Steps to Selecting the Right Caregiver
Follow these steps to gather information, evaluate your options, and ultimately determine which caregiver is the best fit for your family.
Screen
Conduct initial screening to develop a short list of caregivers who fit your family’s needs.
Review Caregiver Profiles
Find the caregivers who meet your requirements by reviewing the information in their profiles, including experience, education, certifications and hourly rate.
Read Parent Reviews
Get a feel for how caregivers perform on the job by reading reviews by Sittercity parents who have had experience with them.
Run a Background Check
Background checks can provide important information to your caregiver screening process. We recommend running a basic criminal records check on each caregiver you intend to interview, followed by additional records checks at later stages in the process. To run a basic criminal records check, simply call Customer Success at 888.748.2489 and they will help coordinate your request with our provider, TalentWise. It's important to note that there are limitations with all criminal records checks. For details about what sources are included in the basic criminal records database search, click here.
Interview
Once you’ve narrowed your search to three to five candidates, it’s time to conduct interviews. Not sure what to ask? Find questions for every stage of the process in our Interview Questions.
Conduct a Phone Interview
Start with a brief phone interview with each caregiver. If the phone interview goes well, schedule a second, in-person interview.
Meet for an In-Person Interview
For your initial in-person interview, you may want to meet the caregivers at a coffee shop or other public place. That way, you can further evaluate each caregiver before inviting them into your home.
Arrange an In-home Interview
If you’re feeling good about a caregiver, invite the caregiver over to see how they interact with your family, and vice versa. This is also a good time to speak to the caregiver about the specifics of the job and your expectations.
Evaluate
Once you’re done with interviews, you might feel like you’ve found the perfect caregiver. Great! Just take a few more steps before you make your final decision.
Check References
Reach out to the references listed on the caregiver’s profile to gain additional insight, and don’t hesitate to request additional references. Be sure to ask about the information your potential caregiver has given you and their overall manner.
Search Online
Chances are your potential caregiver—like all of us—has left a trail of activity online. Search the caregiver’s name and check out social media activity to spot any red flags.
Run Additional Background Checks
We always recommend running more comprehensive records checks on your selected caregiver before your final decision. The following additional records checks can provide more information about the background of the caregiver to help you make your final decision. To run the following checks, simply call Customer Success at 888.748.2489.
- Motor Vehicle Records Checks search a state's motor vehicles records database.
- Enhanced Criminal Records Checks search for felony and misdemeanor criminal records in the county courthouse based on the given address.
Monitor
Once you’ve hired a caregiver, it’s important to remain diligent and observe your caregiver on the job to ensure nothing has changed and that your child continues to get great care.
Assess the Match
Caregiver Warning Signs
Watch for warning signs from your caregiver, like lack of energy and enthusiasm, a patronizing attitude, or reluctance to change. If your child acts disinterested when the caregiver arrives, it may be a sign of a mismatch.
Child Warning Signs
Stay alert for the following signs - they may indicate something more serious than a poor match:
- Caregiver blames the child for problems/issues the child did not cause
- Caregiver demands a level of perfect behavior that no child can meet
- Child's behavior changes drastically (becomes excessively clingy or aggressive)
- Child cries, screams, and begs you not to leave when the caregiver arrives
- Child develops unexplained bruises, cuts or burns
- Child loses appetite or starts having recurrent nightmares
These are just a handful of examples, not an exhaustive list. We recommend if you observe any warning signs, take action immediately.
Communicate
Talk To Your Caregiver
Maintain a good relationship with your caregiver through frequent communication. Be sure to get at least a quick five-minute report from your caregiver when you return home. Once a month or more, sit down with your caregiver and get their perspective on how things are going.
Talk To Your Child
Ask your child open-ended questions about his or her day, but try not to judge or lead during the discussion. Respect your child’s feelings and always take them seriously, especially negative comments.
Observe
Keep an eye out for any sudden behavioral changes or drastic mood swings, or any of the warning signs we mentioned above. As for your caregiver, pay attention to suspicious decisions or actions.
Ask a Neighbor
Enlist a trusted neighbor to keep a casual eye on things when you are gone. Ask them to let you know if anything seems questionable.
Come Home Unannounced
An unexpected drop-in lets you see how your caregiver interacts with your child. It’s a great way to get a true feel for how things are going when you’re not there.
Install a Nanny Camera
Installing a nanny camera often helps parents ease any fears about leaving their child with a caregiver.
Leaving your child with a new caregiver can be tough; with these tips, you’ll feel more secure and confident that you’ve found the right fit for your family. In return, your caregiver will feel trusted and valued—a great start to building a strong relationship with one of the most important people in your child’s life.