What babysitters need to know - the key points

Of course, both parents and children need to like and trust the babysitter. Equally important, however, is that the chosen babysitter - regardless of whether he comes from the relatives, the neighborhood or a babysitter agency - is in the picture about certain points. On the one hand there is important information concerning the child, but on the other hand also about behavior in an emergency.

Only an informed babysitter is a good babysitter!

If you leave your child to a stranger, that is already a big change for the child. It is even more important that the babysitter knows about rituals and peculiarities as well as the rules that apply:

• How long may the child stay up?
• What does the evening or sleep ritual look like?
• Can the child watch TV, if yes, which broadcasts are allowed?
• What does the child like to play, what are the preferences (favorite book, favorite stuffed animal, favorite nightgown, etc.)?
• What happens when the child wakes up? Does it get something to eat or drink, is it taken out or should it be comforted in bed?
• Are there any health peculiarities such as allergies (for example to certain foods) or medicines that the child must take regularly?

What to do in case of cases

Explain exactly what to do if the baby suddenly gets sick or an accident happens. The babysitter needs to know the following:

How are the parents reachable, and who is the contact person if something happens?
Which phone number do the fire brigade, pediatrician, poison emergency and rescue service have?
Where is the medicine cabinet (only if the babysitter really knows, he should be allowed to administer medication independently)?
A piece of paper with the most important telephone numbers should be clearly visible or reachable next to the telephone!

What else is important

Those who often use a babysitter can put together certain things. This compilation may include, but is not limited to:

• The numbers already mentioned above
• Cash, if there are unforeseen expenses
• The insurance card of the child
• Spare key for the apartment
• Check with your babysitter if he answers the phone, gives information about your whereabouts and records your calls.
• Provide dinner for child and babysitter.
• Prepare the utensils needed when your child wakes up at night (for example, to drink something)
• Entertainment for the babysitter when the child is sleeping. What's okay, what can not be used (TV, DVDs, stereo, books)?

Babysitter and other arrangements

There are special babysitting contracts in which everything is specified. It contains, for example, the care periods; the regulations, if a care fails; Transfer conditions, payment; Insurance and taking the child in the car of the babysitter.

If a contract is too bureaucratic, the above points should nevertheless be clarified. Also important is the question of whether the babysitter has a liability insurance, which is also liable for damages that happen during employment for a fee - this should be a condition for the care. If the babysitter agrees, you should transfer the payment to him. Then you can claim the expenses for childcare for tax purposes. Cash payments will not be accepted. Since the paid babysitter is considered "domestic help", accident insurance must be taken out.