How to Create a Babysitter Information Book

When getting ready to leave your child with a sitter or family member, you may not have thought of everything that person needs to know. Having a binder with all the essential details about your child and helpful information your caregiver may need will give you both peace of mind.

By Pamela Diamond

Parenting

Share:

During a visit with one of my clients, I stayed home with her baby while she went to get a haircut. I like giving my clients time for themselves and even perhaps a little pampering. I have her and her spouse’s cell phone numbers, but I got to thinking while she was gone about what information parents should leave their sitter. Leaving good instructions for the person in charge when you’re not home makes good sense.

Rather than posting the information on a sticky note each time you head out the door, put a little effort in up front, and it will last you for years. Consider using a small binder (1/2 to 1 inch) with extra paper in it behind your details. That way, the sitter can leave notes for you, like how much the baby ate, diapers, phone calls, etc. I like to leave feel-good information, too, like how awesome the baby did with tummy time.

What I’m suggesting is a lot, but it will be appreciated by both first-time sitters for your children and close family members alike. And it will give you peace of mind knowing you’ve been thorough.

Here’s what to include in your babysitter information notebook:

General Details

Names of all family members

Address and telephone numbers, including cell phone numbers

Names and contact details of other family members, such as grandparents or a close neighbor who is on your emergency call list

Medical Details

Allergies suffered by the children, including food allergies

Medications required while you are out, including incidental ones such as for asthma or teething

Where To Find:

Spare house key

Spare car keys

First aid kit and medicines required

Flashlights in the event of a power failure

When You Should Be Contacted

If a child is inconsolable and the babysitter has tried unsuccessfully to remedy the situation

If a child has developed an illness such as vomiting or fever

If anyone is injured and more than a simple bandage is required

Any time it seems there has been a breach of security in the home, such as phone calls where no one answers, suspicious visitors, etc.

Emergency Contact Numbers

Poison Control Center

Police

Fire

Ambulance

Hospital

Family doctor

Neighbor assigned to help in emergencies

Fire Procedures:

Rule number 1: Everybody out!

Provide a map showing the most logical exits

Detail locations of fire extinguisher/s and blanket/s

Outline any other pertinent details

House Rules:

Bedtimes

Television programs that are off limits

Rooms that are out of bounds

Foods that are allowed or not

Where You Will Be:

Details of locations where you will be while out

Phone numbers where you can be reached

What time you expect to be home

When you expect to call in to check on everyone

 

Do you have other suggestions of things that should be included in the notebook?

 

like & follow

This error message is only visible to WordPress admins
Error: Connected account for the user allaboutthemom does not have permission to use this feed type.