C&

YP

Info

rmatio

n S

ervic

eWhat do they provide?Babysitters usually care for the children in the evening,sometimes getting the childrenready for bed, reading themstories and generally making sure the children are safe until you return. Sometimesbabysitters care for children atweekends during the day andthey are expected to play withthe children and keep them safe, amused and happy.

Ages catered forBabysitters care for all agegroups of children.

RegistrationBabysitters do not have to beregistered with OFSTED, however,if they are with an agency theyhave usually undergone sometype of checks, includingreferences and police checks.

Staffing/QualificationsMost babysitters have no formaltraining unless they are from anagency, in which case they mayhave some childcare training or qualification.

CostThere is no set rate of pay forbabysitters, so you will have toagree a rate with the babysittersthemselves. However, it is usualto pay more after midnight andon Bank Holidays. A babysitter from an agency will have a set payment rate.

Your ResponsibilitiesAlthough there is no legal age for babysitters, it is the responsibility of theparents/carers to ensure that a mature responsible personcares for their children. TheNSPCC recommends that ababysitter should be over theage of 16 years. Make sure that they have safe transporthome. If you choose to use ababysitter under the age of 16 in your home, then you areresponsible for them as well as your own children.

Issues to ConsiderAllow the children and babysitter to spend some timetogether with you present, either at a meeting before the first care session or ask the sitter to arrive about half anhour before you go out. It would be very frightening for a child to wake up and find a stranger in the house.

If a prospective sitter is not known to you, be sure to follow up references.

Give the sitter a contact number for you when you are out, and the number of a local neighbour, relative or friend who would be able to help in an emergency.

Make sure they know the address of your house and the location of the telephone in case of emergency.

Check whether the sitter has any first aid training or has completed a babysitting course (often held at local libraries). It would be wise for them to take anappropriate course if they are likely to babysit regularly.

Familiarise them with the house and the location of all the baby/child essentials.

Show them all the exits to the house along with relevant keys, including keys for window locks.

Make sure the sitter is aware of your child's likes, dislikes, routine and rules.

Don't take advantage of a sitter by expecting them to cope with an already sick child.

Always make your house rules clear. Let them know whether you are happy for them to play music, have a friend with them, smoke or bring alcohol (if over 18) into the house.

Make it perfectly clear that your child is their first priority.

Provide them with refreshments.

Agree a fee with them in advance.

Choosinga

Babysitter

What is a Babysitter?A babysitter comes to your home and looks after your children, usually during theevenings or at weekends. Theycould be someone employedthrough an agency, a member of the family or a friend. One of thebiggest challenges faced byparents/carers is finding a reliablebabysitter, someone you can have complete confidence in to care for your children, allowing you to relax on your evening out.

www.southglos.gov.uk/cypinfo

March 2006 D410-04-009-06

Designed by South Gloucestershire Council Graphics & Mapping Services • 11106/03/06 • Printed on recycled paper 75% post consumer waste

How to Find a BabysitterThrough an agency (can be found in Yellow Pages).

Ask family, friends and neighbours.

Find a local babysitting circle in your area.

Advertise in the local paper or in colleges that teach childcare courses.

Where can I find further information?Please contact theChildren & Young People Information Service on 01454 868008

or South Gloucestershire Council’s websitewww.southglos.gov.uk/cypinfo or www.childcarelink.gov.uk - access is free at your local library or email cis@southglos.gov.ukor for information text 0762 480 9712

You can also contact OFSTED at www.ofsted.gov.uk

The Children & Young People Information Service cannot recommend or endorse any childcare providers.

The Children & Young People Information Service aims to provide free, clear, unbiased information to help parents, carers and others make informedchoices about childcare provision, education provision, support and familywelfare, employment and training in childcare and work life balance issues.Every effort is made to provide accurate information.

This information is also available in other languages, in large print, Braille or on audio tape. Please phone01454 868008 if you need any of these, or any otherhelp to access Council services.

