Essential Skills Every Babysitter Should Master

Introduction

Babysitters offer a valuable service that supports families and communities. Parents and caregivers often have to leave their children for work, appointments, socialising or other activities. Having someone professional, trustworthy and reliable caring for their children gives them peace of mind. It is also a practical and cost-effective option, especially with the demands for childcare and rising living costs. According to childcare and early years survey of parents:

• 58% of parents used childcare for children 0-14, with 47% using formal childcare, including babysitting.
• 38% of working mothers with children 0-14 said having reliable childcare helps them go to work.
• 71% used childcare for their children 0-4, with 62% using formal childcare, including babysitting.
• 60% of working mothers with children 0-4 said having reliable childcare helps them go to work.

Babysitting is a good option for those who enjoy working with children and their families, and they also play a crucial role in children’s learning and cognitive, social and emotional development. Children will interact with someone outside of their family unit, which exposes them to different personalities, interests and experiences.

You will require specific knowledge, skills and experience as a babysitter, and the role and various responsibilities will help you continuously learn and develop. It can be a great option if you are looking for a career in childcare, and you will also acquire transferable skills to use in other sectors. You can earn while learning and working.

If you are an aspiring babysitter or even starting in this role, this blog will provide information on essential skills and tips to help you excel. It will also help you ensure the safety and well-being of the children under your care.

Responsibility and Reliability

When you, as a babysitter, care for someone else’s children, you are responsible for their happiness, safety and well-being. Therefore, responsibility is a skill fundamental to the role. You will need to make crucial decisions, follow any instructions and rules given to you by parents and caregivers and be attentive to children’s needs.

You will also need to be reliable and trustworthy. The last thing parents and caregivers want is to hire someone who turns up late or not at all. It will erode trust and damage your reputation. It can also be difficult for children if you are inconsistent and break their routines. You should be punctual, demonstrate your commitment to the role and the children you are caring for and be able to handle any situation that may arise.

Being responsible and reliable will foster trust and build positive relationships with parents, caregivers and children. It will give them peace of mind when leaving their children, promote a safe and nurturing environment, and positively influence the children you are looking after.

Safety and Emergency Preparedness

Unfortunately, accidents and emergencies happen, so be prepared for every eventuality. One of your main responsibilities will be ensuring the safety of the children in your care. Would you know what to do if a child was choking or had an allergic reaction or a severe injury? Here are some of the things you should know:

• Fire safety – fire is a risk in any premises, including someone’s home. It can be caused by fire hazards such as electrical sparks, naked flames and hot surfaces coming into contact with fuels, e.g. paper, cardboard, textiles, etc. Knowing how to prevent fires and protect yourself and the children if a fire occurs is vital.
• Food safety – food can be a hazard to babies and children. If not prepared and handled safely and hygienically, it can make them ill, e.g. food poisoning. Some children have food allergies and are at risk of an allergic reaction and even anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening. There are also physical hazards where children are at risk of choking, especially with foreign bodies and certain foods, e.g. grapes. Understanding food safety and hygiene and protecting children from food hazards is key.
• Health and safety – many things around the home can cause harm to children, which are known as hazards. Some examples include electricity, sharp objects, chemicals, hot surfaces, wet floors, falling objects, falling from a height, strangers coming to the house, broken toys and many more. Look at what could potentially harm children, remove hazards where possible and protect them from ones you cannot remove.
• First aid – it is vital to understand the actions to take if injuries, illnesses and emergencies occur. You should have basic medical knowledge and undertake first aid training specific to babies and children to feel confident and know what to do if there is an emergency.
• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) – if an infant or child is unresponsive and not breathing normally, you should know what to do, i.e. phone 999 and start CPR. It would be worthwhile reading up on CPR and even undertaking practical training.

There are various courses on fire safety, health and safety, food safety, first aid and CPR, which you should consider to fulfil your duties as a responsible babysitter. It will also demonstrate to parents and caregivers that you are serious about the role.

