When you consider leaving your children with a stranger you want to be confident that they are left in safe hands.

There are many options for finding a babysitter, online services have classifieds where babysitters advertise their services, your accommodation may provide a referral for a service here on the coast or pick up the yellow pages and check under Babysitters. If you don't have a trusted source, it can be difficult to relax when

Noosa Kids grew from Marina’s experience of 20 years working as a nanny. Here’s a brief outline of what to look for in a carer and referral agencies.

5 top tips for choosing a babysitter

1. Ensure they have a First Aid Certificate

2. Ensure your babysitter holds a Blue Card – which ensures they have been screened for offences against children.

 3. Ensure your babysitter has experience with children of your child’s age. It is so different caring for a baby, compared to caring for a three year old. The risks associated with the two groups are quite varied.

 4. Ensure you have spoken to your carer – ask them when they call to confirm your booking – what type of experience they have and ask them what they would do in a particular scenario. E.g. First Aid scenario (drowning, choking, cuts etc) Supervision scenario – if they go to check on your sleeping child and find them missing, if your child wakes crying for you etc.

This is your one opportunity to check that in fact the referred carer is suitable for your family.  

 5. Ask the carer what they will do with your children while they are there. You will have to give the ages of your children again, as in my experience some agencies mistakenly provide the wrong information to carers.

 In QLD and most of Australia, nanny and babysitting agencies do not have to follow any regulations. Sadly, I must admit that I have worked for agencies who have not even checked my references.

 Noosa Kids only recommends Supernannies and Angelcare as we have called many times to gain information about their screening processes, have met many carers they refer and have found them to behave professionally.

 If you are calling agencies, ask the following questions to gain some idea as to what calibre of agency you are dealing with.

The best agencies I have used in the past call the next morning to check on how things went, ask us to call the parents to confirm the booking within 2 days of the booking and have a decent fee for carers. By paying your carer a fair fee you will attract a better calibre of carer.  

 1.What screening process do your carers undertake?

Basic Screening should include – a phone interview, a face to face interview which includes answering scenarios first aid questions and child development questions. For instance, if your carer doesn’t understand a 13 month old may not be confident with being left with a stranger as they don’t comprehend that Mummy will be back – they may not react in a compassionate way and understand how to distract your child’s attention, while reassuring them that you will be back.

 2. What fee do you charge? Many agencies will tell you what the overall fee is, but not what the carers receive. A carer should receive $15 as a minimum, but a fair rate of pay is $18 – 22 for an experienced childcare worker for babysitting. Some agencies charge from $15 – 30 for the booking fee.

 3. What will happen if the carer doesn’t arrive on time – can you reach the agency at (whatever time your booking starts) – what will they do in those circumstances.

 4. Mentally note what questions the agency asks you. Children’s ages, how many children, special requirements, what duties will be involved - are the basics they should ask you. The better agencies will ask more details about your child’s interested, routines and their experiences in childcare. These types of questions will help them ascertain which carer will best suit your family.

 5. For a few more clues – ask how long they have been in business, what their background is in the childcare industry (you’ll find many agency operators are either nannies themselves or were parents who were dissatisfied with the service they received. If their qualifications are limited to – “I thought I could do a better job than the agency I used” ask a few more questions about screening of their candidates!

 By this stage, you are either feeling confident with the consultant you are speaking with or you may be feeling a little uneasy. Go with your gut instinct – it’s usually right in these circumstances.
 

If you have any concerns please don’t hesitate to call Marina on 0439 210 816 for advice or for referrals.