1. Tell me why do you want to be a babysitter?
I love children and already have experience in child care. During my experience, I noticed that children love me too and that's the most important reason I want be a babysitter. My compassionate nature and friendly personality makes me get along with them in no time. I am able to keep children happy and this quality makes me happy too. I enjoy developing kids, both emotionally and physically, which is the main reason why I want this job. It's fun to manage and grow-up children.
2. Tell me what qualifies you as a babysitter?
I am punctual, energetic and dependable. I am CPR and first aid certified and possess a valid driver's license with a clean driving record. I understand children's varying developmental needs.
3. Tell me how many years of experience and what kind of babysitting skills do you possess?
I have more than 3 years of hands-on experience in babysitting; being caring for children since I was in my early teens. Once my neighbors asked me to look after their children when they were at a party, there I found my potential of looking after children's needs. Moreover, I have a younger brother that I have taken care of since he was an infant.
4. Explain typical duties of a babysitter?
A babysitter is responsible for children's safety and wellbeing, feeding the kids, cooking meals for them, responding to their needs, maintaining the house in a neat and clean condition, grooming the children, accompanying them to the park, helping with homework and teaching them to become independent, responsible citizens.
5. Suppose two children of different ages at the same time how do you manage?
Children at different developmental stages have varied needs. I am well versed in managing their cognitive, physical and psychosocial demands and devising age specific complementing activities. Paying equal amount of attention to both children is the key. I also divide up the time strategically so that one of the two is on an independent task at all times.
Cooking has always been my passion so I'd say a ten on ten. I am expert in preparing appetizing, appealing and highly nutritious meals for children. I observe their preferences first, then decide what they would like which is why they always love the food I cook for them.
7. Name some activities for children that they want to do on rainy days?
Arts and craft, hide and seek, word games and puzzle making.
8. Tell me how you handle children when they miss their parents?
As a babysitter being in the role of substitute mother, when I feel the child is missing the parents I instantly devise and initiate an activity of the child's interest to distract him/her and also check if there is an underlying need or problem which is causing the child to miss the parents too much and usually resolve the issue.
9. Tell me if you ever dealt with two fighting toddlers? Explain the experience?
Yes, once I had to accompany a child on a birthday party over there he had a fight with a same aged fellow over some candy. I handled the situation tactfully by reinforcing the concept of sharing is caring and both of them cooled down in no time.
10. Tell me are you comfortable with light housekeeping duties?
Definitely, it's a part of any baby sitter's job. I can do laundry, run errands, do grocery and maintain the house in a neat and clean order.
11. Tell me what ages of children are you most and least comfortable with?
I have no favorites. I absolutely enjoy caring for and am comfortable with children of all ages.
12. Tell me what is the longest period of time that you have been employed and why did you leave?
I had been working for the Mr. Smith's children for 2 years. I left because the family moved to Sweden.
13. Tell me what age group of children have you had the experience of babysitting?
From new born babies to the age of 11.
14. Explain your level of interaction with children?
I am friendly with kids. I understand the use of positive and polite language in front of kids for their psychological development. I know when a child needs special attention. I can make crying kids laugh in a minute. I believe in spending time with kids in a productive way by engaging them in activities which involve learning and development of mind as well as healthy growth.
15. How would you handle a particularly naughty little boy?
Children generally need attention when they are being naughty and the best thing to do would be to give it to them. Show interest in what they are doing. If they are doing something they shouldn't be doing, I usually just direct their attention somewhere else. What always works is, "Hey let's go check out that ice cream tub in the freezer!" or "Hey is that a plane I see?" I handle all children employing the art of diverting whether they are naught or not.
16. Explain toileting assistance that you provide to younger kids and infants?
I am efficient at changing diaper for infants and assisting in toileting needs of elder kids which also involves giving them toilet training. I have been assisting kids in showers and teaching them the importance of keeping oneself clean and tidy. I am very good at giving tub and sink baths to infants and toddlers as well.
Yes, several times. Not only birthday parties but also family dinners, Halloween parties, fun fares, Easter eves, etc.
18. Tell me are you trained in CPR and first aid?
I am CPR and First Aid Certified. In fact these are the first things that I learnt when I decided to choose babysitting as a career as one never knows what kind of situation one might find oneself in.
19. Explain any instance when you provided medical help to the children you were babysitting?
There was a 6 years' old boy under my supervision who had asthma. I always made sure that his medicines and inhalers were accessible at all times. Whenever he used to have an attack, I helped him with inhaling and the medication to make him feel better. In addition, I kept the environment clean and free of any material that can cause his disease to aggravate. On the general note, I keep the place free from harmful and filthy items to avoid any mishaps.
20. What pops into your head when you hear the words of family members and some other thing?
► Mother: Love
► Bedroom: Organized
► Babysitting: Fun, passion and duty together
► Diapers: Should be changed on time
► Bedtime: Stories
► A crying baby: needs care and love
► Fever: thermometer
► Emergency: don't panic
► Food: nutritious
21. Do you have any references to whom I can contact?
Of course! I have provided the detail of two families that I have worked with on the bottom of my resume. They will all be happy to recommend me and answer any questions that you may have.
22. Explain responsibilities does a babysitter have?
Babysitting responsibilities can include:
► Cooking/feeding
► Light housekeeping
► Laundry
► Changing diapers
► Preparing bottles
► Transportation (bringing the kids to soccer practice, picking them up from school, etc.)
► Helping with homework
► Making snacks
► Getting the kids ready for bed
► Playtime/lessons (reading to them, doing crafts, etc.)
23. Can you please explain the difference between babysitter and a nanny?
► Generally, babysitters care for children of any age who are in need of supervision for a few short hours. Most sitters will work either by specific occasion or on a regular schedule (after-school babysitters, date night babysitters and weekend babysitters are common). Their main tasks are watching the kids, playing with them and maybe putting them to bed. Many babysitters are trained in basic skills like CPR and first aid. They usually work for hourly rates, but may be paid extra if they agree to handle additional services such as cooking, tutoring and light housekeeping. It's important to discuss expectations for the job during the interview process.
► A nanny is someone who is fully invested in a child's development and well-being. Generally, a nanny will care for children full-time while both parents work. It's a nanny's responsibility to create daily schedules and engage in activities to ensure healthy mental, physical and emotional growth in the children they care for. Most nannies will be tasked with preparing meals, helping with household work (dishes, laundry, etc.), driving the children to and from activities and assisting with homework.
Babysitting is temporarily caring for a child. Babysitting is commonly performed as a job by all ages.
25. What is Authoritative in Babysitters?
Babysitting isn't all fun and games. If the parents have left specific instructions (no TV, brush teeth before bed, eat five bites of vegetables before being excused from the table), it is a babysitter's job to enforce these rules.
