Finding and working with a babysitter
Many parents and caregivers use babysitters for occasional childcare – perhaps for an evening out, an appointment, or when you need some extra support. Having someone you trust care for your child in your own home can help you feel more relaxed while you’re away.
Taking a little time to find the right babysitter and preparing them with the information they need can help make babysitting a safe and positive experience for everyone.
What is a babysitter?
A babysitter is someone who looks after your child in your home for short or occasional periods of time. This might be during the evening, on weekends, or when regular childcare isn’t available.
Babysitters might be teenagers, students, family friends, neighbours or experienced caregivers. Some may be studying early childhood education or teaching, while others may have experience caring for younger siblings or family members.
The most important thing is that your babysitter is someone you feel comfortable with and trust to care for your child.
Finding a babysitter
Many whānau start by asking people they already know. Recommendations from people you trust can be a good way to find someone reliable.
You might find a babysitter by:
- asking friends, family or neighbours
- talking with other parents in your community
- asking educators from your child’s early learning service if they do occasional babysitting
- checking community noticeboards or local social media groups
- using a reputable babysitting agency.
When someone comes recommended, it can help you feel more confident about inviting them into your home and caring for your tamariki.
What to look for in a babysitter
When choosing a babysitter, it’s helpful to think about their experience, skills and how well they connect with your child.
Experience
You might want to ask questions such as:
- Have they cared for children before?
- Have they looked after children the same age as yours?
- Are they comfortable caring for more than one child?
- Do they have experience with babies or toddlers?
If you have babies or younger children, you may feel more comfortable choosing a babysitter with more experience and confidence.
References
If you don’t already know the babysitter, you might like to ask them to supply references from other families they’ve worked with. Speaking with another parent can give you a clearer idea of their reliability and how they work with children.
Training and checks
Some parents feel more comfortable if a babysitter has additional training or has proof they have passed certain checks, such as:
- a Plunket Babysitting or working with kids certificate
- a first aid certificate
- experience or study in childcare or teaching
- a driver’s licence, if transport is required
- a police vetting check.
In Aotearoa New Zealand, some agencies and organisations arrange New Zealand Police vetting for people working with children. This can provide extra reassurance for families.
Helping your child feel comfortable
It can help to introduce your babysitter before the first time they look after your child.
You might invite them to visit while you’re at home so they can spend some time playing or talking with your child. This gives your child a chance to become familiar with them and helps build trust.
Before the babysitting session, you could also:
- tell your child in advance that the babysitter is coming
- talk about what they might do together
- plan a simple activity or game
- have the babysitter arrive a little early so everyone can settle in.
Children often feel more relaxed when they know what to expect.
Sharing important information
Before leaving your child with a babysitter, make sure they have the information they need to care for your child safely.
This might include:
- your child’s routines for meals, naps and bedtime
- any allergies, medical conditions or medications
- comfort items your child might need
- guidance about behaviour and routines
- emergency contact numbers
- your address and how to contact you.
It can be helpful to write this information down and leave it somewhere easy to find.
You may also want to show the babysitter where to find important items in your home, such as:
- the first aid kit
- spare clothes or nappies
- emergency exits.
Talking about expectations and payment
Before the babysitting session, it’s helpful to talk about practical details like:
- when the babysitter is available
- what time you expect to return home
- the hourly rate or payment arrangement
- whether the babysitter will need to bring their own food, or if there will be food for them
- how the babysitter will get home safely
- how best to communicate via text, WhatsApp, messenger group etc.
Agreeing on these things ahead of time helps avoid confusion and makes sure everyone feels comfortable.
After the babysitting session
When you return home, take a few minutes to check in with the babysitter about how things went.
You might ask:
- what activities your child enjoyed
- whether there were any challenges
- anything that might help next time.
If your child is old enough, you can also ask them how they felt about the experience.
Over time, a trusted babysitter can become an important part of your support network.
