Checklist for meeting a babysitter
Oppass.nl does not check babysitters, so the first meeting is your moment to ask thorough questions. Print this checklist and keep it handy. You do not need to ask every question: choose what matters for your family.
About experience
- What ages have you babysat before?
- Do you have experience with babies, or with children who need extra attention?
- Who can I ask for a reference? May I call them?
- Do you have a VOG, and may I see it?
- Have you done a paediatric first aid course? When?
About practicalities
- Which days can you do, and for how much longer?
- What do you charge per hour, also at night and on public holidays?
- How do you get here, and how do you get home in the evening?
- What happens if you are ill or have to cancel?
- How do we pay you: cash or bank transfer, and when?
About the children
- What do you do if a child will not sleep or is very upset?
- How do you handle a child pushing back against rules?
- What do you most enjoy doing with children?
- What do you do with your phone while babysitting?
- May I ask you for photos or updates, and how do we agree that?
What you arrange
- Let the babysitter and your child play together first while you are at home.
- Give a tour: first aid kit, fuse box and keys.
- Hang up the emergency card, with your phone number and the address.
- Agree when you can be reached and when the babysitter should call you.
- Keep the first time short, for example two hours.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a first meeting with a babysitter take?
Allow half an hour to an hour, at your home, with the children there. That way you see how the babysitter treats them and the children can get used to them.
Do I need to pay for a first meeting?
You agree that together. Many parents do not pay for a half-hour meeting, but do pay for a trial babysit. Say so beforehand, so everyone knows where they stand.
What works best for the first babysit?
Short and during the day, while you are nearby. If that goes well, you can make it longer afterwards.
What if I have doubts after the meeting?
Trust your instincts. You do not need to explain why you are not choosing someone. Thank the babysitter for their time and say you are choosing someone else.
Want to read more? See the guide first meeting with a babysitter (in Dutch) and choosing a babysitter safely.
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