Finding a Safe Sitter
It is always important to do your homework when seeking a qualified childcare worker to bring into your home. Whether you are looking for a part-time or full-time sitter, you should take the necessary steps to screen a sitter and find the best match and safest option for your family. The following are some steps that you can take when looking for an in-home childcare professional.
Assess Your Need
Research the appropriate pay based on your needs (i.e., number of children and experience needed).
Obtain Qualified Applicants
You will want to advertise for sitters in a multitude of locations to get a large pool of qualified candidates to choose from.
Conduct an In-Person Interview
Find several candidates to conduct interviews in-person, and have your applicant sign a background screening waiver so that you can conduct a screening on them.
Identify the Level of Desire
Be sure that when conducting your interviews, you are identifying that the sitter has a strong level of desire to work with kids.
Check Past Employment
Verify reliability through the three most recent employers.
Verify References
Check at least three childcare-related references as you want to make sure the applicant has the experience level that you need for your family.
Verify CPR and First Aid Training
When any childcare professional is working in your home, you should verify that they have CPR and First Aid training. This can be obtained by the local Red Cross and will help your sitter develop the skills necessary in any type of accident in the home.
Perform a Thorough Background Screening
This will give you a behind-the-scenes understanding into the worker's character and how she will react in certain situations. Make sure to find a reputable background screening company that screens each applicant's personal character history, address history, criminal and civil records as well as credit history records.
Follow Up
When you have narrowed down your candidates, follow up and find out if the schedule you desire works for their availability. You will also need to decide on a payment schedule at this point.
Set Clear Expectations
Once you have selected your childcare worker, you want to set very clear expectations for the sitter to make sure she has an understanding of what you expect in the home.
Consider In-Home Monitoring
If you choose to have an in-home camera, let the sitter know it is there and use it to your advantage by getting the most productivity out of your childcare professional. You can even utilize a two-way camera that will allow you to say "Hi" during the day to your little ones.
Update Your Lists
It is likely that you will have numerous childcare workers in your home, because people’s schedules and needs change. Be comforted in the fact that your children have you as a constant in their life and that the transition into new childcare professionals can be a welcomed change if you approach it with a great attitude.