Sittercity Guide

Turning a new baby sitter into a trusted child care provider is easy if you communicate well and always consider his or her needs as well as your own.

Instructions

Things You’ll Need:

* First Aid Kits
* Spiral Notebooks For Emergency Information
* Other Games
* Chidren's Toys

Step1 : Pick up the baby sitter on time.
Step2 : Show the baby sitter around before you leave the house. Indicate where necessary items for the children are, where the telephone is located, where the TV is and how it works, and how to lock doors.
Step3 : Warn the sitter if there is an expected problem with a child (for example, "Johnny always cries for 30 minutes after we leave").
Step4 : Give the baby sitter some idea of what your children would like to do, to eat or to watch on TV as well as a list of things you do not want your children to do.
Step5 : Reiterate any safety precautions, such as "Don't tell anyone who calls that we are not home," and "Don't open the door to strangers."
Step6 : Tell the baby sitter the children's bedtime and explain the bedtime routine (bath, brush teeth, etc.).
Step7 : Leave a phone number where you can be reached.
Step8 : Have something in the house for the baby sitter to eat and drink, and tell the baby sitter those items are for him or her.
Step9 : Tell the baby sitter ahead of time that you don't want the baby sitter to fall asleep no matter what time you get home, if this is the case.
Step10 : Tell the baby sitter what time you will return, and return at the promised time.
Step11 : Check in with the baby sitter at least once to make sure all is well.
Step12 : Pay the baby sitter immediately once you return - unless you have agreed otherwise.

Tips & Warnings

* Baby sitters are not responsible for following your wishes when you haven't expressed them.

By eHow Parenting Editor
Source http://www.ehow.com/how_3330_treat-baby-sitter.html

Make caring for your child as easy as possible for the sitter by preparing your house and emergency contacts ahead of time.

Instructions

Things You’ll Need:

* Emergency Instructions
* Emergency Telephone Numbers
* First Aid Kits
* Dry Erase Boards
* Dry Erase Markers
* Pads Of Paper
* Outlet Covers

Step1 : Check your home for safety. Put away items that may cause an accident or fire. Cover outlets and stash loose electrical cords. Lock doors that lead to a swimming pool.

Step2 : Invite your sitter over to meet your children before your first outing. Offer to pay for the sitter's time and watch how your child and the sitter interact.

Step3 : Ask your sitter to arrive 15 to 30 minutes before you are scheduled to leave, so your child and the sitter can spend some time getting comfortable.

Step4 : Provide your sitter with emergency information. Include a phone where you can be contacted, your home number and the name and number of a neighbor the sitter can contact for help. Also leave the name and number of your child's doctor.

Step5 : Write down your child's full name, age and insurance information.

Step6 : Write down directions to your house, should the sitter need to request help. Include your address and any important landmarks or cross streets.

Step7 : Tell the sitter about any medications your child must take. Write down amounts and times medication should be taken, as well as any allergies your child has to food or medicine.

Step8 : Give the sitter a tour of your house. Show him or her where to find anything your children might need and indicate which rooms are off-limits.

Step9 : Establish clear rules to be followed while you are absent. Include feeding and sleeping schedules and note which food is available for your child and the sitter. Let the sitter know your child's do's and don'ts.

Step10 : Go over any routines you normally follow. Following the same bath or bedtime routine will help your child feel more comfortable and create less chaos for the sitter.

Step11 : Clarify which forms of discipline are acceptable and unacceptable. Indicate where a timeout can take place and how long it should last.

Step12 : Let your sitter know if visitors can come by and how many you allow in your house.

Step13 : Leave paper and a pen for your sitter to take phone messages.


Tips & Warnings

* Use the Interactive Childcare Planner from the Related Sites list. You can type in the information and print a complete form for the sitter to follow.
* Try to use the same sitter every time you go out.
* Talk to your sitter immediately about any problems you feel are occurring in your absence.

No matter how good your prospective baby sitter's recommendations, you need to be sure he or she will fit your family's needs.

Things You’ll Need:

* Address Books
* Reference Checks
* Pads Of Paper

Instructions

Step1 : Call the prospective baby sitter on the phone.
Step2 : Let her know if a friend has recommended her so she knows you are a friend of a trusted client.
Step3 : Ask about her experience and the ages of the children she is used to baby-sitting.
Step4 : Determine the days and hours she is available and the fee she charges (or discuss what you are willing to pay). Find out if she has had any emergency or first-aid training.
Step5 : Get a list of references, including names and phone numbers.
Step6 : Call references. If references check out, invite the baby sitter to your home for 30 minutes to an hour.
Step7 : See how she relates to your child(ren) and how they (and you) relate to her.
Step8 : Hire the baby sitter if you are satisfied.

Tips & Warnings

* If you have a newborn, be especially careful to hire a baby sitter who has experience with small babies. Newborns have special needs that the average teenager may not be able to accommodate.
* Baby sitters recommended by friends often turn out to be the best sitters you can find.
* For inexpensive and reliable baby-sitting, consider swapping baby-sitting time with a trusted friend.

Saying goodbye can be just as hard (if not harder) for parents as it is for children.
Goodbyes are a very important part of the process in helping children feel safe and confident when they're apart from Mom and Dad.

