Having a mature and dependable babysitter is a valuable asset to any family. As a parent, it is your job to find the best caregiver for your toddler. So how do you begin finding a babysitter? Start by asking these questions.

Ask The Babysitter About Her:

Experience

The first question you should ask a potential babysitter is how long she has been caring for children. This is an imperative indicator of the babysitter’s knowledge and her comfort level with children. Ask about her past experience, what her responsibilities were and the types of activities she has done with other children she has cared for so you can get a better sense of her qualifications and how attuned her ideas are with the interests of your toddler. If you have a toddler who needs special care, find out exactly how much experience the sitter has with a child like yours.

Background and Personality

It is equally important that you know your babysitter’s background. Ask her to describe her temperament, her weaknesses and strengths, her family, where she grew up, how many siblings she has, if she is married or has children of her own, her lifestyle, which school she attended and the kind of upbringing she experienced. Also, ask the babysitter why she chose to pursue this career, the best thing about babysitting and the least thing she likes about her job. With the help of these questions, you can somehow gauge how dedicated and fond of children a potential babysitter is based on her answers.

Skills

You need to ensure your babysitter is capable of dealing with any emergencies that may come up. Find out if she knows CPR, if she has undergone first-aid training and is she has taken any babysitting courses. Ask her questions about basic child care – what will you do if my toddler cries? If he refuses to do his homework? If he throws a tantrum? What would you feed my toddler? What activities do you have planned for my toddler?

Child Care Philosophies

Since your babysitter will be in charge when you are not in your home, you have to make sure that she will behave in an appropriate manner with your toddler. Ask about her child care style. Talk about your own child care philosophies (e.g. your way of disciplining your little one). Both you and the potential babysitter should have the same philosophies or at least, she should be willing to adjust and follow your own child care style. Otherwise, you will only confuse your toddler and invite unpleasant situations.

References

References can help you make the decision to hire a certain babysitter or not. Ask for references and make sure you verify them one by one. Contact the babysitter’s previous employers. Find out how long she has worked for them, the type of care provided and if they had any problems with her care or her dependability. You can learn just as much, if not more, from other families as you can from the babysitter herself.

Fees and Schedule

Last, but definitely not the least, question the babysitter about her rate and schedule. Find out what her rates are, when she expects to be paid, her mode of transportation and about days off and leaves. Ask what day and hours she is available and if she can extend her hours during an emergency (e.g. when you need to overtime, visit a sick relative, etc.).

These are just some basic questions frequently asked from babysitters. Do not hesitate to raise more questions and most importantly, listen to the answers carefully to make sure you are choosing the right person for the job.

A babysitters is a good childcare provider. But most often, babysitting is more than just watching the children. Aside from the extra pair of hands you get from hiring a babysitter, a lot of responsibilities are performed.

You Get to Take A Break

Taking care of your toddler can halt your life. If you have not been out of the house for weeks, hiring a babysitter can benefit you. Babysitting services gives you a breather from all the hassle and buzzle of parenthood. A sitter allows you me-time so you can go to your favorite salon or to a spa and have that much needed massage. Also, hiring a babysitter gives you and your husband some couple time so the two of you can go out to dinner and watch a Broadway show. Not only do you get time away but it also helps strengthen you and your spouse’s marriage.

You Are Secured of Your Toddler’s Welfare

If you are a working mom, then you know how heartbreaking it feels to leave your toddler at home while you work. But, once you know your young one is under the care of a good sitter, all your worries go away. You are comforted by the thought that your toddler is safe, happy and well taken care of. So if in case you need to do overtime work or have dinner with your business associates, you no longer have to worry how your toddler is doing, if he has eaten his meal or if he has completed his homework.

Improves Your Toddler’s People Skills

Temporary separation trains your little one how to interact with other individuals. Exposing your child to different people aside from his parents and siblings enable him to learn how to adapt, adjust, respect and coordinate with others. A babysitter is a good instrument in helping your toddler establish long lasting relationships. Plus, he gets to experience a change in his everyday routine which teaches your toddler how to have fun no matter where he goes and who he is with.

