Preparing to be a Babysitter
Is it okay to turn down a babysitting gig if you don't feel comfortable?
Yes- you should only take on the job if you feel comfortable!
Should you microwave breast milk?
No! It can spoil the milk!
What should you do before handling any hazardous situation?
Pause for a moment before approaching to help:
Make sure it’s safe before getting closer
Look for hazards
Consider hidden dangers
What should you tell a parent at the end of your babysitting "shift?"
What and when the children ate
How many diapers you changed
What time the children went to sleep and for how long
What games or activities the children particularly enjoyed
Cooperative behavior or behavior challenges
Any hazards you noticed and avoided
What is the best way to start your babysitting business?
Babysitting close family friends and neighbors and asking them to recommend you to their friends and neighbors
If you are going to put a child in time out, what is an appropriate amount of time?
1 minute per their age
Should you call 911 or the child's parents first in a hazardous situation?
911! They will be able to help you make the situation less hazardous over the phone and dispatch safety officials to the scene which is most important!
What is the ratio of chest compressions to rescue breaths in CPR?
30/2- 30 chest compressions to 2 rescue breaths
Should you provide the families you are working for with your phone number or email?
Yes-- that way you can contact each other about the job
How do you deal with hazards?
Eliminate, isolate and avoid
What is poison controls phone number?
1-800-222-1222
How many chest compressions should you achieve in a minute?
On average you should be compressing the chest 120 times a minute.
What should you ask parents about their children?
Children’s favorite games or activities
Expectations for meals/snacks
Children’s bathroom habits or
diapering needs
Discipline, time outs, or how to manage challenging behavior
Routine for naps/bedtime
Rules around screen time, TV,
and devices
Pets and their care
How should you supervise children?
Stay in the same room as children!
Tell any child in your care if you need to use the restroom
or help a sibling to do so
Place an infant or toddler in a crib or playpen
Bring baby with you if need be, lay on
a clean towel on the floor
Never leave a baby or
toddler unattended on a
high chair, couch, or
changing table
Never leave a child
alone outside or on
another floor of the
home
When dealing with a hazardous situation what is your highest priority?
The highest priority is your
safety and that of others who
are not affected by the problem
What activities can you do with an infant?
Peek-a-Boo
Patty Cake
Board books
Rattles, crinkly baby paper
Teething toys
Baby gym or “tummy time”
Don’t give a baby or toddler small toys or anything with parts that could be bitten or pulled off. Those could be a choking hazard.
Always supervise a baby on the floor
Pay attention to baby’s cues that she is ready for a different activity
What should you ask during the walk through?
Where to find essential things
How to call for help
Ways to get out of the house in an emergency
A meeting place outside
the house
A neighbor they trust
(if applicable)
Off-limits areas, childproofing
Hazards that can’t be moved
What are hazards that you might experience outside?
traffic, animals, standing water, stinging insects, plants that could be poisonous when ingested, etc.
When calling 911 what is the most important thing you will need to know to be able to tell the dispatcher?
The address of the emergency
If you need to - appropriately- touch a child what should you do?
Explain to them what you are doing, maybe even count down to your action, and gently touch them or move them.