Some questions to ask parents and caregivers are (this list is not exhaustive):

• What is the best way out of the house in an emergency, such as a fire, and where should you go? Does the family have a fire escape plan in place?  Is there a meeting point outside of the house?
• What safety measures are in place, e.g. first-aid kits, fire blankets/extinguishers, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide alarms, etc? Ask how to use them.
• Do the children have any allergies or other medical issues? If so, do they have any medication, such as epinephrine for allergic reactions and inhalers for asthma attacks?
• What childproofing is in place?
• Who should you contact in an emergency, and how to reach them?

It is worth having the information in writing so you can familiarise yourself and respond quickly if there is an accident or emergency. You should also have an emergency contact list with relevant phone numbers.

Here are some links with further information that may help:

• CPD Online College – When to administer CPR?
• Food Standards Agency – has plenty of advice on its consumer advice page.
• UK – Fire safety for parents and child carers.
• HSE – Children’s play and leisure: promoting a balanced approach.
• NHS – A guide for parents and carers of children aged birth – 5 years – for parents but has some useful information.
• NHS – Baby and toddler safety.
• NHS – Children’s food: safety and hygiene.
• NHS – How to resuscitate a child.
• St John Ambulance – Paediatric First Aid – CPR, Choking & More.

Child Development and Age-Appropriate Activities

Child development is “the physical, cognitive, emotional and social growth that occurs throughout a child’s life” (NSPCC Learning). There are five key milestones (stages) in child development:

• Newborn (0-3 months).
• Infancy (3-12 months).
• Toddler (1-3 years).
• Pre-school (3-4 years).
• School-age (4+ years).

Understanding child development stages is crucial, as you will play a vital role in children’s learning when caring for them. It will help you tailor your approaches, support their learning and create a personalised environment to promote their development. It will also help you identify developmental issues and respond effectively to children’s needs and challenges.

Children should be provided with age-appropriate activities and toys, as they are critical in their development, for example:

• Physical development – suitable toys and activities help children develop fine and gross motor skills and promote hand-eye coordination, strength, balance and coordination. It also improves their health through physical fitness.
• Cognitive development – activities and toys tailored to children’s ages help them improve their memory, develop problem-solving skills and stimulate thinking. When they interact during play, they improve their communication skills and language development.
• Emotional development – children can express themselves when playing with age-appropriate toys and undertaking relevant activities. It can help them understand other’s feelings and build resilience.
• Social development – children can interact, develop social skills and learn to share and cooperate with toys and activities designed for their specific age group.

Choosing the most suitable toys and activities for children’s ages and development stages provides them with the best play opportunities for their learning where they can explore and thrive.

Parents and caregivers may provide you with suitable toys and activities, or they may want you to plan and organise things for the children. Either way, you should engage children in creative, educational, and stimulating activities based on their developmental needs. Here are some tips on how you can achieve this:

• Get to know the children – it may take a bit of time, but getting to know the children you look after will help you to understand them and their interests, preferences and favourite toys/activities. You can ask parents, caregivers and children questions to find out more and also ask for some ideas.
• Allow time for free play – children need free play, i.e. directed by them. They should be able to choose the toys, materials and locations with which they want to play, but you can still participate but don’t lead. Unicef has further information on the importance of free play here.
• Make it fun – children must find the toys and activities interesting. If they don’t, it is unlikely to keep them engaged. You don’t always need toys either; you can use materials, e.g. cardboard boxes for forts or ships or go outdoors and find natural materials, e.g. leaves, sticks and even mud. Be creative and let their imaginations go wild!

Always discuss with parents and caregivers when introducing any toys, materials or activities yourself and make sure they are happy first, especially if technology is involved. Also, check whether friends or play dates are permitted.

We have some further information on child development stages and tips here.