Provides Variety

A competent babysitter is a good influence to your toddler. The sitter can give a diversity of influence which can promote your little one’s development. If your babysitter has a strong French-speaking influence, she can teach your toddler how to converse in French giving him the opportunity to learn different languages early in his life which he can utilize in the future.

Lightens Your Work Load

With your busy schedule, looking after your toddler and doing household chores can be impossible to balance. If your house is quite messy and needs a little cleaning, your babysitter can also perform light housekeeping tasks. A sitter will always clean up toys, dishes, utensils or other items that are used during babysitting. She can cook lunch and dinner, bathe your toddler and see to it he sleeps before his bedtime.

Easier Transition

A new environment may scare your toddler. Having a babysitter helps your toddler adjust at a more comfortable pace. He will no longer feel scared and anxious over the abrupt changes. Since your toddler knows he is in a safe haven, he is more open to have someone else take care of him. Plus, it is easier to keep illnesses at bay as compared to day care centers wherein viruses can be easily passed on from child to child.

When looking for a child care provider for your toddler, why not try relative care? For most parents, it is the perfect provider because it gives them security in knowing that their child is in safe hands. To help you better understand how it works, here are the answers to the most asked questions about relative care.

Question # 1: What are the criteria’s of a good relative care provider?

Answer: There are 3 important features every parent must look for – availability, ability and attitude.

• Availability - Parents who are hard at work are lucky enough to have family members who are willing to look after their toddler. But, relative care goes beyond that. Just like babysitting or nanny care, a relative caregiver needs to be accessible at any time. Meaning, the relative should be open in accommodating the toddler when the parents need her to.
• Ability - The most important concern in a relative child care set up is the ability of the relative to provide outstanding guardianship. The caregiver needs to be physically, intellectually and psychologically fit to look after the toddler on a daily basis. The relative must also be trustworthy at all times and must have a natural affection towards the toddler. She needs to adapt and follow your parenting and discipline style. No changes must be made without your consent.
• Attitude - A relative needs to be responsible with your little one’s welfare. If she cancels on days where she is supposed to look after your little one without giving you any valid explanation, then clearly she is not a dependable caregiver. She needs to have an open mind especially when terms of your different parenting techniques. Lastly, even if she is paid less than the standard rate of a trained childcare provider, she must do her work proficiently.

Question # 2: How will you know if your relative is a perfect match for your toddler?

Answer: Even though you already created a bond with each other, it is still important to have a formal conversation with your relative to properly gauge whether or not your relative and your toddler can establish a solid relationship. Sit down and discuss the demands of the job, your expectations as well as your rules and regulations. Ask for her insights and opinions. Discuss with your relative the physical and emotional work involved. Inquire about her childcare style so you can determine whether or not she can provide a secure, fun and nurturing environment for your little one. You know she is the right one when she is open to your ideas and criticisms.

Question # 3: Should you pay for your relative’s services?

Answer: Yes, you need to pay your relative. But if in case she refuses to take the money, then respect her decision. The safest way for you to pay back your relative’s good deed without hurting her ego is by giving her small compensations like a rest day, gift certificates to a spa, beauty salon, clothing store or restaurants. Delivering flowers or gift baskets (grocery items) will also work.

Question # 4: What are the advantages and disadvantages of relative care?

Answer:

Advantages

• You are aware of your relative’s traits and her past.
• You find someone you can totally trust. Relative care gives you the peace of mind you have longed for. Since she is your own family, you are ensured that your caregiver is truly concerned of your toddler’s happiness, health and welfare.
• Your toddler can stay at home or in your relative’s home. He is ensured of a comforting and safe atmosphere.
• The least expensive type of childcare as you can choose to pay for your relative’s services by giving money or compensation’s like a paid vacation, electric bill support and so on.

Disadvantages

• It can be quite difficult to form an employer-employee relationship because of your personal bond.
• The caregiver can clash with how you raise your toddler especially if she is older than you. She may choose to instil her own discipline style which can only confuse your toddler.
• Complications can arise over payments for her services.
• Your toddler may feel more emotionally attached with his caregiver than with his parents.

Question # 5: How do you maintain your personal relationship?

