For Parents

15 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Babysitter

A good interview is less about the résumé and more about judgment. Mix practical questions with a couple of scenarios and watch how they think.

Experience & logistics

1. How long have you been babysitting, and for what ages?
2. Are you comfortable with my kids' ages specifically?
3. Do you have CPR/first-aid training?
4. Do you drive? Can you do pickups if needed?
5. What days/times are you generally available?
6. What's your rate, and how do you prefer to be paid?

Judgment scenarios

7. What would you do if my child wouldn't stop crying?
8. What if a stranger came to the door?
9. How would you handle a minor injury — a scraped knee, a bumped head?
10. What would you do in a real emergency, step by step?
11. How do you handle screen time and bedtime pushback?

Fit & values

12. What do you enjoy about babysitting?
13. How do you keep kids engaged without screens?
14. Can you share a reference or two?
15. Is there anything you're not comfortable doing?

Trust your gut on the intangibles — warmth, calm, and how the kids respond to them in a quick meet-and-greet often tell you more than any answer. Then settle the rate and leave them a checklist.

General information for families and sitters — not professional childcare, legal, or medical advice. In an emergency, contact emergency services.