Questions to Ask a Babysitter

When faced with the challenge of hiring a new baby-sitter, most parents fantasize about Mary Poppins floating down on their doorstep. Unfortunately, finding a new sitter isn't so easy. What's the best way to choose the person responsible for preserving household harmony in your absence? Of course, you must request references and call them. But equally important is to ask open-ended interview questions that demand an explanation, suggests Martin Yate, an employment consultant and author of Hiring the Best (Bob Adams Inc., 1990).

Some examples:

What would you do if the children refused to follow your instructions?

What would you feed my children while I'm gone? Describe three meals you might prepare.

What steps would you take if one of the children developed a fever?--Robin D. Laws