5 MORE Things A Babysitter Should Know Before Babysitting

In our last blog, we offered up some important things that a childcare provider should know before babysitting. They included emergency contacts, allergies and medical conditions, daily routines, discipline preferences and house rules. Of course, there are many other important facets of the babysitting experience you should be aware of.

Here are five MORE things a babysitter should know before babysitting:

1. Favourite activities.

As a top-notch babysitter, you know how to both provide adequate care and thoroughly entertain children. Gather up as much information as you can about what each child likes to do. Remember that, in the event you’re taking care of more than one kid, you may have to split your time between different activities. Learn all about their favourite games, toys and books. Taking a page out of The Baby-Sitters Club book series, you may want to create your own “Kid Kit” comprised of fun items your care recipients will enjoy whenever you come over.

2. Behavioural expectations.

What is to be expected of your care recipient’s behaviour? This is some of the most important information you can attain from parents. Is he or she quiet and introverted? Does the child tend to exude a lot of energy? Is the kid often sad or afraid? Does he or she often act out and misbehave? Obviously, no two kids are the same. Getting a strong understanding of a child’s temperament is a key ingredient to a fulfilling babysitting experience.

3. Feeding instructions.

When it comes to feeding kids, age plays an important role. Are they old enough to feed themselves? Or do you have to help them with their meals? Get the details about meal preparation. It’s absolutely vital that you learn of any dietary restrictions. The last thing you want to do is feed a child something he or she is allergic to. As well, what are their favourite foods? Sometimes, getting kids to eat can be hard. Do you have a picky eater on your hands? Find out from the parents about the best ways to go about successfully completing meal time.

4. Pets and their care instructions.

Babysitting kids who have pets can be challenging. If you’re an animal lover, you’d be best suited for such an experience. This is because, in addition to the children, you may be tasked with caring for a pet. Do you know how to feed a dog or cat? Be sure to get instructions about the meal requirements of the pets as well as other care instructions. For example, will you need to take their pooch for a walk? In some cases, getting to know a client’s pets is as much a part of the job as caring for the kids.

5. The locations of essentials.

As a babysitter, it’s wise to know the ins and outs of a client’s home so that you are always aware of how to care for its young inhabitants. Where are the first aid supplies? How do you find all of the food items the kids want? What is the Wi-Fi password? Knowing the answers to these and other important questions will help you to feel comfortable in your surroundings. More importantly, it will enable you to keep the kids safe and assured while they are in your care.

Looking to become an expert babysitter?

SOS 4 Kids offers a Babysitter’s Course for children aged 11 to 15. Participants learn how to safely supervise young children with the help of basic first aid skills. Call us at 1-844-373-1024. You may also email us at [email protected] or fill out the form on our Contact page!