Top 10 Questions to Ask When Interviewing a Babysitter

If you're a parent, you know how hard it can be to find someone you trust to watch your child. Whether you're in need of a babysitter for a date night or a full-time nanny or au pair, it's important to make sure you ask the right questions during the interview process. Here are some interview questions to ask a potential babysitter.

What experience do you have working with children? Tell me about it.

This is an important question because you want to make sure the babysitter has experience caring for children. Ask them about their past babysitting or nanny jobs, or experience working in a daycare or preschool center.

Are you CPR certified?

It's important that the babysitter is certified in CPR and knows how to handle an emergency situation.

How would you handle an emergency situation?

Ask the babysitter about their experience handling emergency situations. Or give them an example of an emergency to hear what their plan of action would be.

Can you give an example of a time when a child refused to follow your instructions?

This will give you an idea of how the babysitter handles challenging situations, and how they handle discipline.

How do you interact with children?

Observe how the babysitter interacts with your child during the interview, and ask them about their approach to childcare.

Do you have reliable transportation?

Ask the babysitter how they plan on getting to your home. This question can reveal if they might have trouble being on time.

Are you comfortable with our family's routine?

Make sure the babysitter is comfortable with your family's routine, and ask them how they plan on incorporating your routine into their childcare plan. This gives them a sense of what the job will be like so they can understand before they take it if it will end up being something they enjoy.

Can you handle any special needs or medical concerns?

If your child has any special needs or medical concerns, make sure the babysitter is comfortable handling them and has the necessary experience.

What’s something you disliked about a previous childcare position?

It's important to find someone who is going to be a good fit with your parenting style and instructions.

Can you provide references?

Ask the babysitter for references from past clients they have worked with, and make sure to follow up with those references to verify the information. You can also ask references whether the babysitter was reliable and dependable, how they were to work with on a regular basis, how they handled emergencies, and whether they would hire the babysitter again.

Remember, trust your gut instinct when it comes to hiring a babysitter. If something doesn't feel right or if you don't feel comfortable with the candidate, don't hire them. It's better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your child's safety and well-being.