Babysitter References: How to Check Them & Why They Matter

No matter what job you apply for, it is likely that you have to supply references for the potential employer. This also goes for babysitting. As a parent of children, you need a babysitter with credible references who can verify the potential babysitter’s experience. This is why it is so important that you know how and why you need to check potential babysitters’ references.

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Why is it important?

When you are hiring a babysitter, you are inviting someone you may not know into your home to watch your child. The person you are looking to hire is essentially a stranger. During the interviewing and hiring process, it is essential to get as much information as you can about the babysitter. While you are likely interviewing them, they may say things you want to hear or lie about their experience. Checking with references will give you a clear idea of who the babysitter is and how they were with previous jobs. References will give you a perspective other than the babysitter themselves so that you can get an objective look at who the babysitter is.

Ask for childcare-specific references

The potential babysitter may only have one or two other childcare jobs on their resume, but it is still important to check their references from this experience. If you want to know how they are in terms of working with kids, childcare references will be able to provide you with this insight. On your application, when you ask for references, specify that you want at least one childcare reference. This way, you will get the perspective of someone who knew the potential babysitter in the context they will be working for you.

Gather information

When asking for references, make sure you get the right contact information for the reference so that you do not waste time calling a number for a reference that is no longer reachable at that number. If possible, ask for both an email and a phone number just in case one line of communication is out of commission. Also, be sure to check with the candidate to make sure it is okay that you reach out to the reference. Be sure to know what the candidate’s role with the reference was, whether it was a teacher, babysitter, or another role.

Ask the right questions

Whether you are talking to a childcare reference or a non-childcare reference, you need to ask the right questions to get the full perspective on who the person is. For childcare references, ask questions about how long they worked with the reference and how often, how old the kids were, the tasks they performed, and their professionalism. For non-childcare references, you can be a bit more general. Ask how long the person worked for their reference, what traits they like, and the person’s ability to problem solve or handle emergency situations.

Address concerns

As a parent, it is understandable that you have concerns when it comes to who is taking care of your child. In addition to asking questions, bring up any concerns you may have about the candidate or about childcare. The reference will hopefully be able to put your mind at ease if the candidate is a good fit for you and your family. If not, the reference should be honest and say that the candidate was not a good fit in a particular area. This way, you can make an informed decision and have peace of mind, knowing that your babysitter is a good fit across the board and your concerns have been addressed.

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Look for red flags

While you want to hear good things about candidates, you also want to be on the lookout for things that may not be so good. You likely have a list of things you want and do not want in a babysitter and what qualities will make you not hire a particular candidate. Have this list next to you as you talk to references for candidates so you can see how the candidate measures up. If the candidate has red flags that are a “no” for that candidate, move on to the next candidate.

Check the personality

Your child’s safety and well-being are your first priority when it comes to a babysitter. However, you also want a babysitter who will be a great fit in terms of personality. If your child is full of energy and is outgoing, a more introverted and reserved babysitter may not be the best fit, even if the candidate has a great record otherwise. You may get a sense of this when you interview the candidate, but the references will be able to verify this for you. Be sure to ask about the personalities of the reference’s children and see how they compare to your child’s personality.

Checking references is a crucial part of hiring a babysitter, and if done correctly, you can ensure that you find the perfect fit for you and your child.