C&

YP

Info

rmati

on S

erv

ice

What do they provide?Babysitters usually care for the children in the evening,sometimes getting the childrenready for bed, reading themstories and generally making sure the children are safe until you return. Sometimesbabysitters care for children atweekends during the day andthey are expected to play withthe children and keep them safe, amused and happy.

Ages catered forBabysitters care for all agegroups of children.

RegistrationBabysitters do not have to beregistered with OFSTED, however,if they are with an agency theyhave usually undergone sometype of checks, includingreferences and police checks.

Staffing/QualificationsMost babysitters have no formaltraining unless they are from anagency, in which case they mayhave some childcare training or qualification.

CostThere is no set rate of pay forbabysitters, so you will have toagree a rate with the babysittersthemselves. However, it is usualto pay more after midnight andon Bank Holidays. A babysitter from an agency will have a set payment rate.

Your ResponsibilitiesAlthough there is no legal age for babysitters, it is the responsibility of theparents/carers to ensure that a mature responsible personcares for their children. TheNSPCC recommends that ababysitter should be over theage of 16 years. Make sure that they have safe transporthome. If you choose to use ababysitter under the age of 16 in your home, then you areresponsible for them as well as your own children.

Issues to ConsiderAllow the children and babysitter to spend some timetogether with you present, either at a meeting before the first care session or ask the sitter to arrive about half anhour before you go out. It would be very frightening for a child to wake up and find a stranger in the house.

If a prospective sitter is not known to you, be sure to follow up references.

Give the sitter a contact number for you when you are out, and the number of a local neighbour, relative or friend who would be able to help in an emergency.

Make sure they know the address of your house and the location of the telephone in case of emergency.

Check whether the sitter has any first aid training or has completed a babysitting course (often held at local libraries). It would be wise for them to take anappropriate course if they are likely to babysit regularly.

Familiarise them with the house and the location of all the baby/child essentials.

Show them all the exits to the house along with relevant keys, including keys for window locks.

Make sure the sitter is aware of your child's likes, dislikes, routine and rules.

Don't take advantage of a sitter by expecting them to cope with an already sick child.

Always make your house rules clear. Let them know whether you are happy for them to play music, have a friend with them, smoke or bring alcohol (if over 18) into the house.

Make it perfectly clear that your child is their first priority.

Provide them with refreshments.

Agree a fee with them in advance.

Choosinga

Babysitter

What is a Babysitter?A babysitter comes to your home and looks after your children, usually during theevenings or at weekends. Theycould be someone employedthrough an agency, a member of the family or a friend. One of thebiggest challenges faced byparents/carers is finding a reliablebabysitter, someone you can have complete confidence in to care for your children, allowing you to relax on your evening out.

www.southglos.gov.uk/cypinfo

March 2006 D410-04-009-06

Designed by South Gloucestershire Council Graphics & Mapping Services • 11106/03/06 • Printed on recycled paper 75% post consumer waste

How to Find a BabysitterThrough an agency (can be found in Yellow Pages).

Ask family, friends and neighbours.

Find a local babysitting circle in your area.

Advertise in the local paper or in colleges that teach childcare courses.

Where can I find further information?Please contact theChildren & Young People Information Serviceon 01454 868008

or South Gloucestershire Council’s websitewww.southglos.gov.uk/cypinfoor www.childcarelink.gov.uk- access is free at your local library or email cis@southglos.gov.ukor for information text 0762 480 9712

You can also contact OFSTED at www.ofsted.gov.uk

The Children & Young PeopleInformation Service cannot recommend or endorse any childcare providers.

The Children & Young People Information Service aims to provide free, clear, unbiased information to help parents, carers and others make informedchoices about childcare provision, education provision, support and familywelfare, employment and training in childcare and work life balance issues.Every effort is made to provide accurate information.

This information is also available in other languages, in large print, Braille or on audio tape. Please phone01454 868008if you need any of these, or any otherhelp to access Council services.

