Tips for using babysitters
If you need a babysitter to look after your baby or young child, it is important to feel confident that whoever this is, they have a good understanding about caring for babies and children; and will know what to do if there is any sort of problem or emergency. When arranging a babysitter for your baby, you will want to know:
- about their knowledge and experience in caring for babies and young children or whether they have any qualifications
- whether they know about children's development and what to expect at different ages and stages
- who else might come with them when they are looking after your child
- what play activities they would offer your child
- what they would do to settle your baby
- what they would do if they couldn't stop your baby crying or couldn't settle your baby
- how they would react to any challenging behaviour your child might display.
Important information for your babysitter...
Tell your your babysitter about strategies that work for you, write down important information and put an Emergency Action Plan on the fridge:
- How you settle your baby or young child
- Routines for meals, play and bed time and nappy changes or toileting
- Bed or nap time rituals.
- How you guide your child's behaviour, help their learning and keep them safe
- Activities, games and books your child enjoys and TV or movies your child is allowed to watch
- Your house rules and security measures
- Food and drink preferences
- Allergies to food, drinks, ointments or creams or additional needs your child has.
- Where your home telephone is.
An Emergency Action Plan should include things like:
- your contact details and the time you are due back
- another reliable emergency contact person
- what to do if your child has an allergic reaction, serious injury or
suddenly becomes very unwell
- a safe emergency escape route from your house
- useful telephone numbers such as the Poisons Centre (13 1126),
healthdirect (1800 022 222) and 000 for emergencies
- your home telephone number, address details and nearest crossroad.
Medication
If you need your babysitter to give your child any medication give them clear written instructions about how much, at what time. Ask the babysitter to write down each time they carry out your instructions.