When You should Report a Bad Babysitter

Unfortunately, many families fall victim to bad childcare providers. This could be an isolated bad experience, or a more serious problem. Irrespective of the experience, many parents look for ways to report bad childcare providers.

However, the question is whether it would be right to do it? Experts agree it’s in everybody’s best interest to get a bad babysitter reported.

When to report

Although there are no set guidelines, you would do well to report, if you feel your child has suffered badly at the hands of a childcare provider, or is in harm. Here are a few reasons that warrant reporting a bad babysitter:

1. Neglect: It is of course hard to detect negligence. However, if a child is always hungry, upset, or hurt when you return, it is best to investigate further. It is important to listen to the child, and observe their behavior around the sitter. They may refuse to play, eat or act strange.
2. Possible abuse: The child may suffer unexpected bruises too many times, cry seeing the sitter, seem lethargic or act strange. It is very important to observe closely the child, if you find something fishy. When you are convinced of any sign of emotional or physical abuse, it’s important to report the babysitter.
3. Sexual abuse: This is even more serious: if the child complains about certain games, and if you see the babysitter making inappropriate advances in your presence, then there is certainly something wrong. Observe closely for confirmatory signs, and make sure you report immediately sexual abuse.

How you can report

Although there are no set procedures for reporting a bad childcare provider, there are a few options you can avail of.

1. Call the police: Parents who have seen the babysitter causing their children any kind of danger or harm can choose to call the local police. Calling the police is necessary in an emergency situation involving child negligence.
2. Report online: You can choose to report a bad childcare provider online. There are several websites that aim to keep informed of other parents of bad babysitters.

You are asked to fill out an online form, which requires details such as name, eye color, height, hair color, skin color, weight, physical address, time and date of incident, and a detailed description of what had actually happened. 

Additional details of description of the bag, car, and stroller or other marks and objects may be required.

This is certainly not a complete list. However, the two procedures described above are the most popular ones, when it comes to reporting a babysitter. No doubt, it leaves a bad taste in your mouth to take such an unpleasant action.

Well, it’s a situation of a defenseless kid being in danger, and that should settle any qualms that you might have. So, it is indeed a good idea to alert the authorities, and thereby save many other families from such bad experience and harm.