential babysitter questions such as: How long have you been babysitting? Do you have references? What do you enjoy most about working with children? What do you enjoy least? Why do you think you would be a good sitter for my child? What would you do in an emergency situation? Is your schedule flexible?
Be as Careful as Possible
Remember that this is one of the most important jobs you will ever hire anyone to do. It's not out of bounds to consider running a background or police check on someone you'd like to hire. If you're looking for more than occasional babysitting, you'll need to be even more cautious, and ask more questions. (Find advice on how to find a daycare situation that meets your needs.)
