Parents or babysitting agencies are very cautious when they hire a babysitter or a nanny. It is an obvious fact because it is their child’s safety and development that comes first.
A majority of parents or employers, despite wanting to, cannot ask effective questions to a babysitter during an interview.
On the other hand, many babysitting applicants do not know what to expect in an interview and how to answer babysitting interview questions.
Take a look at the following sample questions (and answers you would like to hear) and see how they can help you interview a babysitter.
Potential babysitters may use these sample questions and answers to prepare for an interview.
Babysitter Interview Questions and Answers
1. Why do you want to be a babysitter?
I love children, and my compassionate nature and friendly personality make me get along with them in no time. I can keep children happy, and this quality makes me happy too.
In fact, I enjoy developing kids emotionally, socially, and physically, which is the main reason why I want this job. It is my passion to nurture children.
2. What qualifies you as a babysitter?
OR
Why Should I hire you for babysitting?
I am a punctual, energetic, and dependable person. Also, I am CPR, and First Aid certified and possess a current driver’s license with a clean driving record. Over and above, I understand children’s varying developmental needs.
3. How many years of experience and what kind of babysitting skills do you possess?
I have more than three years of hands-on experience in babysitting with different families and agencies. Since I was in my early teens, I provided care to children and babies I know the functions of this job very well. Once my neighbors asked me to look after their children when they were at a party, and there I found my potential of looking after children’s needs. Moreover, I have a younger brother whom I have been taking care of since he was an infant.
4. What, in your opinion, are the typical duties of a babysitter?
A babysitter is responsible for children’s safety and wellbeing, bottle-feeding infants, 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 and parties, helping with homework, and teaching them to become independent, responsible citizens.
5. How do you manage two children of different ages at the same time?
Children at different developmental stages have varied needs. I am well versed in managing their cognitive, physical, and psycho-social demands and devising age-specific complementing activities. Paying an 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.
6. How do you rate your cooking skills?
Cooking has always been my passion, so I’d say a ten out of ten. I am an expert in cooking and serving delicious 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 to do on snow or rainy days?
Arts and crafts, hide and seek, word games, and puzzle making.
8. How do you handle children when they miss their parents?
When I feel a child is missing his/her parents, I instantly devise and initiate the activity of the child’s interest to distract him/her. I 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. Have you ever dealt with two fighting toddlers? Share your experience.
Yes, once I accompanied a child to a birthday party. Over there he indulged in a fight with his aged fellow over some candy. I handled the situation tactfully by reinforcing the concept of sharing is caring and both of them calmed down in very little time.
10. Are you comfortable with light housekeeping duties?
Definitely. In many instances, it is part of a babysitter’s job. I can do laundry, run errands, do groceries, and maintain the house in neat and clean order.
11. 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. What is the most prolonged period that you have been employed, and why did you leave?
I had been working for Mr. Smith’s children for two years. I left because the family moved to Sweden.
13. What age group of children have you had the experience of babysitting?
I have hands-on experience working with infants to children of age 11.
14. Describe 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.
Moreover, 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 that involve learning and development of the mind as well as healthy growth.
15. How would you handle a particularly naughty little boy? What is your approach to discipline?
Children generally need attention when they are 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. What toileting assistance can you provide to younger kids and infants?
I am efficient at changing diapers for infants and assisting in the toileting needs of elder kids, which also involves giving them toilet training. I am also able to support kids in taking a shower and teaching them the importance of keeping themselves clean and tidy.
Moreover, I am very good at giving tub and sink baths to infants and toddlers as well.
17. Have you planned, assisted, or hosted any family event like a birthday party?
Yes, several times. Not only birthday parties but also family dinners, Halloween parties, fun fares, and Easter eves.
18. Are you trained in CPR and first aid?
I am CPR and First Aid Certified. In fact, these are the first things that I learned when I decided to choose to babysit as a career as one never knows what kind of situation one might find oneself in.
19. Tell us about any instance when you provided medical assistance to the children you were babysitting?
There was a 6-year-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.
Also, I kept the environment clean and free of any material that can cause his disease to aggravate. On a general note, I keep the place free from harmful and filthy items to avoid any mishaps.
20. Let us have a rapid-fire session. Tell me what pops into your head when you hear the words I say:
a. Mother: Love
b. Bedroom: Organized
c. Babysitting: Fun, passion, friendliness, and duty together
d. Diapers: Should be changed on time
e. Bedtime: Stories
f. A crying baby: Needs care and love
g. Fever: Thermometer
h. Emergency: Don’t panic
i. Food: Nutritious and hygienic
21. Do you have references that I can contact?
Of course! I have provided the detail of two families, that I have worked with, at the bottom of my resume. They will all be happy to recommend me and answer any questions that you may have.