Effective Communication Skills

An essential skill you will need as a babysitter is communication, which is how you communicate with others through verbal means, written or typed words and even body language. It involves active listening, expressing yourself clearly and giving information to others in a way they can understand. You will interact with parents/caregivers, children and perhaps other babysitters.

Communication skills are vital in babysitting for the following reasons:

• Fostering relationships with parents and caregivers – they want to feel comfortable when leaving their children with you, so communicating your qualifications, experience, and other relevant information is vital. Being professional, engaging, honest and transparent is also key in establishing trust and is the foundation for building positive relationships.
• Building rapport with children – your role is to look after children, so getting to know them and engaging with them in an age-appropriate way will help you build rapport with them. Children want to feel comfortable, safe and secure, so demonstrate to them that you are the person to provide this environment while their parents/caregivers are away from home. If their parents and caregivers can see their children like you, it will make them feel more relaxed.

To help you communicate effectively and build trust and rapport, you should develop active listening skills, which means:

• Listening intently to what people are saying and not just hearing the words.
• Listening without judgement, interruption, distraction or assumptions.
• Being fully present, keeping good eye contact and being mindful of non-verbal cues, e.g. body language and gestures.
• Fully understanding and interpreting what is said.
• Asking questions to check understanding.
• Responding appropriately and empathetically.

Before starting a babysitting job, you should understand what parents/caregivers expect of you and communicate your expectations to them. You should ask questions, discuss the routines, rules, and the children’s needs and set boundaries to avoid any misunderstandings and conflicts.

When looking after the children, ask them what activities and toys they enjoy and engage with them. You could read, do arts and crafts, play games or role-play. If children can see you are interested in them, it will make them feel more comfortable and secure.

An essential aspect of effective communication is handling any difficult situations which can arise with parents and caregivers and also the children themselves. If any challenges occur, you should address them calmly, professionally and diplomatically and avoid conflict. Fully understanding your role and the children you are looking after will help you avoid difficult situations and deal with them promptly and appropriately if they arise.

Problem-Solving and Decision-Making

Things do not always go according to plan when caring for babies and children, and there will be unexpected problems, conflicts and unforeseen situations. You will need to think, act quickly, adapt and be flexible, which requires good problem-solving skills. You should be able to identify when there is a problem, analyse the situation and think about how you can solve it.

You will also need good decision-making skills, meaning choosing the most appropriate solutions for the challenges and situations. These skills are also crucial in babysitting, as they will help you evaluate your choices and make harder decisions (Twinkl).

Some example strategies for handling unexpected challenges and making informed decisions in various situations are as follows:

• Be prepared – anticipate foreseeable situations and problems, such as accidents, illnesses, hazards, tantrums, fussy eaters and sibling conflicts. Come up with ways on how you would deal with them and have contingency plans. The practice will help you with unexpected situations.
• Set and maintain boundaries – to avoid challenges, stick to children’s routines and be consistent when enforcing the rules, e.g. bedtimes, mealtimes and screen time. Ensure you make your boundaries clear to parents/caregivers and children.
• Keep a clear head – don’t panic or get angry, stay calm and think clearly. Assess the situation, identify the cause, weigh up your options and don’t be afraid to adapt and consider alternative solutions. In a non-emergency, consider asking more experienced babysitters and childcarers for advice. There are plenty of forums and groups on social media that may help.
• Use positive reinforcement – provide children with rewards, such as encouragement, praise, play and toys, when they display desired behaviours. Children are more likely to repeat these behaviours in the future. You could also try redirecting the behaviour but avoid punishment. CPD Online College has an article on promoting positive behaviour here.
• Contact parents/caregivers – if a situation or challenge has you stumped, contacting parents and caregivers for advice and input may help. Always communicate and collaborate with them on safeguarding, health, safety and discipline. They may be able to advise you beforehand on how they deal with certain situations, such as sibling conflicts.