Answer: Just keep things casual. Lay down your rules from the start. Hear out your relative’s opinions and requests. Most importantly, always keep communication lines open.

A home is where children are supposed to feel loved and protected. But what happens when toddlers do not get these? Foster care is intended to help abandoned and abused children to find homes where they can be safe and nurtured.

What Foster Care Means

Adoption and foster care are two different things. In adoption, the couple who adopts become accountable for everything that concerns the child until the child grows up. Once every paper work has been settled, the child will have the couple’s last name. In foster care, a social worker is always present to check-up on the child. The child’s last name will not be changed and childcare is temporary.

Its Positive Effects to Toddlers

Resolves Family Issues

Most foster care institutions have psychological counseling to help toddlers understand things easier. Because of the counselings they get, they are able to come into terms with their past. Feelings are mended and broken hearts are slowly healed.

Proper Guidance Is Gained

It is not true that children in foster care are not well-taken care of. Most foster care institutions assure toddlers of a secure, loving and nurturing environment that is far different from what they are used to. Toddlers are given a chance to prosper at their own pace, be happy and resolve personal issues with the professional help they get.

Good Education Is Attained

Foster care allows children to go to school. There are bigger chances for toddlers to become a well-rounded individual with a bright future with the permanent fixture of a school, teachers, classmates, friends, lessons and extracurricular activities.

Its Negative Effects to Toddlers

Attachment Issues

Since foster care is temporary, toddlers become emotionally troubled whether or not they should build relationships especially since they tend to move around various foster families. This can lead to poor social interaction which can generally cause serious personality problems in the future. The uncertainty between the need to belong and the hesitation to feel emotionally attached is so strong that toddlers in foster care often become loners.

Vulnerability

Toddlers do not have any say in when and where they go. Hence, they feel helpless that they cannot mend their situation. Once they feel this weakness, they begin to develop the feeling of being unwanted which in turn often leads to depression, loneliness and rebellion.

High Risk to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

75% of children in a foster care have experienced physical and emotional abuse from their biological parents. Thus, there is a very big possibility that the shock and stress can lead to long-term trauma. Once psychological issues are not treated properly, toddlers can carry out their experiences and ultimately repeat them in the future.

Poor Self- Confidence

Children who are under the care of a foster care provider often feel very angry and rejected. The rejection they feel intensifies their sense of loss. Hence, the awkward feeling they get increases their lack of confidence and in order for them to cover-up their poor self-esteem, they can do two things – be too shy to mingle with their peers or become a bully to cover up their insecurities.

In a nutshell, foster care can either make children better or worse. There is no definite answer to this question as its effects fully depend on how a child copes up with this kind of childcare set-up.

Looking for someone to care for your toddler is an excruciating job. Finding the right person to trust is even harder. You want only the best for your precious one and a child care provider can offer a secure, warm and fostering environment. And in this modern world where finances are tight, learning the costs of child care is imperative to help you plan for the extra expense.

Important Factors

Where You Live

Child care varies from city to city. Hence, your geographic location is the number one factor in determining the cost of child care. Rates are based on a certain city’s cost of living, the population, annual salary income, unemployment rate and modernism. States with the least expensive child care costs are Alabama, Idaho, North Dakota, South Carolina and Texas. While states with very expensive child care costs are California, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New York, Pennsylvania, Washington D.C. and Wisconsin.

A Toddler’s Age

Age is another consideration. Child care costs for babies from 0 to 11 months old are more affordable since lesser work is required in a child care provider. All the caregiver has to do is to feed, bathe, change the diapers and put the infant to sleep. For toddlers from ages 1 to 4 or for those in their preschool years, the cost of child care is higher. At this point, taking care of children is a bigger obligation since caregivers have to prepare meals, help with your toddler’s homework and stay up late to wait for you to come home. Plus, it is not an easy job to run after a hyper child and manage other household duties at the same time.

Operating Hours

Whether your little one’s child care provider is a stay in or a stay out caregiver, an establishment or a relative, the hours put into looking after your toddler is meticulously observed. Some child care providers may have a fixed salary while others may not. This depends on the agreed schedule of the parents and the provider.

