Planning a night out or a fun day without the kids? Make sure your babysitter is ready for more than just snacks and bedtime stories. Prepare them with the right information to handle any situation—whether it’s a scraped knee, a tantrum, or a power outage. When they’re prepared, you can truly relax.
Having a clear, written plan for your babysitter is essential for peace of mind. In unfamiliar or stressful situations, even the most experienced sitter might forget key details. A written guide provides them with easy access to the important information they need to stay calm and handle things efficiently.
Family Information
Your sitter may know you well or may be meeting you for the first time. Either way, it’s good to provide the basics in case they need to reference the information, whether it’s for a pizza delivery or a 9-1-1 call.
- Home address (and nearby cross streets or landmarks if needed)
- Full names and ages of each child
- Home phone landline (if there is one)
- Your cell phone number
- Name and number of a neighbor, close friend or relative as a backup
Pro Tip: Get your sitter to program your cell phone number into their phone before you leave.
Emergency Contacts
Emergencies happen, and when help is needed right away, your sitter may have to call 9-1-1. Share examples of when they should do so, such as when someone is injured beyond the first aid they can provide, or if a child has been exposed to a potentially toxic substance. If there’s a fire in the house, they still need to call, but they should leave the home first with your child(ren) and call from outside.
- Poison Control Center (800) 222-1222 (open 24/7)
- Pediatrician’s phone number (which will connect to after-hours care)
- 9-1-1 (police and fire)
In case of fire, share these instructions with the sitter:
- Do not try to put the fire out yourself.
- Bring the children out of the house. Do not go back in for any reason, even to rescue pets.
- Call 9-1-1. Stay on the line until the operator says it is okay to hang up.
- Call the parents after you have called 9-1-1.
- Wait at a safe distance with the children.
In case of severe weather, use this as your basis for instructions to the sitter:
- In a hurricane, tornado or high-wind storm, stay inside your home. Choose a small, interior room without windows, such as a bathroom or closet, on the first level.
- Share the location of flashlights, extra batteries, candles and matches in case the power goes out. (They can also use the flashlight on their phone.)
- Call the parents to let them know. Conserve your phone’s battery so you can stay in communication.
Medical Information
Whether it’s allergies, medications, or any existing health conditions, providing this information ensures the sitter is prepared to act quickly and appropriately.
- Food and medication allergies (if any) listed for each child
- Where medicine is stored, instructions on how and when to administer (and whether they need your permission to receive)
- Location of the first aid kit, band-aids and other medical supplies
- A healthcare authorization form in case you can’t be reached in an emergency and your child needs medical care (You can find these forms online.)
Schedule & Routines
Think through a typical day and write down the routines for your children. Use that as a basis for the schedule you will provide for your sitter.
- Include approximate times, as it may take longer than usual when a person other than you is directing.
- Chores or homework for which the kids are responsible
- Essential supplies (e.g. a lovey and sound machine for bedtime)
- Include options for discipline (e.g. loss of screen time) and rewards (e.g. an extra story) to help encourage children to follow the routine.
Snacks & Meals
Whether or not your sitter will be feeding your child, they will likely have to negotiate requests for snacks.
- Establish the rules on snacks and sweets, and when children can have them.
- Make sure your sitter knows what is safe for a baby or toddler to eat. Don’t give a child under age 4 whole grapes, whole hot dogs, hard candy, popcorn, or other choking hazards.
- Plan to feed your sitter if they are there during mealtime and let them know the options.
Safety Rules
Safety isn’t always commonsense. Make sure your sitter is aware of the following rules.
- Never leave child unattended in a bathtub or on a high surface like a changing table.
- Keep children away from windows.
- Don’t let little ones play near stairs.
- Don’t allow children to play with household appliances or dangerous objects, including plastic bags which can present a suffocation hazard.
- Never leave children alone with a dog, even the family dog. Bites can happen quickly and unexpectedly even with a pup that hasn’t bitten before.
- Never leave the children alone in the house.
- Avoid swimming pools and trampolines when the parent is not around.
House Rules
You will want to share your rules about what is allowed, from screen time to what the sitter is allowed to do when the kids are asleep. Here are some rules to consider.
- How much screentime children are allowed
- Whether the sitter is allowed to post photos of your kids on social media
- What is off-limits in terms of television shows (even when kids are asleep), technology, food and drinks
- Your policy on visitors (e.g. no friends, don’t open the door unless the parent has let you know that a visitor is expected)
- No sleeping on the job
When Your Babysitter Arrives
- Ask your sitter to arrive 15-30 minutes before you plan to head out to allow ample time for instructions. It’s worth the additional peace of mind to pay her for this extra time.
- Give your babysitter a tour of the house if she or he hasn’t been there before. Point out any areas that are off-limits to the sitter and/or the kids. Show him or her two ways out of each room in case of a fire.
- If you have Nanny cams, point them out.
- Go over the written instructions and leave them posted in a visible, easily accessible place, such as stuck to the fridge with a magnet.
- Give your sitter a chance to ask questions.
- Confirm your expected arrival back at the home and let them know how you will update them if you are running late.
- Enjoy your day or night out with the peace of mind that you’ve taken the steps to keep everyone safe.
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
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