Every babysitting job is unique, and each family and household will differ, so you should anticipate there will be unexpected problems and situations. Being prepared, adaptable and flexible and honing your problem-solving and decision-making skills will help you confidently tackle any challenge or situation and ensure the safety and well-being of the children.

Conflict Resolution and Behaviour Management

As a babysitter, you may encounter conflict between you and a child/children or parents and caregivers. Children may also have disagreements with one another and can bicker and fight, and you may find some children’s behaviour challenging. Here are some techniques for conflict resolution and behaviour management when caring for children:

Set and maintain boundaries

• Model healthy boundaries yourself and respect those of parents, caregivers and children, as they will have their own.
• Communicate these boundaries.
• Ensure children understand acceptable and unacceptable behaviours.
• Be a good role model regarding behaviours.

Enforce rules

• Parents and caregivers should let you know the rules of the house, and if there are any doubts, ask them.
• You may want to introduce some rules of your own, but ensure they do not contradict those given by parents/caregivers and that they find them acceptable.
• Ensure children understand the consequences if they break the rules.
• Check with parents/caregivers on discipline and what is and isn’t acceptable.
• Be consistent with the rules and when reacting to children’s behaviour.

Prevent conflict and challenging behaviour

• Getting to know the children and observing their behaviour will help you spot when conflict or challenging behaviour is about to occur and the triggers.
• Try to turn the situation into a negotiation, i.e. taking turns.
• You can use positive reinforcement to promote desired behaviours, which can help deter challenging behaviour.

Respond calmly to challenging behaviours and conflict

• If conflict or challenging behaviour arises, approach these situations calmly and do not overreact.
• Ask parents/caregivers if they have any advice.
• Acknowledging children’s emotions and validating their feelings can help resolve the issue.
• Encourage children to try calming techniques, such as deep breathing.

Try to understand the reasons for the conflict or behaviour

• Ask questions about what happened, why, and who was involved to understand the causes of the conflict/behaviour.
• Help them recognise their emotions during conflicts and challenging behaviour.
• Ask them to open up as to why they are feeling this way.
• Actively listen with compassion and empathy.

Involve children in finding solutions

• Ask children how they think they can resolve the issue together and encourage them to express their ideas.
• Discuss the pros and cons of each suggestion.
• Try using role play to get them to understand each other’s perspectives and feelings.

Supervise closely after resolution

• Monitor the children after the situation is resolved.
• Follow up and provide guidance and support where needed.

You can enhance your conflict management skills and learn to deal with challenging behaviour through training and workshops.

Further information

• Early Years Alliance – Managing early childhood conflicts and behaviours.
• First Discoverers – Helping Children to Manage Conflict.
• NHS – Dealing with child behaviour problems.
• Twinkl – Teaching Your Child to Manage Conflicts.

Basic Household Tasks

Your exact tasks will depend on the family’s and children’s needs and your role and responsibilities. Here are some examples of basic household tasks that you may perform:

• Light housekeeping – you may have to clean up after the children, wash dishes and tidy play areas.
• Meal preparation – you may be required to prepare bottles, healthy snacks and meals for the children as per instructions given by parents and caregivers. You will need to be mindful of any food allergies or dietary restrictions.
• Feeding– in some cases, you may have to help children eat or give babies bottles.
• Changing and toileting – depending on the children’s ages, you may need to change nappies or help them go to the potty or toilet.
• Bedtime routines – you may need to follow children’s bedtime routines. It can include giving them baths, changing them for bed, reading stories, putting them to bed and monitoring their sleep.
• Assisting with homework – depending on the children’s ages, you may need to help them with their homework.
• Planning and organising activities and games – you may be asked to help with children’s learning and plan and organise various activities and games for them to do. You will also play with them and keep them entertained and stimulated.
• Keeping records – some parents and caregivers may ask you to keep certain records, e.g. food, medication, accidents, etc.

It is always best to check with parents and caregivers about the tasks they expect you to do before accepting the position to ensure you are happy and comfortable with the responsibilities.

