Whether it’s your first job or a little side gig to make some extra cash, babysitting is a decent source of income. However, it isn’t always as easy as it may seem. Understanding the safety and intricacies of babysitting will make your first day on the job go much smoother. Additionally, it can make your search for finding the perfect babysitter much easier. According to the province of Ontario, parents must make “reasonable provision” for their children’s supervision and care. In particular, the law doesn’t give a specific age when a child can be left alone. With this in mind, hiring a babysitter is a perfect way to ensure your child’s safety.
How can I find a good babysitter?
Let’s face it, finding the perfect babysitter can be a difficult task. If you don’t have a trusted, qualified family member or friend, it can be challenging. However, there is a plethora of resources, both online and in person. These can help you find the perfect person to watch over your children. However, with this comes much difficulty and confusion. So, where do you start? Websites such as care.com and canadiannanny.ca help new parents find the perfect babysitter to fit their needs. You can look for a babysitter, either temporarily or permanently, in less than 15 minutes! Users of these sites go through a screening process before they are allowed to interact with families, for everyone’s safety.
What should I look for in a good babysitter?
If the idea of working with someone you do not know is unsettling for you, don’t fret! Another way to find a babysitter is simply through word of mouth. Do you have friends or family members who are great around children? Do they have children and know a reliable babysitter? Asking around to see who can babysit or who can recommend a babysitter is a great place to start. You can feel extra confident your child, or children, are in good hands!
There are many things to look for when it comes to finding a good babysitter. Generally, you’ll want to look for the following when conducting your search:
1. The sitter has good references
This is crucial! Asking a potential hire for references is a great way to see how they’ve interacted with other families during past babysitting jobs. The babysitter is looking for a job, so the interview process should be similar to any other hiring process. As parents themselves, past employers should be happy to give a clear overview to help another new parent out.
2. The babysitter has the correct credentials and training
Let’s face it, you don’t want just anybody watching your children. Making sure your babysitter is trained in courses, like CPR, or infant and childcare will give you peace of mind knowing they can handle any emergency that comes their way. If you find your sitter is a good fit, but fails to have any courses or credentials, don’t hesitate to ask them to take a class or two before getting started.
3. The sitter is the right fit for your kids
To be more precise, make sure they get along with your children! During the hiring process, arranging a little meet and greet with the child or infant is a great way to see if your sitter and child get along. Commonly, parents will arrange a trial shift. This involves letting the sitter watch over your child while you are still at home. This will allow you to make any slight recommendations or adjustments to their style. Furthermore, it will make your child much more comfortable when the time comes they are left alone with them.
What happens if an accident occurs while babysitting?
Babysitters are the unsung heroes for both children and parents. But we often forget, it’s a job. Have you ever thought about how your homeowners’ policy would respond to a claim involving a hired babysitter or a child you are caring for in your home?
To begin, your basic home insurance won’t always kick in for certain scenarios. Your home insurance policy’s personal liability protection may cover you in case someone is hurt, or something is damaged on your property. To make sure you are safe if anything happens, it is worth speaking to your isure broker before having a babysitter over. In many situations, you may have the option of adding an extension to your home-based business insurance onto your home insurance coverage. We can discuss adding the right home insurance endorsement to your policy or having the underwriter document the policy, accepting the risk.
Babysitting: A conclusion
At the end of the day, making sure both your child and the babysitter are kept safe is crucial! If you’re in the process of hiring a babysitter and need to discuss your home insurance coverage, contact us or request a home insurance quote today!