The Type of Child Care Provider

Day Care Centers

The cost of a day care provider still depends on where you live and the quality of the day care center. In most cases, a day care center costs anywhere from $10 to $40 an hour. Since it is a professional center, you do not only pay for the caregivers’ services but you also pay for the day care’s operating cost and their reliability.

Typically, day care centers for infants and toddlers are very expensive since children at this age entail more hands-on care and one-on-one attention. Plus, a day care center accepts 25 to 30 children in a single class which requires more caregivers. The average child care rate in a day care ranges from $975 to $2,000 a month.

Day care centers for preschoolers are technically lower as toddlers are more self-sufficient. Child care costs are between $333 to $1,000 per month.

Home Day Care Centers

A home day care is located within the neighborhood so rates are more affordable. This child care provider is a smaller establishment than a day care so a maximum of 7 children are accepted and only 2 caregivers are employed. Average cost ranges from $300 per month. However, for a licensed home day care center, standard child care rates can go as high as $1,500 to $2,000 a month.

Relative Care

This type of caregiver is tricky as you do not want to offend your relative by paying her services. Basically, you do have to pay for relative care. But if she refuses to accept your payment, then cost of child care is free. In most cases, a relative is more willing to accept any token of appreciation. For example, gift certificates to her favorite boutique, salon or spa, movie or Broadway passes, grocery baskets or even a simple thank you card will do. Giving her a day off once a week is also good.

Nanny Care

Nanny care is the most expensive child care provider. Under the law of the U.S. government, a nanny is a legal employee and you are her employer. If she is a full-time nanny and lives with your family, a typical salary ranges from $400 to $700 a week. A part-time or stay out nanny’s salary averages between $350 to $650 per week. Aside from her monthly salary you have to pay for her taxes, health insurance, vacation leave, sick days and even open a bank account for financial aid.

Babysitting is a huge responsibility. Hiring a good babysitter is a bigger obligation in ensuring a toddler’s welfare. Therefore, it is important that both the parents and the babysitter recognize how babysitting jobs work.

Qualifications of A Babysitter

• A babysitter must be at least 18 years old.
• Has a CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) certificate.
• Is capable of working between 5 to 7 in the evening or basically until the parents come home again.
• Can work on weekends if necessary.
• Knows basic child care skills – cooking, feeding, bathing, tooth brushing and other bed time rituals

A Babysitter’s Obligations

Take Care of Children

A babysitter’s primary job is to watch over a family’s children for a few hours. Each babysitter’s task is different depending on the age of a child, his needs and the parenting style of parents. For infants, a sitter needs to change diapers, feed, let the baby burp, carry the baby, wash baby bottles, put the infant to sleep and watch over the baby. For toddlers and preschoolers, responsibilities include – driving a toddler to his swimming practice, grocery shopping, making dinner, helping a toddler with his homework, fixing him a snack and putting him to sleep.

Keep Toddlers Safe

Parents assign their children to babysitters because they know they can trust them with their child’s welfare. A babysitter must know general rules like – not letting strangers in, checking the windows before opening the front door, making sure the doors are securely locked and performing basic first aid. A sitter must also have a list of emergency numbers handy such as the parents’ and the relatives cell phone numbers, 911, hospital, fire department and Poison Control Center.

Knowing how to perform proper CPR is also a prerequisite especially when a toddler is unconscious or is having an asthma attack. The ambulance can take quite some time so wasting a single minute is not an option.

Follow Particular Requests of Parents

Parents can be finicky with rules especially when it involves their child. Some parents may require a babysitter to follow through the family’s bedtime routine. Hence, it is essential that the sitter should have convincing skills to persuade a child to go to bed and stay in bed. Or, they may ask a sitter to come up with a daily plan that layouts a babysitter’s activities for their little one. For a toddler needing special attention, it is a must that the babysitter is capable of helping their child with his physical disability.

Know How to Manage Time and Multi-task

Caring for toddlers is never an easy task. With a ravenous energy and a never ending thirst for action, babysitter’s often get stressed out. Thus, a good babysitter must be able to manage complicated obligations. A sitter needs to balance cooking a toddler’s meal while keeping the young one entertained.

