Q: What is the law regarding babysitters?
There is actually no minimum legal age for someone to babysit for a child, but where responsibility lies for the child being cared for is clear. If you leave your child in the care of a person under 16 years old and something happens to the child, then the responsibility lies with you. If the babysitter is over 16 years old, the law states that they can be found guilty of neglect.
The Children's Legal Centre and the NSPCC recommend that children younger than 16 should not babysit, based upon legal responsibility and that they are less aware of potential dangers and risks. If you do hire a babysitter aged under 16, you must be prepared to take responsibility if something goes wrong in your absence.
Q: How do I choose a babysitter?
- Ask friends and neighbours for babysitter recommendations, or approach someone you know.
- Staff at your children's nursery may provide a babysitting service, which will probably be more expensive than a family friend but gives you the peace of mind that they are qualified and experienced in caring for children.
- Think what qualities you would like in a babysitter, such as being responsible, mature, reliable, honest, good with young children and so on.
- Make sure you can be confident that they are a competent person. Perhaps ask for a couple of references from parents they have babysat for or teachers, and follow these up.
- Meet the person personally before you hire them, and trust your instincts.
Q: Should I use my eldest child as a babysitter?
If you are using your eldest child as a babysitter and they are younger than 16, you should expect to take the same responsibility for anything that goes wrong in your absence as you would for a babysitter from outside the family.
Don't forget to ask yourself the same questions as you would when hiring any other babysitter - are they mature enough to look after children? Also, remember that having control over siblings is no easy task - the younger ones will be quick to remind them that they're 'not Mum' and that they have no authority!
Be careful not to take advantage of your eldest child, which can lead to resentment, and always recognise their hard work by giving praise and rewards or paying them.
Q: What precautions should I take?
- Invite the babysitter to your home in advance so they can meet your children. Make sure that you and your children feel comfortable with your choice before you leave children in their care.
- Leave your mobile number and details of where you are going, along with that place's phone number if possible. Also, make sure the babysitter knows how and when to call emergency services.
- If possible, give details of any neighbours that you trust.
- Ensure they know your children's bedtime routines, such as bathing or bedtime story, and house rules, such as not watching the TV or using the computer after a certain time.
- Show your babysitter emergency items, such as a first aid kit, and explain how to turn off any burglar or smoke alarms.
- Provide a snack for the babysitter and outline your expectations, such as whether you're happy for them to invite friends over, help themselves to food and so on.
- Agree the rates of pay in advance.
- Tell them what time you will be returning, and make sure you contact them if you're delayed.
- Arrange suitable transportation home for your babysitter.
Further information: The websites of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, www.rospa.com, and National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, www.nspcc.org.uk, both provide advice on employing babysitters (search for 'babysitting').
The Red Cross offers babysitting training courses. See www.redcross.org.uk