Babybestfriend helps you to ask the right questions to an applicant caregiver :

ABOUT THE JOB:

- What is it that you like in children ?

-Why do you want the job?

- How much would you like to be paid ?

- Are you flexible with the schedule?

- When can you start ?

- Do you have any vacations planned in the next six months?

ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE AS A CAREGIVER:

- How many years have you been working with children?

- How many families have you cared for and how old were the children?

-  Why are you not working with that / those families anymore ?

-  Do you have experience in bathing children?

- What do you give as a snack ?

- Tell me what is the schedule of a kid of ...  years old (say your child’s age)

ABOUT THE RESPONSABILITIES AND TASKS OF THE CAREGIVER :

- How do you feel about playmates for my kids? Can you handle more than one kid of the same age? What would you do if they fight ?

- What do you think about TV or computers ?

- Do you know any children’s games ?

- Can you assist with homework ?

- Do you cook ?

- Can you make light housework?

- Are you willing to help with overnight care if needed?

- Can you come on vacations with us?

ABOUT SAFETY ISSUES AND HANDLING EMERGENCIES :

- Can you tell if a room is childproofed?

- (display three objects on the table) From these three objects, can you tell me which one is a choking hazard ?

- How would you reach me in case of emergency ?

- What do you do and say if a kid is bleeding and scared ?

- What do you do if a kid falls from a significant height and doesn’t cry ?

- Did you follow a standard First Aid course?

- Are you certified for CPR ?

- What number would you call if there is an emergency? a fire ? If you need an ambulance ?

ABOUT BEHAVIOUR AND DISCIPLINE :

- What is your proudest moment in babysitting and why?

- What is the worst experience you had with kids? How did you handle it ?

- What would you do with the kids on a rainy day?

- What would you do when a child refuses to sleep?

- What is your disciplinary method ?

- Would you spank a kid, if he ”deserves” it ?

ABOUT NEWBORNS:

- Did you ever babysit newborns before ?

- Show me / describe me how you hold a newborn in your arms.

- Can you change a diaper?

- How many times a day does a baby need a diaper change ?

- How many times a day does a baby need to eat ?

- What are the three main things newborns cry for ? (hunger - diaper change - hot or cold)

ABOUT DRIVING:

- Are you comfortable driving children in the car?

- May I see your driver’s license?

- How many years have you been driving?

- In which country did you have your driver’s licence exam ?

- Can you install a baby car seat ?

-  Can you buckle a child in his car seat ?

-  Would you let a child in the car while doing small errands ?