Guide to Locating, Hiring and Keeping Informal Child Care Providers
Hiring a provider to care for your child can be an overwhelming and at times, frustrating process. It is highly recommended that you begin searching for care arrangements well in advance, ideally as soon as you know you will be needing the care.
Finding a quality provider that will be responsible for your child(ren) takes time and effort. It is a good idea to personally interview several potential sitters, either in your own home or theirs. If you interview in his/her home, it gives you additional insight. If you are considering hiring someone under the age of 18, make sure that they have their parents permission to be providing care. References are important and you should get at least two, if possible. Be sure to follow up with the references directly. Once you find a sitter that you and your child(ren) like, it is important that your provider feels happy with their work and that they are paid appropriately for the requested tasks.
How do I find a sitter for my child?
There are a variety ways for you to find a qualified sitter:
· Recruit from relatives, friends, neighbors and colleagues who you know and trust
· Use the Cornell University Family Helper List
· If it will be a consistent, regular position, consider posting the position on the Cornell student employment site
· Contact the American Red Cross for a list of babysitter training graduates: 273-1900
· For child care centers, and regulated home care providers, contact the Day Care and Child Development Council of Ithaca: 273-0259
· Contact Eileen McCoy Whang, Dependent Care Consultant in the Office of Workforce Diversity and Inclusion, at Cornell University: emw76@cornell.edu, 255-1917
· Join online Babysitter Locater websites, such as sittercity.com, babysitters4hire.com, and care.com (these website services are not endorsed by Cornell University)
What questions should I ask of the references?
· Did your child(ren) feel safe and attended to in their care?
· How did the sitter relate to your child?
· Was the sitter responsible?
· Was the sitter reliable and punctual?
· Did the sitter follow house rules?
· How highly would you recommend the sitter's services?
· Would you hire the sitter again?
· What did you pay the sitter?
· What were the sitters responsibilities?
If you would like to perform background checks on any perspective sitters, you must, under federal law, obtain written permission from the prospective provider before running these checks. You can run checks to obtain information on the sitter's driving record, possible criminal record, lawsuits and bankruptcies. There are many background check companies offering their services over the internet.
Interviewing a Sitter
Interviewing a potential sitter beforehand is recommended. A parent's
intuition is a good indicator that should not be overlooked. After the
interview, if possible, schedule a "practice run" where the
sitter comes to your home for a short time while you are there. This will
help you see how they relate to your child(ren) and how the child(ren)
react to the sitter. The next step may be for you to leave the house for
a quick errand not too far away. Once you feel comfortable with the provider,
it will become easier to leave your child(ren) with the sitter for a longer
period of time.
What questions should I ask the potential sitter?
A good interview should cover the person's experience and childcare skills,
including any special training the person may have. Make sure to ask open-ended
questions that will lead to a conversation so that you can get to know
the sitter better.
Potential Questions:
· What are the ages of children have you provided care for before
and in what circumstance?
· Have you completed any babysitter training, first aid, or CPR courses?
· What kind of experience have you had with children that have special needs?
· What do you do in your spare time? What activities are you involved in?
· What do you like best about babysitting?
· What kinds of activities do you enjoy doing with children?
· What would you do in case of an emergency?
· What is the most difficult situation you encountered while babysitting? How did you handle it? Present some "what if" scenarios to determine how the sitter would handle them.
· How do you handle discipline?
· How much do you charge and what hours are you available?
· Do you have any children of your own? How old are they?
· What is your citizen status?
· What are your expectations of me as a parent?
· Do you have any questions for me?
Preparing your sitter
Sitters are often entering an unfamiliar environment, which can be overwhelming
and intimidating. Consider ways that you can help the sitter feel more
comfortable and safe. Consider keeping a few special snacks around. Remind
your child/ren that the house rules are in effect even when you are not
at home and that they are to listen to the sitter in your absence. If
possible, have your child(ren) already fed and dressed in their pajamas.
Ask the sitter to arrive at 30-45 minutes early the first time so that
you can orient them to your child/ren, your home and your expectations.
Future leave taking will take much less time, but allow at least 15 minutes
to go over last minute specific instructions and also give your child/ren
a chance to adjust to your leaving and warm up to the babysitter.
