Babysitters - A Parent's Guide To Kidnap Prevention - Children - http://maxpages.com/firstdefense/Information_About

(Copyright 1999)
Bellman Communications
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IF YOU NEED A BABYSITTER:

Parents need to get out of the house once in a while. Whether it's a trip to the grocery store, an evening at the theatre, or a night at the movies, there is one thing that you can be certain of. You want the best and safest possible care available for your children in your absence.

There are certain elements of hiring someone to take care of your children that you are not willing to compromise on. They must have the following minumum traits:

- Experience
- Certain amount of maturity
- Cares about the welfare of your children
- Knows what to do in an emergency
- Is reliable

Check all references furnished to you and make sure to observe how the babysitter interacts with your children. It is a good idea to simply ask your children whether they trust the babysitter, like the baby sitter, and feel comfortable with this individual. Also, ask your child what kind of activities they engage in while they are with a babysitter.

FINDING A BABYSITTER:

According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the best source of child care information are the recommendations of family members, friends and neighbors. you might also advertise for a babysitter through your local high school or college, newspaper, church or civic organization.

Should you be new to an area, it's a good idea to check the yellow pages or telephone book under "Sitting Services" for a comprehensive list of child care services. Some services advertise their sitters as "bonded." "Bonded", in this case, means that the babysitting service has purchased an insurance bond that will cover certain damages or losses of your personal property. A bond, unfortunately, will not likely protect your child. What is important is this: Has the babysitting service made a check of the criminal history of it's umployees? Have their employees been screened in any other way? Remember, you are putting your faith and trust in these people and their ability to choose a stable and suitable babysitter for your children.

HIRING THE BABYSITTER:

ALWAYS carefully check the references of any possible babysitter you're considering. When you are checking the babysitter's references, consider the following:

1. Past employers
2. Councelors
3. Teachers
4. Friends
5. Relatives
6. Neighbors

When questioning these individuals, ask them directly about the potential babysitter's qualifications for child care.
Look for mature and responsible people who show an interest in listening and responding well with your children. They should appear relaxed, confident and happy with your children. Observe their interaction with your children.

Make a detailed outline of the babysitter's duties and responsiblities. Discuss imaginary emergency situations and evaluate how the babysitter might react to it. Remember, in your absence, your children are in their capable hands! When you finally make your decision on the babysitter to hire, it is always best to discuss up front the hours needed and fees for survice so that there isn't a misunderstanding later down the road. Record the following information about your new babysitter:

1. Complete name
2. Home address
3. Telephone number
4. Pager number (if available)
5. Cellular phone number (if available)
6. Driver's license (if available)

WHEN YOUR BABYSITTER ARRIVES:

It's a good idea to ask your babysitter to arrive at least 15 minutes before your departure. It is important to ALWAYS let the babysitter know where you will be and how you can be reached. This, as well as other important information, might include the following:

- Address of where you are going
- Phone number of where you are going
- Your pager number
- Your cellular phone number
- A relative's telephone number
- A neighbor's telephone number
- Medications your children take
- Doctor's name and telephone number
- Poison control center
- Police department
- Fire department
- Ambulance service

Review the family rules with the babysitter, paying special attention to eating and sleeping arrangements. Take the babysitter on a tour of your home, showing him or her all the doors and exits and where the first aid equipment is stored.

In order to eliminate misunderstandings and unwelcome aggrevation, is is a good idea to discuss the family rules and regulations regarding snacking, television, radio privledges and bedtimes with the babysitter and your children present. It is your responsibility, as the parent, to let your children know what the rules are to be obeyed when you are not home.

BABYSITTER'S SHOULD BE GIVEN THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS:

The following specific instructions for babysitters have been developed by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children:

- Lock all doors when parents leave.

- The children should be watched carefully while they are awake and kept away from dangerous objects or chemicals and protected from householf accidents.

- The babysitter should not be permitted visitors or guests, nor should the babysitter leave the children alone in the house at any time. When the children go to sleep, they should be checked regularly. The babysitter should stay awake during his or her stay in the house.

- If the telephone rings, do not tell the caller that the children are alone with a babysitter. Ask the caller to leave a message for the parents.

- Do not open the door to anyone unless the parents have given prior permission. Ask to take a message.

- If the children are taken outside to the yard, they must be watched carefully. It is the parents' responsibility to let the babysitter know whom the children may play with or visit.

- If the children are with the babysitter in a public place, they must be watched carefully and not permitted to wander. Avoid sending the children to public restrooms alone.

- Make sure that you lock all windows and doors before you leave. If something seems suspicious when you return (such as a broken window or door), immediately call the police from another location.

RETURNING HOME:

When you return, ask the babysitter the following:

- Are the children safe?
- Did anything unusual happen?
- Did you receive any telephone calls?
- Did you receive any visitors?

Make sure that the babysitter is escorted home and wait until he or she is safely inside before you leave.

After the babysitter has left, have a discussion with your children about what transpired while you were gone. Ask them what kind of games they played, what they did while you were out, and if anything happened that made them feel uncomfortable.

PEACE OF MIND:

These guidelines and suggestions are here to inform you and to give you peace of mind that you, as a parent, are doing everything possible to keep your children and loved ones safe in your absence.

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Page Updated Fri Dec 26, 2003 12:46am EST