Questions to Ask a Potential Babysitter

When looking for a babysitter, one of the most important components in your decision about whether to hire a particular candidate will be the interview. When employing a babysitter, ask questions regarding their experience, their extra curricular activities and where they live in order to gather useful information about whether or not they're dependable and reliable.

Questions About Previous Experience

1. What previous experience do you have?
2. How many families have you babysat for?
3. What are the ages of the children you've babysat for in the past?
4. What is the most important thing you've learned from your previous babysitting experience?
5. Why do you want to continue babysitting?
6. Can you provide me with the names and addresses of three previous employers?

Questions About Your House Rules

1. Are you familiar with our house rules?
2. Do you have any questions about these rules?
3. How will you enforce these rules?
4. What will you do when the children try to bend or break the rules?
5. How will you respond when the children follow the rules?

Questions About Handling Emergencies

1. What experience do you have handling emergencies?
2. What number would you call in an emergency?
3. How would you reach me?
4. What's the first thing you would do if there were a fire?
5. What would you do if the electricity went out?

Questions About Play Time

1. What games do you like to play with the kids?
2. If I came home unexpectedly, what might you be doing?
3. What will you do while the TV is off?
4. How will you involve the kids with meals and snacks?
5. What creative things do you like to do while you're babysitting?

Questions About Compensation

1. What is the hourly rate that you charge for your services?
2. How would you like to be paid, with cash or a check?
3. How often do you expect to be paid?

These questions will help you to find a babysitter, which would suit you the most.