A Babysitter’s Limitations

No Physical and Emotional Abuse

Toddlers are prone to misbehaving. At times like this, staying calm is the best solution for both parties. A sitter should never scold and shout. Spanking and hitting are a big no-no. The best way to reprimand a toddler is by talking in a cool and firm manner. Giving a time-out is also effective. Behavioral issues must be addressed to the parents so they can give proper disciplinary measures.

No House Visits

Most often, toddlers are put at risk because babysitter’s invite friends to come over the house without the parents consent. This is a sign of unprofessionalism. Plus, it puts the child’s well-being in danger.

Different daycare options are present for you to choose from, home daycare being the most popular. There are a lot of benefits both you and your toddler can get that are not offered in larger programs. The following are:

Incorporates Learning Through Play

At this point, your toddler’s willingness to study and learn in a serious setting is very low. A home daycare center provides a perfect balance between education and play. Lessons are done by holding entertaining activities like storytelling, role plays, fun puppet shows, painting and arts and crafts. Because of its casual atmosphere, your toddler gets to play as much as he wants without him noticing that he is learning new words, the alphabet, numbers and so on.

Enhanced Social Interaction

Unlike a daycare center where toddlers are grouped according to age, a home daycare have a mixed age-group. This provides a better opportunity for your toddler to meet and make friends with both older and younger children. It is able to provide a sense of family so your toddler is able to adjust properly with different people. A home daycare closely scenario’s a family wherein your little one learns how to comfortably deal with an elder toddler and how to care for a younger child.

Provides An At Home Setting

Home daycare’s were designed to make toddlers feel relaxed, not uneasy. Unlike regular schools, its ambiance is very light, colorful and welcoming which enables children to feel that they are in their own home. The center is fully equipped with items that are generally found in your own house. The change of surrounding will not scare your toddler. Instead, it will excite him.

Continued Routines

Habits are hard to break. With this child care provider, you no longer have to worry whether or not your toddler will feel confused with the changes going on around him. Home daycare’s are patterned to adapt with the needs and routines of children, not change them. Your toddler can play, eat lunch, take naps and go outdoors the same time he normally does on a daily basis. There is no employee turnover, so your child does not have to adjust to a different caregiver every few weeks. This gives him a sense of stability and enables him to grow a genuine bond with the caregiver as well as the other youngsters in her care.

Better Service

Home daycare regulates the number of toddlers they take in. The small group of toddlers (maximum of 10) assures you that they are capable of providing quality service. They are able to give one on one care and undivided attention which is essential so each toddler can thrive with ease. Special instructions are better accommodated especially for toddlers with special needs.

Healthier Environment

The more toddlers enrolled in a program, the more viruses are present. One of the best benefits of a home daycare is that the smaller size decreases the number of diseases spread to children. In addition, this provider is better in supervising toddlers’ hygiene practices – hand washing, use of soap, tooth brushing and wiping.

More Affordable and Flexible

Because it is not a commercial establishment, operation costs are reduced. Perfect if you are low on funds. They provide better pick-up and drop-off points. Plus, if you are a working parent with an erratic schedule, a home daycare can offer you more leeway. Since operating hours depends on the provider, extended time is given so your toddler can stay safe inside the center while waiting for you to arrive.

Choosing the best child care for your toddler is very important since your toddler practically spends most of his day with his caregiver. That is why, most parents turn to relative care. Not only is it practical and convenient but it also provides security.

Relative care is a form of child care provided by a family member – an uncle, aunt, cousin or grandparent. But with all its handiness, one question still remains. Can parents and children truly benefit from it? These pros and cons were gathered to help you decide.

The Positive Side

There Is Security

One of the most essential advantages of relative care is that there is trust between the toddler’s parents and the child care provider. Once you know the provider is your own kin, you no longer have to worry whether or not your toddler is safe and treated well since she has affection towards your toddler and is genuinely concerned with your toddler’s welfare. In short, you get peace of mind which you cannot feel when a babysitter or a nanny is taking care of your little one. You already established a personal relationship with your relative. Therefore, you have a clear idea of your relative’s background – her past, characteristics (both good and bad), personal habits and discipline style (if she has her own children). Plus, you get assurance that the family member will respect and share your way of parenting.

