Child safety with babysitting

Deciding to leave your beloved child home with a nanny or babysitter for the first time can definitely be an overwhelming experience. Whether you’re leaving for a quick dinner or a routine work shift, you may continue to wonder what your loved one is up to while you are away. So how can you ease your mind and make sure that your child is safe and comfortable with their babysitter?

First things first, do your research while selecting your preferred babysitter. If the babysitter is between 11 to 16 years old, make sure they have their Canadian Red Cross Babysitting Certification with a babysitting course. Having this certification means that babysitting has been trained by getting a babysitter course on how to adequately care for a young child or baby and what to do in case of an emergency. It also means that the babysitter has been trained on First Aid and CPR essentials that could be super useful in a lifesaving situation. If your babysitter is over the age of 16, it would be helpful if they had their Standard First Aid and CPR certification or their Emergency First Aid and CPR training certification. Again, this would put your mind at ease that the nanny or sitter has adequate knowledge on how to help your child should there be any medical emergencies or accidents.

Now that you’ve selected a babysitter you are comfortable with; make sure to provide them with all the essential information they may need in order to take care of your child. One tip is to create a little notebook with all the information that you can have the babysitter keep while they are on duty. Now you may be wondering – what kind of information should I add to this notebook? Well, start off with the basics. Make sure you have your mobile phone number so that the sitter or your child can reach you if they have any questions. Also include emergency contact information with a full address. This can be used in case of emergencies and in case you cannot be reached. Next, you will want to include any important information pertaining to keeping your child happy while you are away, such as their routine, their favorite snacks, and their bedtime. You should also mention any allergies your child might have as well as a copy of their health card.

Lastly, make your babysitter comfortable with the environment by showing them around your house and informing them of any house rules you may have and what your expectations are. Communication is key to any relationship, including the one you have with your nanny or babysitter. This also helps build trust and allows for a peaceful transition when you return to work or must leave your children’s home under someone else’s care. It can certainly be an anxious transition for some; however, by following these tips you can assure that your child is just as happy and safe with your sitter as they are with you!

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