C&

YP

Info

rmati

on S

erv

ice

What do they provide?Babysitters usually care for the children in the evening,sometimes getting the childrenready for bed, reading themstories and generally making sure the children are safe until you return. Sometimesbabysitters care for children atweekends during the day andthey are expected to play withthe children and keep them safe, amused and happy.

Ages catered forBabysitters care for all agegroups of children.

RegistrationBabysitters do not have to beregistered with OFSTED, however,if they are with an agency theyhave usually undergone sometype of checks, includingreferences and police checks.

Staffing/QualificationsMost babysitters have no formaltraining unless they are from anagency, in which case they mayhave some childcare training or qualification.

CostThere is no set rate of pay forbabysitters, so you will have toagree a rate with the babysittersthemselves. However, it is usualto pay more after midnight andon Bank Holidays. A babysitter from an agency will have a set payment rate.

Your ResponsibilitiesAlthough there is no legal age for babysitters, it is the responsibility of theparents/carers to ensure that a mature responsible personcares for their children. TheNSPCC recommends that ababysitter should be over theage of 16 years. Make sure that they have safe transporthome. If you choose to use ababysitter under the age of 16 in your home, then you areresponsible for them as well as your own children.

Issues to ConsiderAllow the children and babysitter to spend some timetogether with you present, either at a meeting before the first care session or ask the sitter to arrive about half anhour before you go out. It would be very frightening for a child to wake up and find a stranger in the house.

If a prospective sitter is not known to you, be sure to follow up references.

Give the sitter a contact number for you when you are out, and the number of a local neighbour, relative or friend who would be able to help in an emergency.

Make sure they know the address of your house and the location of the telephone in case of emergency.

Check whether the sitter has any first aid training or has completed a babysitting course (often held at local libraries). It would be wise for them to take anappropriate course if they are likely to babysit regularly.

Familiarise them with the house and the location of all the baby/child essentials.

Show them all the exits to the house along with relevant keys, including keys for window locks.

Make sure the sitter is aware of your child's likes, dislikes, routine and rules.

Don't take advantage of a sitter by expecting them to cope with an already sick child.

Always make your house rules clear. Let them know whether you are happy for them to play music, have a friend with them, smoke or bring alcohol (if over 18) into the house.

Make it perfectly clear that your child is their first priority.

Provide them with refreshments.

Agree a fee with them in advance.

Choosinga

Babysitter

What is a Babysitter?A babysitter comes to your home and looks after your children, usually during theevenings or at weekends. Theycould be someone employedthrough an agency, a member of the family or a friend. One of thebiggest challenges faced byparents/carers is finding a reliablebabysitter, someone you can have complete confidence in to care for your children, allowing you to relax on your evening out.

www.southglos.gov.uk/cypinfo

March 2006 D410-04-009-06

Designed by South Gloucestershire Council Graphics & Mapping Services • 11106/03/06 • Printed on recycled paper 75% post consumer waste

How to Find a BabysitterThrough an agency (can be found in Yellow Pages).

Ask family, friends and neighbours.

Find a local babysitting circle in your area.

Advertise in the local paper or in colleges that teach childcare courses.

Where can I find further information?Please contact theChildren & Young People Information Serviceon 01454 868008

or South Gloucestershire Council’s websitewww.southglos.gov.uk/cypinfoor www.childcarelink.gov.uk- access is free at your local library or email cis@southglos.gov.ukor for information text 0762 480 9712

You can also contact OFSTED at www.ofsted.gov.uk

The Children & Young PeopleInformation Service cannot recommend or endorse any childcare providers.

The Children & Young People Information Service aims to provide free, clear, unbiased information to help parents, carers and others make informedchoices about childcare provision, education provision, support and familywelfare, employment and training in childcare and work life balance issues.Every effort is made to provide accurate information.

This information is also available in other languages, in large print, Braille or on audio tape. Please phone01454 868008if you need any of these, or any otherhelp to access Council services.

