One of the most important parts of hiring a new babysitter is getting the chance to interview them about their qualifications. The word “interview” might sound intimidating to some people, but in reality, the interview is your chance to get to know a potential sitter on a deeper level—to see what makes them tick and, most importantly, to determine whether you want to open your home and expose your children to them.
While you may be inclined to get to know a potential sitter on a more personal level, you’ll also want to be sure to ask the right questions so that you glean the information needed to make an informed decision about their childcare skills. We consulted some industry experts and had them help us put together a list of the key questions to ask a babysitter during an interview. Here’s what we came up with.
Basic babysitter interview questions
If you’re planning to hire a neighbour or someone who was recommended by a friend, you probably won’t need to conduct as extensive an interview as you might with a stranger. But you’ll still want to ask some baseline questions about their experience, talk about any specifics related to house rules or discipline, and go over any must-know information about your children and family.
You might ask a potential babysitter questions like:
- 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 behaviour issues?
- This is a [screen-free/sugar-free/dairy-free/pet-friendly/non-smoking/etc.] home. Are you comfortable with that?
More in-depth babysitter interview questions
If you’re speaking with a candidate you’ve never met before or someone you’re hoping to hire on a long-term basis, then you’ll probably need to conduct a more thorough interview to really get to know them. In those instances, we and the experts recommend having a list of things that are important to you and asking very specific questions about those things.
Get to know their childcare background
In addition to the questions already mentioned above, seek more detailed information about the babysitter’s skills, experience, and what kind of job they are looking for.
- What’s your favourite 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 childcare or safety classes? If so, may I see copies of your certificates?
- Would you be willing to submit to a background check?
Align on duties and expectations
Think about what a typical “shift” might look like for your babysitter, and tailor these questions to the exact kind of care your children need. Don’t forget to ask about special circumstances like allergies, pets, special health needs, and house rules.
- This job will require changing nappies. How comfortable are you with that?
- Are you willing to prepare meals and snacks for my child?
- Are you willing to assist with homework?
- How often do you rely on screens when caring for kids?
- Do you have experience caring for children with allergies?
- Do you have experience caring for children with special needs?
- What would a typical day/evening/afternoon caring for my children look like?
Ask about safety
Make sure your potential babysitter knows how to ensure your child’s physical safety, particularly if you have young children or the sitter will be responsible for driving them around.
- Do you have training in CPR, first aid, or water safety? If so, can you provide your certificate(s)?
- Are you aware of the current recommendations for safe sleep and preventing SIDS?
- Are you familiar with foods that cause choking and how those foods should be prepared?
- Have you ever had to handle an emergency while on the job? What did you do?
- How long have you been driving and do you have a clean driving record?
- Are you comfortable using and installing car seats?
Give them scenarios
If you still have questions about whether or not a potential babysitter is a good fit, try giving them scenarios and asking them to explain how they’d respond in each situation.
- You’re putting my child to bed and you notice they have a fever. What do you do?
- The baby starts choking while playing with toys. How do you react?
- My child won’t stop crying for me after I leave. How do you respond?
- The toddler is throwing a tantrum. What do you do?
- The baby had a huge explosion in their nappy. How would you handle it?
Red flags to note
The interview is an opportunity to get an overall feel for the babysitter and to make note of any areas where they might fall short of what you’re looking for. Be cautious of someone who:
- Forgets about an interview.
- Doesn’t return phone calls or reply to emails to schedule the interview in a timely manner.
- Shows up late.
- Speaks negatively about past clients or children they’ve cared for.
- Seems unwilling to perform the basic functions of the job.
- Seems distracted or unenthusiastic.
The key is to find someone who is great with children and who can also serve as a role model for them.
