Job Interview Questions for Babysitters

It has never been an easy task for parents to decide whether to take a babysitter for their children or not. Leaving the children with a teenager, even one whom they trust and has the basic skills of childcare, is challenging.

The young adult should be responsible and experienced enough to perform the basic tasks, such as:

• Bedtime routine
• Providing a meal
• Safety actions
• Entertaining the children

The babysitter should have good communication with children and know how to handle delicate situations, as his/her working hours are usually a few intensive hours during the evening when the children are on their way to bed.

This article suggests the basic questions to ask when interviewing a babysitter.

Questions to ask a Potential Babysitter

1. General Questions on Experience and Background

1. Why do you want to work as a babysitter?
2. What is your childcare experience with babysitting and with children?
3. How many families have you worked for? How many years of experience do you have?
4. How long have you worked by a single family?
5. What are the ages of children you’ve worked with?
6. Have you worked with infants? (If relevant.)
7. Where do you live? How old are you? Your phone number, ID, and security number.
8. Do you have references? Can we contact your references – the families you’ve worked for?
9. What is your hourly rate?
10. What is your availability – time schedule and work hours?

2. Questions on Safety

1. Did you learn basic first aid and CPR?
2. Are you familiar with emergency situations?
3. Have you ever had to handle an emergency? In emergency situations such as accidents or illnesses, what is your standard procedure in handling the situation?
4. What is the first action you take having a situation in which the child …?
5. How do you communicate information to the parents about different issues such as emergencies, behavioral issues, etc.?

3. Behavioral Questions

1. Describe a typical evening with a child. What are the activities you do with a child of such-and-such an age?
2. What do you like the most about working with children?
3. How would you describe your approach to discipline, child caring, and nutrition?
4. How would you handle a situation in which the child refuses to go to sleep, hits or hurts others, lies, cries, shouts, etc.?
5. Tell us of the most stressful situation you faced during babysitting.

4. Infant Caring

You may ask questions concerning changing diapers, carrying an infant, preparing formula and feeding, relaxing a baby, etc.

You may also be interested in reading the “nanny interview questions” article.