A Household Checklist for Your Babysitter

Every babysitter, even the most experienced, needs some help to be prepared for unforeseen events. A checklist is a simple and effective way for parents like you to provide critical information to babysitters. This checklist can include emergency phone numbers, critical instructions, and schedules for the childcare provider while you’re away. Read further for a few more useful ideas.

1. Safety and health instructions

Health instructions can comprise: medical supplies and their location; medicines and full instructions; child’s medical conditions; allergies and the location of first-aid kits. Such details will surely save you a lot of health stress.

General safety instructions can include: information regarding home alarm system; window and door locks and keys; location of batteries, flashlights, and candles. This list helps the babysitter provide the best care for the child, without having to look around for supplies during an emergency.With those instructions you can get rid of your safety stress.

2. Contact information

Some of the common things to be included under contact information are work phone, home phone, cell phone, and phone number of the place where you will be available (friend’s house, hotel, spa, restaurant, and the like). This would save the childcare provider worries about unexpected developments and the course of action to be taken.

3. Emergency contacts

This section must include the phone numbers of the local fire house, police, hospitals, doctors, and poison control. It is a good idea to have on the list numbers of a few trustworthy relatives or neighbors. Also, include detailed directions to your house, so that the childcare provider can give them to the 911 operator in an emergency situation.

4. Escape route

You should indicate a planned escape route for the childcare providerto take in case of burglary, fire, or other emergency. Provide in the checklist a detailed map that comprises locations of all house exits, first-aid kits, fire extinguishers, water shutoff and circuit breakers. Most certainly, this map would ensure the safety of your child and of the childcare provider herself.

5. House Rules

If your family has any traditional or house rules to be strictly followed, put them on the list. Common house rules include show restrictions, TV time, visitors, homework time, phone calls, swear jars and computer time.

6. Expectations

Make sure you provide a list of any expectations you may have from your childcare provider. This can include doing dishes, making dinner, bedtime stories, bathing, homework and laundry. Providing a comprehensive list of expectations gives the childcare provider a clear outline of what her duties are while you’re away.

Apart from these items, the babysitter checklist, for best care, must include a range of other items such as the nicknames, full names, birthdays and ages of your children. Also, include any comfort objects, fears, normal schedule and favorite toys. 

By creating a proper checklist, you can rest assured that the childcare provider is aware of the rules, procedures, and emergency information and that your little ones are safe in her hands.