There Is Flexibility

Unplanned meetings, emergencies and other inevitable circumstances are no longer a hassle to you. With relative care, you get to take charge of your time. Schedules are more flexible. Hence, you are able to make requests and be accommodated at any time. Whether you have to work earlier or later than usual, you can be sure your relative is available.

Less Expensive

Another positive benefit relative care brings is that the cost is more affordable than play schools and nanny care. You save time and transportation cost. As compared to other types of child care provider where rates and taxes are skyrocketing, you have the power to negotiate how much you are willing to pay for a relative’s service. You can either offer to pay a small amount of cash or provide some kind of compensation.

Safer Environment      

You no longer have to train your toddler to wake up early to go to his playschool and disrupt his daily routine. Your little one can stay at home or in your relative’s home so you are assured that your toddler is in a safe, comforting and fostering environment.

Stronger Family Bond

Because someone else is caring for your toddler aside from you, your child is able to form a strong bond between his relatives. If your relative has kids of her own, your toddler will have instant playmates. He is exposed to a wider scope of people which is a good exercise in helping him mold his personality.

The Negative Side

Poor Employer-Employee Relationship

Since your toddler’s caregiver is your family, it can be quite difficult to create a strong working rapport especially when you and your toddler’s caregiver are very close. Asking the help of older relatives can also be stressful since they may feel they know better about child care more than you do. This can have a great impact with your toddler’s beliefs and every day routine.

Confuses Your Toddler

Toddlers thrive once consistency is present. Thus, having a relative caring for him in the morning and you in the evening can puzzle your little one. What he was used to before can change if his caregiver alters your parenting style.

Limited Social Interaction

While your toddler can socialize with his cousins, still, it does not substitute the exposure your toddler gets when he is in a day care center. The limited interaction he gets does not help him prepare for school which can cause delays in his development.

Too Much Emotional Attachment

Because your toddler spends most days with his caregiver, it is possible for him to be more affectionate with his caregiver than with his parents particularly if he only gets limited time to bond with you and your husband. This can weaken your parent-child connection especially when your child gets too emotionally involved with his relative.

In a nutshell, relative care is a better childcare choice. As long as you and your caregiver keep communication lines open and retain a good relationship, problems will be kept at bay.

When you need to go out for work, leaving your toddler at home can be depressing. But, thanks to modern childcare services, you do not have to constantly worry about your toddler’s welfare. Nanny care for your toddler is a blessing. So even if it costs more, you are assured that you get the best service for your child.

Nanny care at home makes the day less demanding for you and your little one. Since the nanny will become almost a part of the family, stability and reassurance is guaranteed. There are a number of advantages nanny care brings, the following are:

One on One Care Is Given

Since the nanny takes care of your toddler inside the family’s home, your little one gets plenty of attention and motivation. As compared to a regular day care center, a nanny is able to attentively observe your toddler’s growth on a daily basis through the activities he does. The shift will not surprise your toddler as the care is similar to the care he gets from you. Your toddler’s social, emotional, and intellectual growth are the nanny’s topmost priority. A stronger bond is formed between the two which is helpful to your toddler’s development.

You Get Household Support

Nannies are not only bounded to looking after your toddler’s welfare. Since she ultimately spends her hours inside your home, she can multitask and be of great assistance in doing household chores. The nanny can prepare your meals. The free time you get helps you bond with your toddler. You can sit and eat together during breakfast or play for a little while without worrying if you are late for work. Plus, the nanny can take care of basic housekeeping such as grocery shopping, sweeping, dish washing, laundry and so on.

Undisrupted Routine

Your toddler likes to be in familiar surroundings. Nanny care allows your little one to stay in the comforts of his home all day. The convenience of a home setting is a great plus for your child. He bathes in his own shower, eats in his own kitchen, sleeps in his bed and play with neighborhood kids. The more your toddler gets used to a routine the greater he is able to reveal his individual needs. This helps him incorporate new things into his daily practices smoothly.

