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Babysitter: How to choose her?
It stresses you out… It’s not easy to entrust the apple of your eye to a stranger. But there are the imperatives. Like many parents, you are undoubtedly not free in your professional planning, nor in a position to take care of childcare. There are also desires. How long has it been since you planned a restaurant between adults to relax? Your loved ones cannot always take over from you at a moment’s notice to Baby, moreover, that is not their role. So you are thinking about hire a babysitter. In fact, in your shops, in neighborhood newspapers, on Internet forums, you see heaps of classified ads of candidates for this type of job. The problem: to find the rare pearl.
Identify your priorities
First, determine your needs: regular or not, during the day and / or in the evening. Your expectations will not be the same depending on whether the babysitter will have to occupy your little one with early learning games and physical activities, give him his bath and his meal, or just watch TV while he sleeps. . Also list the character traits that you appreciate: dynamic, responsive, resourceful, calming, cheerful, affectionate … Don’t be too demanding: no one is perfect. Focus especially on the Products and favor experienced profiles. Of course, it is by forging that one becomes a blacksmith, but for a toddler, better someone who is not at his first attempt. Be careful, this does not mean that only early childhood graduates are newsworthy. Still, a regular under 3 years old – having already worked with them or being a parent – will undoubtedly have more a sense of responsibility and better reflexes than a high school student, even very motivated.
Look in the right direction
Your wishes are now clearly identified? This will simplify your procedures. You will quickly eliminate the leads that do not suit you, and prospect in the right direction. Start with word of mouth. Ideally, nothing beats the one-on-one contact of a “friend-of-friend-friend who knows someone great”. It’s both reassuring and a great time saver. If the “network” option does not work, try them offers. Before you sort through the ones you’ve collected from the building lobby, bakery, and grocery store, why not write one yourself to describe precisely the profile you’re looking for? Idea: drop it off with early childhood professionals (PMI, speech therapists, psychomotor therapists or nursery nurses…). Perhaps they will put you in touch with specialized students looking for part-time work. This is the guarantee of finding young people passionate about babies and who know a lot about them. Other solution : employment agencies. You make your wishes and they start looking for the person who is likely to seduce you. Prefer companies exclusively dedicated to babysitting to those which offer all types of personal assistance. The former are often more responsive and have a better command of the subject. Most of them pre-select candidates on the basis of their CV and after a preliminary interview, mini-knowledge check, verification of their references and their criminal record. Some even undertake to put you in touch only with graduates of early childhood (or with a solid practical experience) for the care of under 3 years. In addition, they sometimes provide training for the employee. If you decide to use their services, remember to check that their arguments are not only commercial. Good to know ; you will probably have the choice between hiring the candidate yourself or going through the agency to employ and insure them. The second scenario will have the advantage of freeing you from administrative paperwork. Obviously, it will cost you a bit more.
Prepare for the first meeting
Has anyone caught your attention? Call him to make a first contact and find out more about his availability, background and motivations. And talk about salary of course. Whatever it is, it must not be lower than the hourly minimum wage (€ 9,53 gross). Already at the sound of the voice, and over the words exchanged, you will feel if you want a face-to-face meeting. It’s the case ? Set an appointment day and, if an agency has not already arranged it, ask the person to bring their CV, or even a copy of their references and / or diplomas: BAFA (Brevet d’aptitude aux functions facilitator), First aid certificate, etc. On D-day, plan to receive it with your child (imperatively), and your spouse (if possible). It is important to make sure that the “current goes” between all of them. Observe his behavior with Baby. Does she immediately take an interest in her tastes? His character ? It’s a good sign. Have him do a real-life test: changing the diaper, for example. Still comfortable? Also remember to ask him practical questions: “What do you do if my child is choking?”. Really the answer to everything? We can say that you are close to hitting the jackpot. And if, in addition, you have the “feeling”, it’s won!