Comprehensive Babysitting Checklist

Use the following handy checklist as a guide to provide your sitter with all the essential information from emergency phone numbers to television regulations, and enjoy a kid-free, stress-free night out.

IMPORTANT NAMES AND NUMBERS:

• Where you can be reached
• Two nearby friends, relatives, or neighbors
• Fire department
• Police department
• Poison Control Center
• Pediatrician
• Hospital

INSTRUCTIONS:

• What your child is allowed to eat and drink
• Bedtime (or nap time) and how to enforce it
• Play activities your child enjoys
• Activities not permitted while you’re gone
• How much television (and which programs) your child is allowed to watch
• How you want behavior problems handled
• How to use any baby equipment
• Warning not to open doors to strangers
• Warning for sitter not to tell phone caller she is alone, just take a message
• Rules for sitter on her use of phone, television, smoking and alcohol
• What to do in case of fire or other emergency
• Show all entrances and exits, fire and burglar alarms, first aid supplies, flashlights and fuse box
• Post your address and clear directions on how to locate your house (in case sitter needs to provide directions to emergency services)

EMERGENCY MEDICAL CONSENT FORM:

• Without parental permission, doctors will only treat children in life threatening situations. To make sure your child receives emergency medical treatment when he’s under a sitter’s care, prepare a consent form that includes:
  • Your child’s name
  • Date of birth
  • Insurance carrier and policy number
  • Doctors’ names and phone numbers
  • Important medical history, including allergies and chronic conditions
• The following statement: “Any licensed physician, dentist orhospital may give necessary emergency medical service to my child (YOUR CHILD’S NAME) at the request of the person bearing this consent form.”
• Your signature