Less Exposure to Viruses

As much as possible, you want your toddler to be in tiptop condition. A playschool can risk your toddler’s health as there are a lot of children and unfamiliar objects that can transmit germs which can make your toddler sick. A nanny care provider does not necessarily immune your toddler from illness but she is able to constantly check your toddler which helps decrease the number of viruses your toddler is exposed to.

Flexible Schedule

In case of any emergency, you can easily contact the nanny to take care of your toddler since a nanny’s schedule is tailored to fit your individual needs. Last minute changes are accommodated so if you need to rush to an impromptu meeting or you have to visit a sick relative, you can just call up his nanny and have her come over the house so your toddler has company.

Consistent Interaction

Your toddler gets to learn how to interact with people at an early age. This hones his social skills which is essential once he starts school. A long-term nanny provides constant care through the many stages of your toddler’s life. So even if his nanny retires, the strong bond between them is still present which assures your little one that building a long lasting relationship is good and doable even when the individual is not always around.

You Maximize Your Time

You and your husband can also benefit from a nanny care service. Even if you are working, you get the advantage of having a few hours of free time where you can pamper yourself, relax and do your hobbies. Plus, you get to finish your errands quickly since your toddler is not with you.

Saves You Money

Even if you pay extra for your nanny’s services and taxes, it is still a cost effective decision since the nanny can also perform other daily tasks (laundry, mopping, cooking meals, etc.). You get multiple quality service while paying a single price.

Hiring a nanny both in a financial and personal perspective is very practical. You get security of your toddler’s welfare, you get more me time and stress is minimized.

Ensuring your toddler gets the best childcare he deserves is imperative especially when you need to leave your child to someone else’s care for work. A babysitter can do the job. When choosing one, how will you know if you are hiring the best? Most often, finding the right person can be tricky. But, when you know how to spot excellent qualities, a sitter can be a real asset to your family.

Your toddler’s security is of your utmost concern. Hence, rushing to find any babysitter available only puts your toddler’s welfare at risk. The secret to hiring the best is to be observant and open-minded. When looking for a babysitter, keep in mind the following qualities.

Top Five Qualities of A Babysitter

A good babysitter must…

Be Able to Adapt

There is nothing more terrifying than a babysitter who lets your toddler wander by himself into the backyard while she is busy talking on the phone. A good babysitter must be capable of adapting to your house rules and family routines, someone who follows your disciplinary technique instead of changing them and making up her own style.

Since the sitter will be the one who takes charge of the household while you are away, a babysitter should be able to know how to bond with the family. Someone who can connect with every family member can most likely support your value system as well.

Be Responsible

Maturity is another essential quality a good babysitter must possess regardless of age. The sitter must be able to have a sense of urgency, meaning, someone who knows what to do during uncalled circumstances and is capable of giving first aid help. If she stays calm and patient when under pressure, then that is a good telltale sign. She must be capable of owning up to her mistakes and overseeing your toddler’s health and well-being. You can easily detect this quality by simply evaluating her answers to your queries. Observe her lifestyle, if she still goes to school, works at home or provides assistance to her family. Making a house visit to your prospective sitter is advised.

Exercise Promptness

A sitter who is on time or is at least 5 to 15 minutes early asserts you that she is a punctual and responsible individual. Tardiness must be kept to a minimum and the babysitter must have a valid reason for her lateness.

Have Good Rapport With Your Toddler

You know your little one has found his perfect match when he squeals with delight whenever the sitter is around. It is essential that your toddler and his babysitter understand each other. She must enjoy being around children and be able to communicate with your child in a clear, prompt and easy-to-follow manner.

Have Excellent References

Finally, a good babysitter must be in demand. Meaning, she must have an extensive recommendation from previous employers. Even if a sitter is young, if she is greatly suggested, then most probably she is an experienced, dependable and honest babysitter. Ask your relatives, co-workers and neighbors for a list of babysitters they have hired.

Keep these five qualities in mind when you start searching for a babysitter. So even if you are away from home, you know your toddler is safe giving you peace of mind.