Babysitter Interview Questions

For the full context of these questions, please start with my post about finding the right sitter for your family here. The list of questions below comes after a few interactions and exchanges with a babysitting candidate!

Ice Breakers:

  • What are your plans today/tonight?
  • Or; Do you have anything planned for the weekend? Or, what did you do this past weekend?
  • I know we have briefly connected on Care and by e-mail by why don’t you start with telling me a little bit about yourself from the beginning.
  • Offer to repeat some facts about your family and what you are looking for in a sitter.

Deeper Dive:

  • Tell me about your family. Do you have siblings? Older/younger? How do you all get along?
  • Do you have any pets? Do you like animals? [Most specifically for families with pets]
  • Did you grow-up in this area?
  • Do you have any regular afterschool or weekend activities (sports, clubs, leagues, etc.)?
  • What type of childcare experience do you have?
  • Why do you like being a babysitter?
  • What are the ages of the children you have cared for?
  • Do you have a favorite age group to work with? Why? Do you have any least favorite?
  • Do you have other life or work experience that makes you a great sitter?
  • How many children have you cared for alone at one time?
  • Can you tell me about a typical day/night of babysitting for you?
  • What is your favorite part of being around kids?
  • What is the hardest part of taking care of kids?
  • What types of activities do you like to do with kids to keep them happy and engaged?
  • Do you have a favorite children’s book?
  • Do you have a favorite kid’s movie?
  • Do you drive? Do you have a reliable car? Have you ever gotten a ticket or other violation?
  • Do you speak any other languages? [Specially for families who are looking for sitters who can teach another language, otherwise, irrelevant]
  • Do you have any other skills that make you a great, fun, sitter (like singing, dancing, playing sports, are you creative/crafty, etc.)?
  • Do you have any more questions for me?

There is lots more to come! Questions, questions, questions. Remember, this was only a phone screen to get a sense of the candidate. Next up is an in-person interview and a trial!

It all went great: “Claire, it was so great to talk to you! Thank you again for taking the time to chat. I’d love to get a list of your references and make time for us to meet in person. Does that sounds like a good next step to you?” — Be sure to gather references and offer a few times to meet via e-mail or text so it’s in writing. See my post here about this next step.

It didn’t go so great: “Claire, thank you so much for making time to chat today. I really appreciated it. It’s been nice to get to know more about you and what you are looking for in a babysitting job. I’d like to think about the next step here and circle back with you shortly.”

Honestly, I like to buy time and politeness here — it gives me time to reflect on the interview instead of shooting them straight down. Within 24-hours I absolutely follow-up with a text or e-mail again thanking them for their time but letting them know we have decided to go in a different direction for a sitter and wish them the best on their search for the perfect family.

For more on childcare – including au pairs, nannies, hiring contracts, traveling with childcare, daycares, etc. – visit my childcare page here.