Your priority will be the children’s health, safety and well-being, so you must closely supervise them, but how do you also manage household tasks efficiently? Here are some tips:

• Establish rules and boundaries and ensure children understand what is allowed and what isn’t.
• Keep areas clean and free from clutter to better observe the children.
• Look around the room/area, scan for any hazards that could harm the children and remove them/make them safe, e.g. childproofing.
• Get the children to help with some of the tasks, as long as it is safe, as it will teach them essential life skills.
• Use a planner and arrange some tasks during quieter times, i.e. bedtime or rest.
• Set up a play area in the same room where you need to do some household tasks so you can monitor children.
• Ask parents/caregivers if you can complete the household tasks while they are at home or if someone else, such as a friend or trusted neighbour, can be present.
• Stay organised, manage your time effectively and keep to routines to ensure consistency and that children know what to expect.

Interpersonal Skills

Interpersonal skills are soft skills that help you effectively interact, relate and communicate with others. They are vital in building positive and meaningful relationships with children and parents/caregivers. They foster rapport, connections and trust and allow effective communication. They also help you actively listen, demonstrating you care about the family’s needs.

Here are some ways you can build rapport, earn trust, and foster a comfortable and supportive environment for children:

• Demonstrate enthusiasm to show parents/caregivers and children you are passionate and enthusiastic about childcare.
• Be reliable, consistent, honest and transparent to let parents/caregivers know about your qualifications, experience and background. Also, show up, and if you make mistakes, admit to them.
• Be true to your word – to keep your promises. If you say you are going to do something, then do it.
• Use clear and open communication channels to keep everyone in the loop and ensure there are no surprises.
• Provide reassurance to children during conflicts or emergencies will help them feel safe.
• Be empathetic, compassionate, patient and attentive to create a supportive and nurturing environment where children feel heard, understood, comfortable, safe and secure.
• Show a genuine interest in children to form positive bonds. Get to know them, and ask them about their interests, feelings and what they have been doing. Also, engage and play with them in games and activities they enjoy to foster positive experiences.
• Involve parents, caregivers and children in decision-making to allow them to be actively involved. Allow children a say rather than telling them what to do can foster trust.
• Provide regular updates to parents and caregivers to give them peace of mind so they can see their children are well cared for.

Adaptability and Flexibility

As mentioned, you may encounter unforeseen situations and unexpected challenges when babysitting. Children are naturally unpredictable, and each family and household will be unique. Parents and caregivers may also need to change their schedules at short notice and may be late, and children can be injured or fall ill, so adaptability and flexibility are key skills to have.

• Adaptability– the ability to adjust to a new environment or different conditions.
• Flexibility– being willing to adjust to changes and new demands without changes in behaviour.

You may need to respond to changing behaviours, circumstances and routines. Children’s needs, moods and interests can also change daily, so you must be able to adjust your approaches to ensure you provide the best possible care and they remain happy, healthy and safe. Getting exasperated or angry with children and even parents and caregivers because of changes they need to make can erode trust and damage relationships.

Some examples of strategies for adjusting to changing circumstances, accommodating individual needs, and maintaining composure under pressure are as follows:

• Be prepared – anticipating potential changes can help you deal with them as they arise, e.g. have backup plans and activities if children’s needs and moods change. You should also be prepared for emergencies and have clear plans on what to do in various situations.
• Keep up to date – having the latest knowledge on child safety and childcare techniques can help you stay informed and know what to do if something unexpected happens. You could also take some courses and workshops to enhance your skills.
• Openly communicate – keep in close contact with parents and caregivers to know if and when there may be changes in routine and possible shifts. Also, if you need to change plans, give plenty of notice.
• Look after yourself – practice self-care and stress management techniques to remain calm under pressure. You should take breaks when needed and try relaxation techniques, such as meditation, mindfulness, breathing exercises and yoga. Also, break tasks down into manageable chunks to alleviate pressure.
• Don’t be a pushover – while you want to make a good impression with parents/caregivers and remain professional, it does not mean you have to drop everything at the last minute or put up with unacceptable behaviour from parents and caregivers. Set boundaries and clarify your expectations regarding the shifts you can do and how much notice you need if their plans change.
• Practice patience – children can test the patience of most people and can have sudden outbursts and try to push boundaries. Becoming more patient will help you manage these situations more calmly.

