babysitter interview questions!?

Okay, so I am going to be setting up a few interviews for potential babysitters and I have no idea where to begin. I mean, I have never had to do this before and it has come to the point, where I have to do this. I got a membership on sittercity.com and only will interview those who have references and background checks so I need advice on how I should do interviews. I have experience being the one who is interviewed but I just cant seem to piece together how to interview people myself.

Any advice on this would be great.

No drama please...not everyone has the luxury of having close friends or family around to babysit. THanks  

<blockquote><b>Quoting Peyton'sMomma:</b>" Okay, so I am going to be setting up a few interviews for potential babysitters and I have no idea where ... [snip!] ... would be great. No drama please...not everyone has the luxury of having close friends or family around to babysit. THanks  "</blockquote>



Haha I have no idea but I love the last part of ur post

I would ask:
If they would authorize a background check
What their feelings are about Nanny cam's
If their schedule is flexible (overtime/holidays)
Reliable transportation
Past babysitter experience.

Just a few off the top of my head.

I would give them certain scenario questions and ask how they would respond.
I would also ask for first aid/cpr certification possibly.
Why they are interested in child care/babysitting
What kind of experience they have

Just things like that.

do you like children? what do you like about them?
what is your favorite activity while babysitting?
what's your favorite age?
have you ever had an emergency with a child? how did you handle it?
have you ever lost patience? what did you do?

Ah you all are awesome. Thank you! Some of those questions I had but I like the idea about scenarios.

Quoting i LOVE my meatballs:" <blockquote><b>Quoting Peyton'sMomma:</b>" Okay, so I am going to be setting up a few ... [snip!] ... friends or family around to babysit. THanks  "</blockquote> Haha I have no idea but I love the last part of ur post"

Lol I had to put that. I hate when people say things like "OMG I would never trust my child with someone I didnt know"

Trust me, if I had other options, I wouldnt be resorting to a babysitting website.

We've used about a dozen people we met off of sittercity. We called references and they had to be cpr/first aid certified and a certified background check.
we asked:
-their experience
-described our child (we haven't used it since our second was born) and asked questions about how they feel about things pertaining to her age group.
-asked their availibility and whether they had a time they needed us to be home by.
-confirmed that the set price for services were ok.
-asked if they had any questions.

<blockquote><b>Quoting Peyton'sMomma:</b>" Lol I had to put that. I hate when people say things like "OMG I would never trust my child with someone ... [snip!] ... trust my child with someone I didnt know" Trust me, if I had other options, I wouldnt be resorting to a babysitting website."</blockquote>




Oh I agree I have very little family and not 3 friends max (good ones) its not like I would have a list of ppl to pick from ya kno lol

By they way, we never have had a bad experience from sittercity. It was a godsend for us for a long time.

Quoting pilot Jess:" By they way, we never have had a bad experience from sittercity. It was a godsend for us for a long time."

thank you! that makes me feel a lot better now. I mean, I have found about 10 jobs on sittercity and I have loved each and every one of the kids I have babysat or nannied for so its just very different being on the other side. I really want to find a couple reliable and trustworthy and child loving women! Fingers crossed!!

<blockquote><b>Quoting Peyton'sMomma:</b>" thank you! that makes me feel a lot better now. I mean, I have found about 10 jobs on sittercity and ... [snip!] ... being on the other side. I really want to find a couple reliable and trustworthy and child loving women! Fingers crossed!!"</blockquote>



Its a great resource! We found several that we had on regular rotation. Even if it was last minute, we could always find someone.

Quoting We made a BabyBumpBelly:" I would ask: If they would authorize a background check What their feelings are about Nanny cam's If ... [snip!] ... is flexible (overtime/holidays) Reliable transportation Past babysitter experience. Just a few off the top of my head."

I love the nanny cam situation! because even if you don't have one its a great question to see their reaction.. if they do not appreciate it then you know they aren't the babysitter and then dont tell them you don't have one because they will think everything could be a cam and hopefully turn into a great sitter for you and the kiddies  

Aside from general questions, consider asking questions related to toddler's.
For example: How would she deal with certain scenarios? What about injuries? Crying? Temper tantrums? Ect?
How does she discipline children? Time-outs? Taking toys or tv away?
Does she have any certifications? CPR, Nursing, first-aid?
Does she have her own vehicle?
Is she open to play dates?

There's a whole slew of potential questions to ask! It really just depends on what you're most concerned with.
For more questions read this post: Nanny Interview Questions For All Ages/
(these questions can be used for both nannies and/or babysitters)