Preparing Your Caregiver for While You're Away
It’s never easy to leave your child in someone else’s care, but there are things you can do to ensure your child’s health and safety while you’re away. Follow these simple steps:
- Introduce the caregiver to your child, allowing them to interact and get comfortable with one another.
- Provide a tour of your home, highlighting important items such as door locks, security systems, telephones, smoke alarms, and safety gates and latches, as well as where the child sleeps, the location of snacks and food, and designated play areas.
- Make sure your caregiver is trained in basic first aid and CPR, and knows how to perform the Heimlich maneuver. If there are potential safety hazards, such as a pool, make sure your caregiver is aware of them.
- Leave written instructions for feeding, bathing, and sleeping. And, provide detailed information in case of emergency. We've prepared a Babysitter Emergency Information Form for you to fill out with all of the necessary information.
Taking the time to inform your caregiver will ensure that your child is in good hands while you’re away. A little preparation goes a long way in keeping your child safe!