No matter what your preference, no matter what your budget, there’s something out there that will fit you and your family’s needs when it comes to hiring a babysitter in NYC. But where do you start? Where do you find the perfect fit for yourself and your family?
Here are five things to consider when looking into hiring a babysitter in NYC.
Finding Time to Interview
Trying to find time for an interview with a potential babysitter can be a little tricky, especially if you’re working full-time and looking after your kids. Try scheduling interviews with potential babysitters on Friday or Saturday nights; that way, your sitter will be around when you return from work and pick up both sets of kids. If it seems impossible to schedule an interview at night, consider lunch instead. Some parents also enjoy meeting with prospective sitters while they’re out running errands together. Anywhere but home is ideal, so you won’t have all of your personal belongings visible as you talk through each candidate’s references and experience level. A public place gives you privacy and makes it easier to concentrate on what’s being said—and not being said—in conversation.
Plus, once you choose a sitter who works well with your family, having them over means more time spent socializing than figuring out where everyone should go. Make sure to ask questions about how comfortable she feels watching multiple children at once (the average cost of babysitting services per hour) and whether she has experience dealing with special needs children (some states require certification). Finally, trust your gut: You know your family best! After all, finding a good fit is essential to keeping everyone happy!
What To Ask a Babysitter
If you’re hiring a babysitter for your new born, we’ve got some important questions you should ask. For example, will she be CPR-certified? Also, how much experience does she have with babies? How much do her services cost? And finally, what is her policy on overnight stays? Having answers to these questions will help ensure that your child will always be safe and secure when left with an outside caregiver. After all, it’s not worth taking any chances when it comes to your baby’s safety. Asking these five questions can help you find someone who meets your standards of care so that you can rest easy knowing your baby is in good hands.
What Should I Look for In a Day-Care?
The quality of day-care, it turns out, is incredibly hard to quantify. Even if you ask parents what factors they consider when choosing a child care centre, you get wildly different answers.
- What matters most?
- Safety and security?
- Fun and education?
- Child-to-adult ratio?
It’s not like picking an auto mechanic or even an apartment: You can’t see how clean things are behind closed doors (if they’re even open). There are no specific safety or educational standards that govern day-cares, either; everything is done on a state-by-state basis (or within each county). So ultimately, you have to go by word of mouth—which may or may not be honest. That said, there are some things you should look for in any day-care setting. Here’s our list of must-haves for any babysitter service NYC provider.
Have References? Check Them!
Before you settle on a baby-sitting service, contact them and ask for references. Not only will that give you an idea of what kind of experience other people have had with their service, but it also allows you to personally speak with some of their past clients. You may find that others have had great experiences or horrible ones—either way, you’ll get valuable insight into how your babysitter performs under pressure. And remember: The most expensive option isn’t always best for your family, especially if it just means higher prices without any significant added benefits. Think about what you want out of a babysitter before making your decision. For example, do you want someone who comes over to watch your kids while they play outside? Or do you need someone who can help them study for upcoming tests? Think about all these things before deciding which type of sitter is right for your family.
How Old Are the Children They Take Care Of?
The age of children that are watched should be taken into consideration as well. If you need someone that can take care of a new born, then you will want to find an experienced sitter who has worked with babies before. However, if you have older children, and just need someone for an hour or two so that you can run errands, then it probably wouldn’t matter so much how old your sitter’s children are. You might even find someone without kids at all! Just make sure they know what they’re doing before letting them look after your kids.
What Will They Do While Watching Your Kids?
Some babysitters only watch your children while you’re gone, but others will also do things like cook meals, do laundry, clean up around the house, and more. Make sure that whoever you hire is willing to help out with some chores around your home too. This way when you get back from work, there won’t be any cleaning up for you to do – just time spent relaxing with your family!