Instructions
Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Things You’ll Need:

* Baby Blankets
* Infant/toddler Toys

Step1 : Spend some time with the baby sitter and your child before you leave for the first time, so that your child knows that you trust this baby sitter.
Step2 : Say goodbye to your child every time you leave, even if your child is busy playing.
Step3 : Keep it short and sweet - drawn-out goodbyes are hard on everyone.
Step4 : Tell your child (no matter how old) that you are leaving and when you will be back.
Step5 : Remind your child that the baby sitter will be caring for her.
Step6 : Establish a goodbye routine, such as a big hug and kiss or a last goodbye from a window.
Step7 : Communicate clearly with the baby sitter about ways to help your child separate from Mom and Dad.
Step8 : Encourage your child to hold something special, such as a soft blanket or toy, to comfort herself as she is saying goodbye.
Step9 : Keep photos of Mom, Dad and others around for her to gaze at when she is missing the family.
Step10 : Ask about her day and encourage her to talk about her feelings when you come home.
Step11 : Keep in mind, strategies for successful goodbyes that work with one child may not work with another.
Step12 : Remember, your child can sense your stress. Trust your instincts and try to say goodbye with confidence and love.

Tips & Warnings

* Read to your child from a book that tells about another child spending time with a baby sitter, to help her cope with feelings of anxiety about separating.

Whether you pay your baby sitter once a month or at the end of every baby-sitting session, it's important that you both agree on the process.

Instructions
Difficulty: Easy
Things You’ll Need:

* Cash
* Checks
* Envelopes

Step1 : Bring up the subject of payment before hiring the baby sitter.
Step2 : Ask how much the sitter charges per hour, or state what you are willing to pay. Negotiate if necessary until you reach an agreement.
Step3 : Agree on a method of payment. Younger baby sitters often prefer to be paid in cash, while older teenagers will accept checks.
Step4 : Agree on expediency of payment. Options include paying the baby sitter after each baby-sitting session, or paying at the end of the week or month.
Step5 : Keep

Tips & Warnings

* If you have agreed to pay your baby sitter in cash when the baby-sitting assignment is completed, always have enough cash on hand to cover the cost.
* Just because your baby sitter is a close friend or family member, don't assume that the baby-sitting is free. Hard feelings inevitably result from such misunderstandings.

By : eHow Parenting Editor

Turning a new baby sitter into a trusted child care provider is easy if you communicate well and always consider his or her needs as well as your own.

Things You’ll Need:

* First Aid Kits
* Spiral Notebooks For Emergency Information
* Other Games
* Chidren's Toys


Step1 : Pick up the baby sitter on time.
Step2 : Show the baby sitter around before you leave the house. Indicate where necessary items for the children are, where the telephone is located, where the TV is and how it works, and how to lock doors.
Step3 : Warn the sitter if there is an expected problem with a child (for example, "Johnny always cries for 30 minutes after we leave").
Step4 : Give the baby sitter some idea of what your children would like to do, to eat or to watch on TV as well as a list of things you do not want your children to do.
Step5 : Reiterate any safety precautions, such as "Don't tell anyone who calls that we are not home," and "Don't open the door to strangers."
Step6 : Tell the baby sitter the children's bedtime and explain the bedtime routine (bath, brush teeth, etc.).
Step7 : Leave a phone number where you can be reached.
Step8 : Have something in the house for the baby sitter to eat and drink, and tell the baby sitter those items are for him or her.
Step9 : Tell the baby sitter ahead of time that you don't want the baby sitter to fall asleep no matter what time you get home, if this is the case.
Step10 : Tell the baby sitter what time you will return, and return at the promised time.
Step11 : Check in with the baby sitter at least once to make sure all is well.
Step12 : Pay the baby sitter immediately once you return - unless you have agreed otherwise.

Tips & Warnings

* Baby sitters are not responsible for following your wishes when you haven't expressed them.


By : eHow Parenting Editor
source : http://www.ehow.com/how_3330_treat-baby-sitter.html

Instructions

Things You’ll Need:

* Yellow Pages

Step1 : Ask friends or colleagues whom you trust to recommend a good baby sitter.
Step2 : Find an agency. Look in the Yellow Pages under "Child Care" or "Babysitting."
Step3 : Interview all prospective sitters over the phone. Ask about experience, fees charged and any emergency training the person has had. Ask for references.
Step4 : Check the references.
Step5 : Call the sitter back if he or she seems like a good fit and arrange a meeting in your home.
Step6 : Observe how the prospective sitter interacts with your children, how your children respond to the sitter and whether you relate well to the person you are considering.
Step7 : Have the sitter baby-sit for a short period of time while you are not far away.
Step8 : Continue to hire the sitter if all goes well.

Tips & Warnings

* Although you can advertise for sitters at local colleges, in the newspaper and even online, those recommended by trusted friends are generally the best bet.
* Many parents with young kids swap baby-sitting with friends. This ensures that you always have a trusted sitter and helps save money on baby-sitting.
* Be sure you feel comfortable with and trust your sitter before leaving your children in his or her care.

By : eHow Parenting Editor
source : http://www.ehow.com/how_3328_find-baby-sitter.html