Being open and embracing change can help you develop a flexible mindset and adapt where necessary.

Professionalism and Confidentiality

Professionalism is crucial in babysitting, as parents and caregivers will want someone who will uphold high standards, be respectful and take their job seriously. Being professional will demonstrate you are mature and dependable, which is vital for parents and caregivers to feel comfortable leaving you alone to look after their children. It will also help you to get good reviews, and you may be able to ask them for a reference when applying for future jobs, aiding you towards your future career.

Always uphold confidentiality in babysitting, i.e. protect personal information; it is the foundation on which trust is built. You will be looking after their children in their homes, and they should be able to trust you while they are out and with their personal information. You may have information on their children, such as health, care needs and lifestyle, which they want you to keep private.

Parents and caregivers will expect you to respect their and the children’s confidentiality at all times. If you breach confidentiality, it can erode trust, damage your reputation and can also lead to legal consequences. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018 have strict guidelines for collecting, processing, and storing personal data, including children’s information.

To be a successful babysitter, you must respect privacy, maintain confidentiality, and uphold professional standards at all times by the following:

• Always be punctual, dress appropriately, avoid swearing, do not overuse your phone, smoke, vape, drink or do drugs, and be polite.
• Maintain clear and open communication channels and discuss routines, expectations and boundaries.
• Demonstrate your commitment to children’s safety and well-being by following parents’ and caregivers’ instructions, adhering to their rules and asking any questions if you are unsure of something.
• Interact with children in an engaging and positive way and help them with their learning and development.
• Demonstrate you can handle challenging and unexpected situations calmly and effectively.
• Check with parents and caregivers on areas within the home that are out of bounds and items not to touch.
• Do not share the family’s personal information with anyone outside the home unless there is an emergency and the children’s safety is at risk. If you need to share personal data, always obtain consent from parents/caregivers beforehand.
• Comply with data protection laws if you keep records and ensure they are securely stored.
• Avoid discussing or sharing personal, private or confidential matters with others, including online, e.g. on social media platforms. Be cautious about photos, and do not take any of the house or children without permission.
• Undertake training to understand your duties regarding confidentiality and privacy.

Remember, babysitting is a real job where you are getting paid, even if it is casual. Therefore, you should take the role seriously to ensure the well-being of parents/caregivers, the children and yourself.

Conclusion

While it may seem a lot to get your head around, babysitting is a huge responsibility, and you will need knowledge of various aspects of childcare. You will be looking after people’s precious children, and they and their parents and caregivers will expect you to keep them healthy, well and safe while caring for them. Therefore, having a passion for working with children and families is vital.

You will need to have a specific skill set and master them to help you become a competent, responsible and reliable babysitter. You should know how to keep children safe and what to do in an emergency. You should have some knowledge about child development to provide age-appropriate activities and effective communication and interpersonal skills to build rapport and positive relationships with families.

As things rarely go to plan when looking after children, you need to be able to use your problem-solving and decision-making skills to find appropriate solutions if any unexpected challenges or unforeseen situations arise. You will need to know how to resolve conflicts and manage challenging behaviour to prevent situations from escalating. An adaptable and flexible approach will help you face changes and challenges head-on.

Check with parents and caregivers about what they expect of you and your responsibilities, including any household tasks you may need to conduct. They will, amongst other things, expect you to be professional and uphold their confidentiality and privacy at all times. Therefore, committing to continued learning and skill development will help you provide high-quality care for children in your community. Hopefully, you will also have fun while doing it!