by Bobby Coles

Created on: June 21, 2009   Last Updated: January 12, 2011

When hiring a babysitter, which is the most important job in the eyes of a parent, the potential employee should be the most qualified. Much akin to scouring a resume for certain strengths and experiences, a parent needs to ensure that the babysitter they hire is able to perform all of the necessary duties associated with the job.

Babysitters should be qualified in many capacities. They should be adept at handling any form of adversity, such as administering first aid if needed.

They should have taken a babysitting course, be friendly and reliable, and have some experience taking care of children. These qualities are paramount for a potential babysitter.

In order to assuage the fears of the parent, a potential babysitter should be someone that you trust wholeheartedly with the charge of your most prized possessions. You should have a new babysitter meet with your children at your home before hand, to ensure that your children are comfortable with the person of your choice.

Making certain that they can interact well will go a long way to easing your anxiety.

As a parent, leaving your child for an extended period of time is a notion that frightens. Leaving your child with one of your parents is far less stressful, but leaving them with a babysitter is terrifying. A babysitter is unfamiliar with your child, to an extent, and therefore panic and worry sets in with the parents. The best defense is a strong offense, so make sure that your babysitter is well qualified.

A potential babysitter should have many outstanding qualities, and should be someone that you are acquainted with already. A babysitter should have the following qualities;

1) Training. There are babysitting training courses run throughout most communities. Be sure that they have taken these courses, and that they have excelled in them, not merely attended. Speak with the instructors to find out more information.

2) First-Aid qualifications. A well-qualified babysitter should have their certification in first aid. In case of any type of emergency, you need to be certain that your babysitter has a foundation of knowledge about how to save a life. Not only should they be able to detect a problem, but they should be able to diagnose a hazardous situation and keep it controlled until the proper assistance arrives.

3) Reliability. A potential babysitter should be one that is reliable and honest. If they promise to babysit for you, then they show up for their assignment every time. Obviously exceptions occur, but they should be few and far between.

4) Friendly. A well-qualified babysitter should be friendly. If you are leaving your children in the care of a babysitter for any length of time, they should at least be in good hands. A friendly babysitter should be able to keep your children happy and engaged while you are out.

5) Smart, and street wise. Not only should a babysitter be academically smart, but they should be street wise as well. If your babysitter takes your children out, perhaps to a park, then s/he should be smart enough to notice danger lurking. A qualified babysitter will know which situations to steer clear of, and where to attain assistance if needed.

6) References. A qualified babysitter should have a list of satisfied and loyal employers that will vouch on their behalf. Consult also with their parents and teachers. Make sure that your babysitter comes highly recommended.

Babysitters should have these qualities, and so many more. You are trusting your most prized possessions with a babysitter, and you should be able to rest assure that they are safe, happy, and having a good time.

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