When looking for a babysitter, one of the most important components in your decision about whether to hire a particular candidate will be the interview. The interview is your opportunity to tell the candidate what you expect of them, and to get a feel for whether they can handle the job. It also gives you an opportunity to see how the candidate will interact with your children. Some questions to ask during an interview can include:

- Why do you want to work with children?

- Do you have any formal childcare training?

- What experience do you have working with children?

- Have you cared for more than one child at a time?

- How old have the other children you’ve cared for been?

- How long have you cared for children?

- What kinds of things do you like to do with the children?

- What would an average day be like if you were taking care of my child(ren)?

- How do you handle challenging situations?

- Describe an emergency situation and how you responded to it.

- (if appropriate) How would you handle a crying baby?

- (if appropriate) What is your toilet training philosophy?

- What kinds of educational activities would you do with my children?

- What is your approach to discipline?

- Do you like to read with children?

- What is your favorite children’s book?

- What do you think are your greatest strengths?

- What do you think are your greatest weaknesses?

- Describe your greatest success in childcare.

- Describe a situation in childcare where you could have done better?

- Do you feel you can meet the requirements of the job?

- Do you have First Aid and/or CPR training?

- Do you smoke?

- May I contact your references?

- When can you start working?

- What is your daily availability?

- How will you get to our home?

You may also wish to begin discussing things like pay, vacation and sick time, and other sorts of administrative issues at this stage.

Posted in Child Care Issues

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