15 smart questions to ask a potential babysitter

Hiring a good babysitter requires more than just finding someone who’s available. This person will play a key role in your child’s safety and happiness, so before you hire someone, ask the right interview questions to get to know them better. Whether you’re considering a neighborhood teen, a college student, or a seasoned sitter, asking thoughtful questions can help you understand their skills, reliability, and compatibility with your family.

We rounded up 15 questions to guide you through your babysitter interview. Think of this list as a toolkit—you can adapt it based on your child’s age, routines, and unique needs.

Learn more: Your essential guide to finding a babysitter and How to find a nanny that fits your family

General experience and background

1. Can you tell me about your babysitting experience?

What to look for: Specific examples of ages they’ve cared for, length of experience, and repeat families. Potential red flags: Vague or overly brief responses that suggest limited exposure.

Additional insights: Decide whether you’re looking for a babysitter or a nanny.

2. What do you enjoy most about working with kids?

#1 family finance and safety app.

#1 family finance and safety app.

Teach your kids and teens to earn, save, and invest with Greenlight.

Use code GLBLOG for one month, on us.*

Try Greenlight today

What to look for: Genuine enthusiasm, such as enjoying creativity, teaching, or building connections. Potential red flags: Indifference or answers that make babysitting sound like “just a paycheck.”

3. Have you taken any childcare or safety courses?

What to look for: Certifications like CPR, first aid, or babysitting training. Willingness to learn if not yet certified. Potential red flags: Dismissive attitude about the importance of safety training.

Daily care and responsibilities

4. How do you handle meals, snacks, and cleanup?

What to look for: Comfort with food prep, attention to allergies, and willingness to clean up. Potential red flags: Uncertainty about handling dietary needs or reluctance to clean up.

5. What’s your approach to screen time or entertainment?

What to look for: A balanced approach, including suggestions like outdoor play, crafts, or reading to break away from screen time. Potential red flags: A preference for heavy reliance on screens without flexibility.

6. Are you comfortable with bedtime routines?

What to look for: Clear strategies like reading stories, brushing teeth, or calming activities. Potential red flags: Hesitation about following or enforcing bedtime routines.

Safety and emergencies

7. What would you do in case of an emergency?

What to look for: Calm, step-by-step responses like calling 911, contacting you, and following instructions. Potential red flags: Vague answers, a sense of panic, inability to remain calm under pressure, or lack of a clear plan.

8. How do you handle conflicts between siblings?

What to look for: Fair, calm approaches like redirecting attention or encouraging sharing. Potential red flags: Harsh or punitive strategies that don’t align with your parenting style.

9. Do you have reliable transportation?

What to look for: Clear yes/no answers and a safe, dependable option for transport. Potential red flags: Unreliable or uncertain transportation, especially if driving is required.

Discipline and communication

10. How do you handle tantrums or misbehavior?

What to look for: Consistent, patient methods such as redirection, calm explanations, or positive reinforcement. Potential red flags: Yelling, punishment, or physical discipline.

11. How do you keep parents updated while babysitting?

What to look for: A communication style that matches your preferences, whether it’s frequent updates or only when there are emergencies. Potential red flags: Reluctance to communicate or a style that doesn’t align with your comfort level.

12. What would you do if my child refused to listen?

What to look for: Patience, creativity, and strategies like offering choices or breaking tasks into smaller steps. Potential red flags: Resorting quickly to punishment or showing frustration.

Availability and expectations

13. What’s your availability on weekdays, evenings, or weekends?

What to look for: Alignment with your family’s schedule and needs. Potential red flags: Limited or inconsistent availability if you need regular coverage.

14. Are you open to last-minute or overnight babysitting?

What to look for: Flexibility and honesty about what they can handle. Potential red flags: Overpromising availability or discomfort with your scheduling needs.

15. What are your rates and payment preferences?

What to look for: Clarity, fairness, and consistency with local averages. Potential red flags: Vagueness or unwillingness to commit to a rate.

Read more: How much should you pay a babysitter?

How to test the waters before hiring

Before making a final decision, consider these additional steps:

• Arrange a trial run for a short visit so you can observe how the sitter manages routines in real time.

• Ask for references and follow up with past families to learn about reliability, communication, and rapport.

• Watch how your child responds to the sitter. Their body language and comfort level often say more than the answers you get in the interview.

• Share your household rules and expectations clearly in advance so you can see how the sitter adapts.

When choosing a babysitter, trust your instincts. The right sitter will not only answer your questions confidently but also feel like a natural fit for your child’s personality and your family’s needs.

Looking for ways to keep your family safe even when you’re away? Greenlight offers Family safety features, like location sharing and driving reports*, so you can stay connected and keep an eye on your loved ones even when you’re not there. 

Building trust and peace of mind

The babysitter interview is your chance to set the tone for a safe and respectful relationship. By asking thoughtful questions—and paying attention to both good signs and red flags—you’ll gather the insight you need to make a confident decision.

Want more parenting wins? From budgeting to spending wisely, Greenlight’s family money app teaches money lessons for life. Try Greenlight, one month, risk-free.†

This blog post is provided "as is" and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional advice. Some content in this post may have been created using artificial intelligence; however, every blog post is reviewed by at least two human editors.

*Requires mobile data or a WiFi connection, and access to sensory and motion data from cell phone to utilize safety features including family location sharing and driving alerts and reports. Messaging and data rates and other terms may apply.