Babysitting Basics

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Babysitting Basics
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Babysitting Basics

• How do you think parents of the children
• you care for define
• the word babysitter?
• Safety is a large concern for parents.

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Safety for Infants

• Do not leave an infant in a chair or changing
• table unattended.
• Support the infants head.
• Keep small things that can be swallowed easily
• away from the infant.
• Do not leave an infant unattended in the bathtub.
• Make sure their face is free of covers, clothing,
  or anything that may interfere with their
  breathing.

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Safety for Toddlers

• Toddlers have no understanding of danger. They
  need to be watched constantly, unless they are in
  a secure area.
• Toddlers can pull things down on top of them
  easily. Make sure that all objects are far from
  the edge of tables or counters.
• Make sure cleaners are in cabinets that are
  locked or out of reach from children.
• Keep toddlers from walking up and down stairs
  unless you are with them.
• Make sure there are safety plugs in outlets or
  move furniture in from of the outlets.

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Safety for Preschoolers and Up

• Hold hands when crossing streets.
• Establish rules so they know their limits.
• Supervise outside play
• and water play.
• Never permit play with sharp objects darts,
  knives, pointed sticks, or scissors.
• Discuss Safety with the child.

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Safety Fact

• Look through the home to see if there are any
  dangerous things that you should keep the child
  away from (fireplace, stairway, etc.)

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Babysitting BusinessAhead of Time

• Agree on a rate of pay.
• Verify the rules of the house television,
  mealtime, bathtime, bedtime, and special
  privileges
• Pack toys or items suitable for the age of the
  children you will be watching.
• Agree on transportation.
• Visit the house and meet the children.

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Babysitting BusinessWhen You Arrive

• Be sure you know where the parents are going,
  when they will be back, and how you can reach
  them.
• Have an emergency list of phone numbers handy
  (also add a neighbor or close relatives number
  to the list)
• Ask questions about bedtime, snacks, etc.

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Babysitting BusinessOn the Job

• Play and care for the children.
• Lock the doors once parents leave.
• Do not open doors for strangers.
• Dress neatly and be clean.
• Tidy up around the house as children are done
  playing.
• Follow instructions set by parents.

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In case of illness or an accident call the
parents, most parents will call to check in and
will want to know what is going on.
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Babysitting BusinessWhen Parents Return

• Tell parents about unusual behaviors, falls,
  cuts, bumps, or bruises. (Honesty is the best
  policy)
• Be sure that you are appropriately paid for the
  services.
• Express your interest in babysitting again if you
  would like to.

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Babysitting BusinessNever, Never Do

• Raid the refrigerator.
• Snoop around in drawers, closets, or medicine
  cabinets.
• Yell at children for misbehaving.
• Talk on the phone all night with your best
  friend.
• Invite people to stop in while
• your babysitting.
• Spank a child.

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Babysitting BusinessOnly with Parents Permission

• Answer the phone and take messages.
• Allow visitors over.
• Take the children anywhere park, movies, etc.

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How do you handle this problem?

• The parents have arrived home late and theyve
  been drinking a great deal.

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How do you handle this problem?

• While you are babysitting, you notice a shadow of
  a person outside the window.

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How do you handle this problem?

• The child refuses to cooperate with you. You
  refused to give him a snack now and the child
  said that he would tell his parents and that they
  would never ask you back again.

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How do you handle this problem?

• While you are changing the babys diaper, the
  older sister gets into a cleaning product that
  you think may be poisonous.

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How do you handle this problem?

• While you are eating dinner, the little boy
  begins choking and cannot seem to catch his
  breath.

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How do you handle this problem?

• You have to cancel babysitting because of a
  family emergency.

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How can we safety-proof our homes?
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• Gates at the top and bottom of stairways
• Rubber coated coverings for sharp corners
• Plastic plugs for electrical outlets

• Cabinet locks
• Test any small objects laying out in childs
  reach with the no-choke testing tube or a
  toilet paper insert cardboard roll
• (Discuss other options)

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Making Use of Items Laying Around The House

• Balloons
• Left over fabric
• Magnets
• Clothespins
• Old magazines
• Books
• Milk and egg cartons
• String