Leaving your child with someone else is one of the biggest acts of trust there is. Whether you need a sitter for a Saturday date night or a nanny for full-time care, you want someone who is safe, kind, reliable, and a good match for your family. It’s normal to feel anxious about this search. It deserves care.
Here is a practical, step-by-step guide to finding a babysitter or nanny you can feel good about. (General information only. Employment, tax, and childcare regulations vary by location; check local requirements.)
Babysitter or nanny?
The terms overlap, but they usually mean different things.
- Babysitters typically provide occasional or part-time care, such as evenings, weekends, or a few hours here and there.
- Nannies usually provide regular, often full-time or part-time care on a set schedule, and may take on more responsibilities, such as meal prep, transportation, and activities.
- Other options: au pairs, mother’s helpers, family childcare, daycare centers, and shared nannies between families.
If a caregiver will work regularly in your home, you may be an employer, with obligations that can include payroll taxes and other requirements. Ask a tax professional or payroll service about what applies to you.
Step 1: Define what you need
Write down:
- Schedule: days, hours, and flexibility
- Children: ages, personalities, health needs, allergies, routines
- Duties: playtime, homework help, meals, bath and bedtime, driving, light housekeeping
- Qualities you value: warm, energetic, calm, structured, bilingual, or experienced with infants or special needs
- Practical details: location, transportation, pets in the home, and household rules
- Budget: hourly rate or salary range
A clear list makes your search easier and helps candidates understand the job.
Step 2: Start with people you trust
For child care, personal recommendations are the best place to begin.
- Friends, family, and neighbors with kids
- Parents at your child’s school or activities
- Other caregivers or the families they’ve worked with
- Friends of friends in your community, where a second-degree connection often means you can ask real questions
Ask: How long has the sitter worked with you? How do your children respond to them? Are they on time and communicative? How do they handle challenges? Would you trust them with your kids again? Why is the position opening, and can you speak to the family directly?
Local parent groups, community centers, and child care agencies can also be sources, but treat those leads with extra verification.
Step 3: Screen and interview
An interview is more than a formality.
Start with a phone call, then meet in person, ideally with your child present for at least part of it. Notice how the candidate interacts with your child.
Ask about:
- Experience: ages they’ve cared for, how long, and in what settings
- Training: infant and child CPR and first aid certification, and any relevant coursework or experience
- Approach: how they handle tantrums, sibling conflicts, bedtime, screen time, and discipline
- Emergencies: what they’d do in a medical emergency, a lockout, or a power outage
- Communication: how they’ll keep you updated
- Availability and reliability: what happens if they’re sick or have a conflict
- Boundaries: phone use, guests, social media, and driving the kids
Use scenario questions: “What would you do if my toddler wouldn’t stop crying?” “What would you do if my child fell and hit their head?” Listen for calm, thoughtful answers.
Step 4: Check references and background
Take these steps seriously.
- Call references. Speak to at least two or three previous families if possible. Ask about reliability, safety, communication, and why the job ended.
- Verify identity. Ask for government ID.
- Background checks. Many families use professional background check services, with the candidate’s consent. Rules about what you can check and how vary by location, so use a reputable provider and follow applicable laws.
- Driving record and insurance, if the sitter will drive your children
- CPR/first aid certification, and confirm it’s current
Trust your gut as well. If something feels off, keep looking.
Step 5: Do a paid trial
A trial run is a smart way to see how things go.
- Start with a short shift while you’re home or nearby
- Observe how the sitter interacts with your children
- Ask your kids how it went, in an age-appropriate way
- Check in afterward about what went well and what needs adjusting
- Consider a trial period for a nanny, such as a week or two
Set clear expectations
Write down the details, ideally in a simple work agreement for a nanny.
- Schedule and hours, including overtime and holidays
- Pay rate, pay schedule, and any tax arrangements
- Duties and house rules
- Emergency contacts, doctor information, allergies, and medications
- Policies on phones, screens, guests, driving, and food
- Privacy: if you use cameras in the home, be transparent and follow local laws
- Communication: how and when to update you
- Time off and sick policies
- Notice of termination
Leave a note with key information: parent phone numbers, a trusted neighbor, address, and poison control or emergency numbers.
Safety essentials
- Make sure your home is childproofed for the ages involved
- Tell the sitter about allergies and medical needs, and show them where medications and first aid supplies are kept
- Review emergency procedures
- Check in during the first few shifts
- Encourage your children to tell you if something bothers them, and listen to what they say
Red flags
- Reluctance to provide references or inconsistent stories
- Unwillingness to do a background check
- Poor boundaries or oversharing
- Lack of attention to your child during the interview
- Pressure for cash payments with no agreement
- Dismissive attitude toward safety rules
- Frequent cancellations or lateness
- A child who seems fearful or upset around the caregiver
Take any concern seriously, and if you ever suspect a child is in danger, contact the appropriate authorities.
How MY PRO: TRUSTED PROS® can help
Caregivers are one of the highest-trust services there is, which is why a recommendation from someone you know, or someone they know, matters. MY PRO: TRUSTED PROS® is a social & professional networking app where you connect with service pros through the people in your own network, with visibility up to second-degree connections. You can browse a feed, like and comment, and message pros. Pros build visibility through real client relationships. As always, check references and backgrounds yourself.
FAQ
How do I find a trustworthy babysitter?
Start with recommendations from parents you trust, interview candidates, check references, and consider a background check and a paid trial.
What should I ask in a nanny interview?
Ask about experience, training, approach to discipline and safety, emergencies, schedule, and communication. Include scenario questions.
Do I need a background check?
Many families choose to run one with the candidate’s consent. Follow local rules and use a reputable service.
What is a fair rate for a babysitter?
Rates vary widely by location, experience, number of children, and duties. Ask other local parents, and discuss rates upfront.
Do I have to pay taxes for a nanny?
In many places, household employers have tax obligations. Check with a tax professional or payroll service about your situation.
Find a caregiver your network already trusts
Download MY PRO: TRUSTED PROS® on the App Store and Google Play, and see the pros your network already trusts. Learn more at my-pro.io or email hello@my-pro.io.