How to Interview Your Babysitter’s References

The last step in the hiring process is often checking a babysitter’s references, and it can be one of the most stressful for parents who aren’t accustomed to conducting interviews. Past employers and personal references can give you a more accurate view of a promising babysitter candidate, especially if you’re nervous about leaving a relative stranger alone with your children for an extended period of time.

It can be tempting to bypass the hurdle of interviewing your babysitter’s references, especially if you’re already sure you’re going to hire them. Still, there are things no prospective employee will tell you about themselves, which you may be able to learn through firsthand accounts with other parents. In this case, the best and most reliable source you’re likely to have are the former employers and professional references provided. While a babysitter candidate is likely to only provide contact information for those who will provide a glowing reference, there are still valuable bits of information which can be gleaned through a quick conversation. Learning which questions to ask in order to address common concerns and gain a different perspective on a potential sitter can make the experience less stressful and more enlightening.

Questions to Ask When Interviewing a Babysitter’s References

Though you’ll certainly want to supplement any list with questions unique to your specific concerns, there are some crucial points you’ll want to address during an interview with any babysitter’s references.

• Dependability and Reliability – Even the most engaging and attentive babysitter can cause a problem if they’re not known for showing up on time. Asking about reliability and dependability allows you to determine how likely a sitter is to cancel at the last minute, show up late or otherwise ruin your schedule.

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• Work History – During an interview with personal or professional references, it’s always a good idea to ask each reference about the capacity in which they know the sitter. For former employers, you should also ensure the sitter worked for at least one of them in a childcare capacity. You can get an accurate view of dependability, trustworthiness and all-around work ethic from a reference who hired the sitter to work in another capacity, but not their competence as a childcare provider. Make sure at least one of the provided reference has experience with this sitter in a childcare related field to ensure the requisite experience level.

• Problem Areas – While every parent would love to hire a sitter who’s absolutely perfect, unfortunately, they’re all human. This means there will be some area of imperfection with any sitter, and knowing which one you can expect from a new sitter allows you to address it or compensate accordingly. Make a point of asking references about particular problem areas or recurring issues they’ve encountered.

• Likelihood of Rehiring – One of the best and most effective ways of determining the true feelings of a babysitter’s references is simply to ask if they’d be willing to hire this specific sitter again. If they hesitate or provide an outright negative response, you’ll know you may need to give more thought to your hiring decision.

• Injuries and Incidents – Accidents can and often do happen, even under the supervision of a competent babysitter. When asking a babysitter’s references about any injuries which may have occurred on their watch, the most important thing to take note of is how the situation was handled. A sitter who deftly managed an emergency or severe injury shows a capability to do so again, should the situation arise.

• Children’s Opinions – For references who have hired a sitter in a childcare capacity, ask about the relationships he or she formed with the children under their care. If the children were uncomfortable with a sitter and asked for another, this is information of which you will want to be aware. On the same token, a babysitter who was beloved by their charges is has another mark in their favor at the end of the interview.

Learning more about a babysitter before making a hiring decision not only leaves your children in thoroughly-vetted hands, but also can increase your peace of mind. Knowing you’ve been diligent in checking references, interviewing carefully and making the right selection can help you to avoid some of the anxiety which often accompanies hiring a new sitter to watch your children for the first time.