16 Babysitting Qualifications (Which Ones Do You Need?)

Babysitters love being with kids and the flexibility provided by being a babysitter. But in order to have a babysitter you can trust, the parent founder team at Swishboom put together their top 16 characteristics and qualifications of babysitters that they trust:

- Babysitters should adhere to your desired schedules. Babysitters should consistently arrive promptly and respect your families desired schedules or routines.
- Babysitters who are positive and don’t talk negatively about previous employers or other families
- Babysitters who are fun and play with your kids in age - appropriate play
- Babysitters who respect and align their discipline with your families’ desired methods
- Babysitters should have strong communication skills to be able to troubleshoot situations that arise between the kids and convey this to the parents
- Babysitters should use appropriate judgement. There will be situations where they are going to have to make decisions and you want your babysitter to make sound decisions
- Babysitters should use strong judgement on whom they allow to be around their families
- Babysitters should show respect to the family home
- Babysitters should use kind words and tone with children
- Babysitters should never resort to physical discipline with children and allows have conversations with parents on discipline measures
- Babysitters should maintain a safe and clean vehicle if having to transport children during the job
- Babysitter should have good judgement on what is age-appropriate conversations and topics with the children
- Babysitters who are present while watching your children and not spending more time on their phone
- Babysitters who come recommended from your friends and family or with high praises from references
- Babysitters who are able to be flexible with changes. Kids require adaptability and babysitters who can “roll with the punches” are able to navigate kids
- Babysitters who maintain good personal hygiene and maintain a clean personal image.

Parents have a good “gut check” if someone will be a good fit for their family and family values. Using that is the MOST IMPORTANT indicator for a successful babysitting and family partnership.