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What makes an ideal child care provider (babysitter)? |
These are tips I have learned as a babysitter, child care provider & teacher for a total of 17 years. They are not copied from another web site or found in any book (yet!). They aren't biblical, they are just what I have learned and try to remind myself of daily. I hope you read them and learn a little bit more about how to continue to be a great child care provider.
If you think you are this type of child care provider, you would make a great referral. To sign up to be listed on this web site, click here.
Got a question? Need advice?
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Setting Healthy Boundaries |
As a child care provider in a home, you need to set healthy boundaries with the family and the children as soon as possible. Every family deserves a sitter that can learn how to become "part of the family" while at the same time gaining the respect of the children and the parents. You are still an "employee" and should not be making yourself at home, talking on the cell phone or having friends over at any point in your relationship with the family. Each child has an individual personality and behaviour. Some children are more challenging than others because of developmental reasons or personality reasons. There are some great books on learning how to set these "healthy boundaries" and some great web sites resourses as well! Knowledge is power and parents in general seem open to someone's outside perspective, especially if it comes from an informed person who presents their information with documentation :0)
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Being Responsible and Coming Prepared |
Always call the day before to confirm & show up with something to engage the children. Calling to confirm is just going to make you look more professional and coming prepared with a special game or project is going to ease the parents minds, and enlighten the children to what type of sitter you are going to be. Children can be very stand-offish with new sitters, so bring something fun to do and it will make your day go better.
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Respecting the Parents Guidlines & Rules |
Stick to the guidlines the parents set forth for you. If they plan to walk out the door with little instructions, ask them about bed times, meal planning, emergency numbers, baths etc. Are you supposed to answer the phone or the door? Also, take note of important occurances while they are gone. This also helps for late nite sitting when you are woken up by the parents at 2am, only to be bombarded with "How did things go?" when you are half asleep. You can politely say, "I am very tired, but here is a detailed account of the evenings events. Call me in the morning if you have any questions."
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Have Training & Experience |
Getting CPR & First Aid certified is a must and is very affordable and can now be done online or through your local YMCA or RED CROSS. You should have a minimum of experience and references verifying your reliability and competence when it comes to caring for children. Quality child care is hard to find, so be articulate when presenting your experience & qualifications to a prospective family.
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Be Firm & Fair With Your Rates |
Figure out what to charge before you call a family back or book a date. Nothing sounds more unprofessional than someone wishy-washy about things. Here is my suggested rate chart for sitters ages 12-30 with varying levels of expertise. These rates are based on one child in So. California, and other states may be more or less. This is what I personally have found acceptable to charge parents. The lower $ amount is for sitters with 0-3 years experience with children. The higher $ amount is for sitters with 4+ years of experience with children.. Keep in mind, I pay taxes on my income.
age 12-14: charge $6-8
age 15-17: charge $7-9
age 18-21: charge $10-12
age 22-24: charge $10-14
age 24-30: charge $10-15
Charging $1.00-2.00 each additional child is fair, and $3.00 for each additional child from another family (when two families combine).
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Remember That Babysitting is Serious Business |
The family is putting their trust in you! When children are in bed, that is your down time to watch TV at low volume, read magazines, but you should still check on the children every half hour to make sure they have gone to sleep. When the evening is over, provide your client with a receipt that has your contact info so they can call you again when they need to! VistaPrint.com has a fabulous deal on business cards for first time buyers! All you pay is shipping on your first order, and you get 250 cards.
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Keep Web Sites With Useful Information Handy; Keep a Notebook |
Keep a notebook of useful information to take with you on your jobs. Have dividers for "craft ideas, coloring sheets, games, important emergency information, client info etc" Here are some great web sites to get you started!
Tips/Ideas for 15 & younger.
Tips/Ideas to entertain all ages.
Tips Gallore to help babysitters.
Babysitting Easy Crafts!
Online Babysitters Certificate Class
RED CROSS: Babysitter's handbook and useful information/printable forms.
TrustLine: California's Background Check for In-home Care.
All kinds of printable things to color and educate with!
Art Ed for Kinders (craft/drawing projects).
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Got a question? |
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