Interviewing babysitters ... what to ask/look for?

[DMickey28]

I am beginning the process of interviewing babysitters for my two boys. We are just looking for someone a few hours a week so that I get a break along with the occassional (couple times a month) night out for DH and I.

I posted an ad on my local craigslist along with at our high school. Most of the responses are from either older women or college students, which will make it more difficult when the summer ends but I can cross that bridge then.

I have NEVER looked for babysitters before. What kind of questions should I be asking? I plan on doing email/phone interviews with these questions first and then having them come for a personal interview/meet the kids and interact with them after.

Like I said, not looking for a lot of hours ... probably a total of 9 hours a week or so. A few hours either in the mornings or afternoon one day for me to get out, two hours or so one night a week for a dog training class (in case my DH is traveling that night) and then one or two other nights during the month for DH and I to go out.

I know it's regional but what would you expect to pay a freshman/sophmore in college for two boys, one 3 years and one 3 months.

 

[happygirl]

I am beginning the process of interviewing babysitters for my two boys. We are just looking for someone a few hours a week so that I get a break along with the occassional (couple times a month) night out for DH and I.

I posted an ad on my local craigslist along with at our high school. Most of the responses are from either older women or college students, which will make it more difficult when the summer ends but I can cross that bridge then.

I have NEVER looked for babysitters before. What kind of questions should I be asking? I plan on doing email/phone interviews with these questions first and then having them come for a personal interview/meet the kids and interact with them after.

Like I said, not looking for a lot of hours ... probably a total of 9 hours a week or so. A few hours either in the mornings or afternoon one day for me to get out, two hours or so one night a week for a dog training class (in case my DH is traveling that night) and then one or two other nights during the month for DH and I to go out.

I know it's regional but what would you expect to pay a freshman/sophmore in college for two boys, one 3 years and one 3 months.

references
CPR/first aid certified
Do they smoke
Do they have any experience with small kids
Is there scheulde pretty fexible

For the age of your kids I would pay 20.00 an hour.

 

[mjkacmom]

You might have a hard time finding a college student to work those hours - most need to get full time jobs over the summer. When my twins were born, I found a sitter through word of mouth (she was a 19 year old from Mexico - best sitter ever, although she didn't speak much english). I had her for 8 hours a week, and she worked for a friend of mine for the rest (sitter/cleaner). Put the word out, and ask around.

 

[DMickey28]

You might have a hard time finding a college student to work those hours - most need to get full time jobs over the summer. When my twins were born, I found a sitter through word of mouth (she was a 19 year old from Mexico - best sitter ever, although she didn't speak much english). I had her for 8 hours a week, and she worked for a friend of mine for the rest (sitter/cleaner). Put the word out, and ask around.

I don't care if it's a college student or high school or what ... it's just that most of the people responding are college students and I have clarified with a few that I am looking for only a few hours a week.

Thanks.

 

[tar heel]

Here, you wouldn't pay over $10 per hour.

Ask about experience and check references. Ask them what they would do with the child while you were gone. Watch their interactions with the children.

I hired the best sitter we ever had when she was a college sophomore, and it was her interaction with him during the interview that made us know we wanted her.

 

[stsomewhere]

Try local boy scout troops.

My DS is starting to watch my nephew(4yr) and niece (3yr)

My son is trained in CPR/ First aid merit badge
Emergency Prepared merit badge (MB)
Fire Safety MB
Cooking MB

He is assistant senior patrol leader. He enjoys helping out the younger boys by teaching them new skills.

My BIL thinks my son sitting for his is great. He grew up with 3 brothers and would of loved to have a male sitter.

ETA
I would ask them different scenarios in different situations. choking, fire, fall, stranger at door saying they are grandparent, storm knocks out power, etc.
How will you entertain children? Do they smoke?
See how they interact with your children, references, etc.
Good Luck

 

[disfan07]

This is my POV as a college babysitter:

First, the questions that I get asked differ from family to family and also depends on teh age of the kids.
The 5 most recent families I have sat for are:
1) twin boys age 3 1/2 -- their mom didn't ask any questions at all-- she plays majhong with my mom so there was really nothing to ask
2) 2 boys (4 and 13) -- their mom only asked about what I charged
3) 1 girl (8) -- her mom just asked how long I had been babysitting and how much I charged
4) 3 girls (4, 7, and 9) -- same questions-- how long, what I charged, past experience
5) 3 boys (infant, 7 and 9) 1 girl (3) -- knew me from synagogue -- didn't ask any questions really

So basically, the questions I have been asked are in regards to experience, availability and pay. I have never been asked for references.

Pay depends on where you live. I live in Santa Clarita (a suburb of Los Angeles) and my rates this year were:

1 or 2 kids -- $12/hour
3 kids -- $15/hour
4 kids -- $18/hour

when I go off to Irvine in the fall, my rates will be:

1 kid- $12/hour
2 kids -- $14/hour
3 kids -- $16 hour
4 kids -- $18/hour

I am cheap for this area but I know that with my expereince and cheap rates, I will actually make more money because I will be used more. My expereince/qualifications are:

20 years old
9 years babysitting experience (infant-13 years old)
5 years preschool camp expereince (ages 2-5)
1 year preschool daycare (6 wks - 5 years)
Infant/child CPR and first aid

 

[aprilgail2]

I never hired a babysitter that I hadn't known personally so can't help you there but for my one child I paid 10.00 an hour to a high school kid.

 

[PatsGirl]

I'd say $10/hour in my area because of their ages. And, if it is short hours, no one wants to break up their day for less than $20 or more I wouldn't think. If the sitter drives there herself and is expected to do anything more than "sit" the kids, the price would go up. Say both were napping and you asked that she do light housekeeping for the hour plus two hours of babysitting, I'd think $40 or so.

 

[java]

I too would search out locals. There are probably babysitters in your area. My 12 year old babysits in our neighborhood. One of her "jobs" has a 4 year old and a 7 month old. They pay her $10 an hour with a little extra thrown in every now and then because they want her to come back.

When I was in college-(over 20 years ago) I was paid $10 a hour to watch 2 young children. When they wanted me to go with them for Spring Break and just get the "vacation to Florida" as my pay- I quit.

Best of luck. And some ?'s

What is your discipline style? (want to make sure they don't think a smack across the face is appropriate)
references
Do you have younger siblings?
Are you CPR certified?
Have you ever taken a babysitter class?
My daughter walks in asking questions like "Are there any allergies?" "Are they allowed to play video games?" "Can we go outside?"
So they should also be asking YOU questions so you know that they want to do the best job for you.