If you’re thinking about becoming a babysitter, review these helpful tips all great babysitters should know.
Be Responsible
Always show up a few minutes early to your babysitting job to go over any last-minute details with the parents. If you are running late, then you could cause them to also be late to the function or outing they plan on attending. When you babysit, make sure you always have eyes on the children and are aware of potential dangers in your surrounding environment. You are responsible for keeping the children safe and in good health. You may be given a schedule by the parents for meals and naps along with household rules to follow. Find ways to keep the children entertained while you spend time with them. Toy blocks, puzzles, and art supplies are fun ways to engage with the children and encourage independent thinking.
Be Prepared
Prepare to be flexible when you babysit. Parents might run late and need you to stay later than expected. Kids can be extremely unpredictable and might act out in ways you don’t expect. When dealing with kids you will want to be ready for anything. In the case of an emergency, it’s important that you stay calm and avoid panicking. While it may not be required, it’s a good idea to take a babysitting class and obtain a CPR certification. A babysitting class can improve your skills and help you prepare for several possibilities you may encounter on the job. Through an in-person or online course, you can learn about child safety and behavior, diapering techniques, feeding techniques, and more. You will also learn how to respond in the case of an emergency and safely administer CPR if needed.
Communicate
While you don’t want to bombard the parents with numerous questions while they are out, you should feel comfortable reaching out to them if you need. Don’t be afraid to ask if you need to know where extra supplies are or have any questions about the care of their children. Parents will be happy to know their children are being well taken care of. Some parents even appreciate being kept in the loop with picture updates to show them how things are going. Always be honest with the parents about how everything went at the end of your job. If things didn’t go well, let them know. Talk to them about any challenges that came up and tell them how you handled things.
Use these tips to improve your skills as a babysitter and improve your chances of developing regular clients.