Other information to help orient your sitter:
· Take a tour of your home and point out the location of telephones,
first aid equipment and exits. Helpful forms are available online that
you can print out for emergency contact information, medical/insurance
information and parental authorization for emergency medical treatment.
· Explain any alarm systems and how they work. Give the sitter code words in case of an accidental alarm.
· Discuss the emergency escape plan.
· Give the sitter a list of emergency telephone numbers: yours, friends or neighbors, emergency services.
· Let them know how to contact you: write down where you will be and your cell phone number. Make sure they know how to dial a pager if applicable.
· Review guidelines and rules regarding feeding, naptime, bedtime, computer and television time.
· For babies, discuss the baby's pacifier, blanket or comfort toy, when/how you want your baby picked up, fed, and diapered.
· Explain possible behavior problems and how you would want them handled.
· Alert the sitter to any food allergies your child/ren may have.
· Remind the sitter to keep all doors locked and to never open the door for anyone unless you have given permission.
· Point out the hiding place of an extra key in case they get locked out of the house.
· Information should not be given to callers. Sitters should tell a caller that you are unavailable or just let the answering machine pick up.
· Friends of the sitter should not be invited to your home.
· Let the sitter know whom your children may play with or visit.
· Leave a list of activities that your children would like and where the items can be found.
· Introduce the sitter to neighbors and friends that can keep an eye on things while you are away.
· Discuss if the sitter can make phone calls, which foods are available to eat and if they have access to the car.
· Be clear that smoking and alcohol are not permitted at any time.
· Explain how the major appliances work.
· Explain what medications should be given, how, and where they are kept.
· Allow time for the sitter to ask you questions.
Returning Home
Model good behavior for your sitter and children: be home on time! This
shows respect for the sitter's time and can be assuring to your child(ren)
if they are able to tell time. If you are going to be late, it is crucial
to call and inform the sitter.
Ask the sitter how things went, especially bedtime, meals or any other disciplinary problems.
If you know that you are going to be drinking while you are out, discuss transportation with your sitter beforehand. This way they can make arrangements ahead of time and not make the return home uncomfortable or embarrassing for anyone.
How much should I pay the sitter?
Discuss payment before you officially hire the sitter. You can ask references
how much they have paid the sitter in the past and/or ask around your
neighborhood or friends as to what they pay. You may tell the sitter how
much you are willing to pay and ask how much they usually charge. You
should ask the sitter if they prefer cash or a check.
Babysitting rates are based on a number of different factors including the number and ages of your child(ren), where you live, how much responsibility you are expecting of the sitter and how old and/or experienced the sitter is. Younger sitters generally can be paid less than older, more experienced sitters. You may consider paying sitters with special qualifications a bit more than those that do not. Adjust your rate of pay if you are asking the sitter to watch a quiet, mild mannered, older child who can entertain him/herself or if you are asking them to watch more than one child and to transport, feed, bathe, and put them all to bed. Also keep in mind your child(ren)s temperament and personality. A more difficult child should command a higher rate of pay. If the sitter is driving to your home and it is a longer distance, you may add a couple of dollars more for gas.
Long hours, late nights and special dates usually command higher fees. Generally, the going rate for sitters is anywhere from $5.00-$15.00/hr. based on the above criteria, however the duration of the hired time may affect this (hourly rate for 2 hrs. vs. 8 hrs. of care may differ).
If you are pleased with your sitter and hire them regularly, then you should certainly consider paying them well and slightly higher than the going rate. This will keep the sitter happy and willing to continue providing care. They are likely to be more reliable as well with a higher rate of pay.
Special note for Child Care Grant Recipients: If you are a recipient of the Cornell Child Care Grant, or plan to apply for the Cornell Child Care Grant, it is important to understand that while applicants are eligible for funding for informal care arrangements, the child care provider/babysitter/nanny is required to report the income to the IRS. Please consult your accountant or tax preparer for information on how to arrange this.
Tax Implications / IRS: Regardless of whether you have received the Cornell Child Care Grant, if you have hired a regular care provider in your home, you may be required to pay employment, social security, and Medicare Taxes. Visit http://www.irs.gov/publications/p926/ar02.html for more information or contact your accountant/tax preparer for information.
Other Tools
American
Red Cross Babysitter Information and Tools