Babysitter Training: Breaking Down Childcare Qualifications

The word babysitter can mean different things to different people. 

To some, it’s the next-door neighbor they call on at the last minute when they need a night out. To others, it’s a partner in parenting, someone with experience or training who steps in for a few hours every day. Whichever camp you fall in, your babysitter is a helpful asset in ensuring that your children are well-cared for—and they can help lighten the load when it comes to your home life.

Parents lead busy lives as it is. Add a full work schedule on top of that, and raising your children can seem like an impossible task—and that’s where a babysitter can help. But while having a sitter around will certainly always help, it’s crucial to know what type of care provider you need.

Babysitters differ in terms of training, experience, availability, and specializations, among other qualifications. 

Here are some things you should consider when looking for a babysitter for your little ones.

Basic Babysitter Training

As a parent, you want to ensure that your children are with someone who can care for and protect them. You want confidence that your sitter can deliver the same level of care that you would. As such, adequate training should be one of your first considerations when choosing a babysitter for your children.

There are many organizations that offer babysitter training, but the Red Cross is probably the lead institution for courses in babysitting basics. These courses teach aspiring care providers about child behavior, basic care, child development, and discipline—all of which are vital skills for babysitters.

Criminal and Civil Background Check

Background checks can help give you extra peace of mind and security when determining the right care provider for your children. Running a criminal and civil background check on your candidates is another key step and can offer a clearer picture of their qualifications and experience.

Make sure you do a thorough background check on all your candidates to help you make the best choice—this includes national and county-level criminal checks, Social Security scans, Sex Offender Registry checks, and a Global Watch List screening to be extra sure. (Remember to get candidates’ consent before running them through a background check, of course.)

Babysitter References

References can provide specific examples in which a candidate has demonstrated their skills. For example, a candidate might say that they are trained in CPR. But a quick phone call to their listed references can show you if this is true.

When talking to a reference, take note of the tone of their voice and demeanor. If they seem excited to talk about your prospect, consider this a positive sign! Some questions you to ask any reference might include: 

• “How long did the candidate sit for you?” 
• “Can you give me examples that showcase their dependability?” 
• “Were you satisfied with their service?”

Social Media Content

Social media is a great way to learn more about a person and their inner life. On top of criminal and civil background checks and collecting babysitter references, it is important to check out your candidates’ social media platforms. You might be able to glean more information from social media than what your candidates have placed in their bios.

For example, check their social media platforms for any instances of violence, hate speech, toxicity, drug or alcohol use, or explicit content. These can help inform you of your candidates’ personalities and what you may potentially expose your child to.

First Aid and CPR—Babysitter Training

As established, your chosen childcare provider should have undergone some babysitter training. On top of this, they must also have First Aid, CPR, and Basic Life Support training. You never know when it may come in handy! Having a babysitter trained in these disciplines can offer more confidence and security.

Younger children are also more prone to accidents. This of course includes common injuries like cuts, bruises, and scrapes. But it can also sometimes mean more serious accidents like choking, falling, and suffocation. A babysitter trained in First Aid and CPR will know how to respond to these situations and give your children the care they need.

Positive Discipline—Babysitter Training

Discipline is a crucial part of caring for children, and your babysitter may have to discipline your child while you are not around. You want to make sure they know how to discipline children correctly.

You want your childcare provider to be able to curb negative behaviors without physical or verbal harm. Children are also more likely to respond to positive discipline because they do not feel like they are being threatened. This will allow them to take responsibility for their actions and learn how their actions affect others around them.

Find A Trained, Trustworthy Sitter With Call Emmy

It can be difficult to find a babysitter that meets all of these qualifications, but it’s worth going the extra mile for the safety and well-being of your child. A babysitter with proper training, solid references, and a clean background should always be your top choice. But how can you compile all this info quickly? 

This is where Call Emmy comes in.

Call Emmy is a babysitter sourcing app specializing in truly on-demand bookings—requests are usually filled within the hour! And all their sitters are thoroughly vetted, according to a four-step process that mirrors the one above. This ensures that no matter who you pick, you know they are quality childcare professionals. Filter sitters on the app further to find someone who meets your precise needs.

The right babysitter for you is only a click away! Sign up for Call Emmy today and find the childcare provider you need!