Babysitting can be defined as temporarily caring for a child. Babysitting can be a paid job for all ages; however, it is best known as a temporary activity for early teenagers who are not yet eligible for employment in the general economy.
The one important thing to remember is that all children are not the same, every child is unique and different so a babysitter is required to pay attention to them.
Here are 23 amazing tips for getting a babysitting job, Enjoy.
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1. Being Patient
Being a good babysitter takes time, and caring for children can take plenty of time! While it might seem frustrating at times, you’ll need to allow children to find their way, learn from their mistakes, and even take 15 minutes to tie their shoes just let them do their thing as that’s how they learn.
2. Punctual
Punctuality is a very important skill a sitter is expected to have, be on time for your work if you can, be at the house earlier, parents tend to be happy and see you as a responsible sitter if one keeps to time always
3. Preparing and Cleaning Bottles for Babies:
Children are very sensitive and although have a quick and strong immune system they should be paid proper attention to. A babysitter should know how to prepare bottles and clean them for children. They are to know how to clean them up with the right about of cleaning material. The way one cleans the bottle of a newborn isn’t the way one cleans the bottle of a year old and a sitter is expected to know this
4. Changing Diapers
It is never fun when babies and toddlers have dirty diapers, but it’s necessary to change them as soon as possible and a babysitter is expected to know how to change a diaper fast. He/she is encouraged to have practiced with at least a doll before applying for the job because it’s a must. If a changing table is unavailable, change the baby on the floor or your lap and never leave the baby on a changing table unattended because kids have an amazing superpower of being fast.
5. Preparing Food for the Kids:
This is one skill that can put you above other babysitters. A sitter who can comfortably prepare meals for the kids going to be picked over one who can’t. The sitter must pay attention to the parents to know each child’s allergies and meal plan in case they are away or unavailable.
A sitter with a basic skill of sandwich, burger, Omelette is a top.
6. Keeping the Child Safe
This is the most important responsibility, and it’s expected to be done with care. A child’s safety is and will forever be the rule of 1 of the babysitters. So to be an outstanding sitter, it’s expected for you to take basic first aid lessons, always be with the child and never let the child out of your presence even for once.
7. Meeting the Children on time.
The worst thing that can happen is accepting a job and finding out you can’t do it. Asking to meet the children first will place you as a caring and organized person. So while applying for a sitter job, always ask to meet the children beforehand.
8. Administering Medications
Most kids are usually on food supplement drugs or other drugs due to their tendency to get sick easily, especially babies. A parent will feel. safe leaving the child in the hands of a sitter who understands when and how to administer a drug.
9. Assisting with Homework
A sitter is likened to a big sister or brother and one of the responsibilities of the older ones is to help the younger ones with school homework and projects. A sitter who is intelligent and understanding and also willing to help out with a school project is a sitter for life.
10. Communication
A sitter is expected to be always reachable while working, he/she is to have the parents on speed dial at all times and this also applies to the parents. A sitter is also required to comfortably keep communication with both the parent and kids.
11. Cleaning, Disinfecting Toys And Play areas
Cleaning is a basic skill required of sitters. Kids aren’t like adults, they do not know when to wash their hands unless they are told to do so. They play out their hearts and a sitter must clean up and disinfect their toys and play area.
12. Always be Ready
If possible, bring some age-appropriate games or crafts to keep the child engaged and entertained. It’s recommended that you play along with the child as much as possible. This will make your time together more enjoyable, and will also help you bond with the child.
13. Being Organized
Most children do well in a controlled environment, so structure and routine are necessary. A Sitter should always know how to be organized, keep a diary or a journal of all the activities that happened in a day. This dairy comes in handy when applying for another job too as parents love an organized sitter
14. Learn to drive.
This is a bonus to anyone applying to be a sitter, as much as we hate it, emergencies come up a lot of times and at a point, the sitter is required to drive the kids to either the hospital or clinic. A sitter who can drive should also know the safety rules like kids under 12 should not be allowed to ride in front and everyone’s seat belts must be fastened.
15. Get Children to Bed on Time
A kid’s favorite thing to do is skip bedtime, somehow that is their favorite game. One will think that as they grow older it’s easier to get them to sleep but it’s not. A sitter is to make sure thru keep to their routine bedtime. She/He can read the books or sing a lullaby just to get them to sleep.
16. Being Able to Calm Upset Children
This is one skill that a sitter must have because children are not only loud but quick to get upset. They tend to scream and shout over little petty things and a sitter is expected to be able to calm them down.
17. Solving Conflict
Conflicts between children often arise because kids don’t yet have the skills to solve problems on their own. As a babysitter, it’s your job to gently guide them so they can come up with a solution themselves.
18. Ability to do light house chores
As a babysitter, you may be expected to do some daily chores, especially when observing infants or toddlers, as they can be very messy!
Such duties may include doing laundry, keeping toys clean and in their place, tidying up the child’s bedroom, and vacuuming the play area.
19. Have the Required Qualifications
Anyone considering a job in childcare should complete a first aid course and become certified in CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).
Babysitters can earn more money and find more work by being CPR certified because most parents consider this training to be vital when someone is caring for their beloved child.
Organizations like the Red Cross offer babysitting courses to obtain CPR, First Aid, and AED (automated external defibrillator) certifications. Make sure to also bring a portable first aid kit to your babysitting jobs
20. Being Accountable
As a babysitter, you must always be responsible and accountable.
Understand and acknowledge the important role you have to the parent who hires you and the children you care for. Have a valid driver’s license administer all medications properly and always put the best interests of the child first to create an environment where happiness and safety are key players.
21. Flexible
Parents appreciate a flexible babysitter. That means being able to adapt to different needs and situations seamlessly.
Parents might arrive home an hour or so later than expected some nights because of traffic or any other number of reasons like working late. As a babysitter, you should expect that you won’t always finish exactly on time, and should be okay with that. Flexibility includes negotiating when it comes to paying rates, schedules, and generally being easy-going about all things involved with babysitting.
22. Self-Confident
Children and parents Are alike and will judge you by how you act and look. When dealing with either of them, you need to be confident and sure enough in your knowledge and abilities to stand your ground.
Babysitters need to know how to communicate to build a bond with new children that they’re watching. You don’t need to be the most bubbly and extroverted person in the world, but you at least need to come across as someone friendly and confident in yourself.
23. Have Good Manners
As a babysitter, you’re setting an example for the children that you’re watching. You should show a basic level of etiquette and manners that you would expect them to follow as well. It
This means simple things like saying please and thank you, and generally being courteous. You should be using table manners when eating with the kids and showing general respect for the family home. This includes respecting their privacy and not going through drawers and closets without permission, or handling their possessions.