Getting started

Before accepting a job, clear it with your folks to make sure that it doesn’t interfere with other family/personal commitments. Baby-sitting is a big responsibilty – be punctual and reliable.

¢ Tour the house: Familiarize yourself with the general layout of the home. Find out where medicines and first-aid kit are kept. Are there any alarms or special window or door locks?

¢ Write down where the parents are going to be and a phone number where they can be reached.

¢ Have emergency numbers (doctor, fire department, police and poison control) written down. Also, be sure to have the address of the home you are sitting at in case you need to call for help.

¢ Cover fire safety procedure. Does the family have a fire escape plan? If the children are old enough, teach them the stop, drop and roll procedure.

¢ Be sure to ask if there are any special dietary or medical considerations. Get written instructions.

¢ During mosquito season, whenever you or the children you baby-sit head outdoors, spray them and yourselves with mosquito spray. This should only be done with children ages 3 and up. Do not put mosquito spray on children 2 or younger. They should be kept indoors during this time. Avoid spraying or applying the spray to the face or hands. Be sure to wash hands thoroughly before eating.

¢ Practice common courtesy. Leave the home as clean as you found it. If you dirty some dishes, wash them. If you and your charges get out games or toys, pick ’em up. Hang up towels after bathtime, dispose of dirty diapers and put dirty clothes in the hamper.

¢ Are there any chores or homework that need to be done?

¢ Take special precautions if the home has a pool. Check for doggie doors and any unlocked doors or windows leading to that area.

Heading off problems

¢ Take a peek before answering the door. Never open the door to anyone until checking to see who is there.

¢ Do NOT have friends over, unless arranged ahead of time with the parents.

¢ Pay attention. Try to be aware of your surroundings and potential problems: Smoke? Fire hazards? Choking hazards? Breakables? Sharp objects? Plastic bags? Matches?

¢ Any special discipline techniques (timeouts, no desserts, etc.)?

On the job

¢ Find out ahead of time if there are any restrictions on TV viewing or using the computer and Internet.

¢ Ask if you can watch television or use the computer after the children are asleep. “Asleep” is the operative word here. If you are watching a program or are engrossed in the computer, it would be easy to miss a child’s cry. Actually, staying off the computer altogether might be the best policy, especially if the homeowner has a dial-up connection for the Internet; parents would be unable to reach you.

Special concerns

¢ If the parents return home and you suspect they may be inebriated, DON’T accept a ride home with them. Call your parents for a ride home. Use a prearranged code word to tip them off to the situation.

¢ If any adult makes you personally uncomfortable, refuse to accept any future sitting jobs. Be sure to let your parents know what is going on.

Basic care

• Safety 101: Take the baby-sitting pop quiz (12-13-05)

¢ Practice good hygiene. Always wash your hands before and after preparing food; before and after eating; before and after changing diapers or helping a child use the toilet; after touching insects, plants or pets; after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose.

¢ If you are baby-sitting an infant, then you will be changing a diaper. If you are not familiar with holding and caring for an infant, be sure to get instructions from the parents beforehand.

¢ Never leave an infant alone on the changing table. Have all of your supplies (diaper, baby wipes, powder, ointment, etc.) on hand before beginning.

Putting children to bed

¢ Avoid having the children in your care drink beverages with caffeine, including chocolate and soda.

¢ Choose calming activities a half hour before the child’s bedtime.

¢ Give fair warning. A child given a 15-minute heads up is usually more accommodating.

¢ Stick to routines. Try to observe regular bedtimes rituals (evening prayers or a story, for example).

¢ Check an infant’s crib for hazards.

¢ Put infants to sleep on their backs, face up.

¢ Check on the infant every half-hour. Make sure you stay where you are able to hear the children if they wake up.

Reporting in

¢ When the parents or guardians return, be prepared to fill them in on how things went.

¢ Be positive. Tell them good things about the kids.

¢ Be honest. If you had problems, speak up.

¢ Be specific. Keep a written list of incoming calls, visitors and the children’s behavior.

Other considerations

¢ Rates for services can vary depending on your age and experience, and the number and ages of the kids that are being cared for. Prices typically begin at $5 an hour and range upward depending on circumstances.

¢ After you return home, evaluate how the job went. What went well? What went wrong? What could you have done differently? Would you want to sit for this family/child agan?

¢ If you haven’t already done so, consider taking a basic first aid and a CPR course at your local Red Cross chapter or hospital. These are frequently offered in conjunction with baby-sitting courses.