Tips

Aide-memoire for pre-engagement interviews with a potential baby sitter

In order to avoid the possibility of misunderstanding we strongly recommend that you conduct a detailed interview with all potential baby sitters before the commencement of any engagement, and record the results of this interview in writing. This aide-memoire has been prepared to assist in this interview, and contains all the questions that most commonly arise. Please use it as the basis of your interview.

Baby sitter's name:

1. Please tell us about your experience in looking after children.

• How long have you worked with a family, and what were your main duties?
• How old were the children?

• 2. What sort of things do you like to do to get children active?

  3. What would you do if one of the children felt poorly and we weren't at home?

  4. Do you smoke?

• If yes, how many cigarettes a day?
• Are you capable of abstaining from smoking in the presence of the children and in our house?

• 5. Can you cook simple meals suitable for children?

• Can you give us an example?
• If you are a vegetarian, would you happily prepare and cook meals that include meat for the children?

• 6. (If you have pets.) Do you like pets?

• Would you happily look after and feed them, and (if necessary) take them for walks?

• 7. What are your views on discipline, and how would you deal with unruly children?

• Do you believe in smacking?
• Why?

• 8. (If you require your baby sitter to be able to drive.) Can you drive?

• How much driving do you normally do, and in what sort of traffic?
• Are you a good driver?
• Have you driven with children in the car?

• 9. What are your hobbies?

• Do you like music?

• 10. When could you start (please give an exact date)?

• How long could you stay?

• 11. Have you got any holidays planned over the next few months?

• If yes, when, and for how long?
• 
  

  Please prepare answers to the following questions that a potential baby sitter is likely to ask.

  About the job

• childcare
• housework
• daily/weekly routine
• working hours

• About the children

• Age
• Personality
• School times
• Interests and hobbies

• About the home and the locality

• Public transport

• Expectations

• What do you expect of a baby sitter?
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