C&

YP

Info

rmatio

n S

ervic

e

What do they provide?Babysitters usually care for the children in the evening,sometimes getting the childrenready for bed, reading themstories and generally making sure the children are safe until you return. Sometimesbabysitters care for children atweekends during the day andthey are expected to play withthe children and keep them safe, amused and happy.

Ages catered forBabysitters care for all agegroups of children.

RegistrationBabysitters do not have to beregistered with OFSTED, however,if they are with an agency theyhave usually undergone sometype of checks, includingreferences and police checks.

Staffing/QualificationsMost babysitters have no formaltraining unless they are from anagency, in which case they mayhave some childcare training or qualification.

CostThere is no set rate of pay forbabysitters, so you will have toagree a rate with the babysittersthemselves. However, it is usualto pay more after midnight andon Bank Holidays. A babysitter from an agency will have a set payment rate.

Your ResponsibilitiesAlthough there is no legal age for babysitters, it is the responsibility of theparents/carers to ensure that a mature responsible personcares for their children. TheNSPCC recommends that ababysitter should be over theage of 16 years. Make sure that they have safe transporthome. If you choose to use ababysitter under the age of 16 in your home, then you areresponsible for them as well as your own children.

Issues to ConsiderAllow the children and babysitter to spend some timetogether with you present, either at a meeting before the first care session or ask the sitter to arrive about half anhour before you go out. It would be very frightening for a child to wake up and find a stranger in the house.

If a prospective sitter is not known to you, be sure to follow up references.

Give the sitter a contact number for you when you are out, and the number of a local neighbour, relative or friend who would be able to help in an emergency.

Make sure they know the address of your house and the location of the telephone in case of emergency.

Check whether the sitter has any first aid training or has completed a babysitting course (often held at local libraries). It would be wise for them to take anappropriate course if they are likely to babysit regularly.

Familiarise them with the house and the location of all the baby/child essentials.

Show them all the exits to the house along with relevant keys, including keys for window locks.

Make sure the sitter is aware of your child's likes, dislikes, routine and rules.

Don't take advantage of a sitter by expecting them to cope with an already sick child.

Always make your house rules clear. Let them know whether you are happy for them to play music, have a friend with them, smoke or bring alcohol (if over 18) into the house.

Make it perfectly clear that your child is their first priority.

Provide them with refreshments.

Agree a fee with them in advance.

Choosinga

Babysitter

What is a Babysitter?A babysitter comes to your home and looks after your children, usually during theevenings or at weekends. Theycould be someone employedthrough an agency, a member of the family or a friend. One of thebiggest challenges faced byparents/carers is finding a reliablebabysitter, someone you can have complete confidence in to care for your children, allowing you to relax on your evening out.

www.southglos.gov.uk/cypinfo

March 2006 D410-04-009-06

Designed by South Gloucestershire Council Graphics & Mapping Services • 11106/03/06 • Printed on recycled paper 75% post consumer waste

How to Find a BabysitterThrough an agency (can be found in Yellow Pages).

Ask family, friends and neighbours.

Find a local babysitting circle in your area.

Advertise in the local paper or in colleges that teach childcare courses.

Where can I find further information?Please contact theChildren & Young People Information Service on 01454 868008

or South Gloucestershire Council’s websitewww.southglos.gov.uk/cypinfo or www.childcarelink.gov.uk - access is free at your local library or email cis@southglos.gov.ukor for information text 0762 480 9712

You can also contact OFSTED at www.ofsted.gov.uk

The Children & Young People Information Service cannot recommend or endorse any childcare providers.

The Children & Young People Information Service aims to provide free, clear, unbiased information to help parents, carers and others make informedchoices about childcare provision, education provision, support and familywelfare, employment and training in childcare and work life balance issues.Every effort is made to provide accurate information.

This information is also available in other languages, in large print, Braille or on audio tape. Please phone01454 868008 if you need any of these, or any otherhelp to access Council services.