A babysitting interview is your chance to show families why you’re the best candidate to care for their little ones. Many sitters wonder what to say in a babysitting interview, but being prepared, knowledgeable, and confident makes all the difference.
Our step-by-step guide offers babysitting interview tips to showcase your skills, answer common questions, and leave parents feeling excited to hire you.
1. Do your pre-interview prep
Acing your babysitting interview starts long before the conversation even begins. With a little pre-interview preparation, you’ll present yourself as an organized sitter with the expertise the family needs. These babysitting interview tips will get you started off on the right foot.
Best ways to prepare:
- Compile all relevant documents and references. Have child care certifications on hand (like CPR or first aid training), and round up a list of references from previous babysitting jobs. (Don’t forget to let your references know you’re interviewing so they can expect a call!)
- Learn more about the family and their needs. If you connected through a child care app (like SitterTree), review the family’s profile. Note the ages of the children, the schedule requested, and the responsibilities and expectations for the job. If the family has fun facts in their profile that you relate to—like a shared interest or favorite sport—think of ways to weave them into the conversation!
- If your interview is in-person, plan your route in advance and aim to arrive 5-10 minutes early. If your interview is by phone or on a video call, set up a quiet, well-lit area to take the call. Spend a few minutes before the call starts to center yourself and review your notes.
2. Make a strong first impression
Parents often decide within the first few minutes of a babysitting interview if you’re a good fit.
Tips for a great first impression
- Arrive on time and dress neatly—whether it’s a phone interview or in-person!
- Greet the parents and kids with a warm smile. Mention something specific about what the child is doing to build a connection. For instance, if they’re playing with a racecar, ask them what kind of car it is and how fast it goes.
- Be polite—shake hands, offer to remove your shoes and compliment the home.
- Be confident! Smile and show your personality. You’ll be a key player in this family’s daily life, and they want to know the real you!
3. Know how to speak about your experiences and strengths
It’s important for parents to understand your background and skills before hiring you. The interview is your chance to share details about what makes you shine as a sitter. Don’t get caught on the spot! Brush up on your resume, and be ready to share details about your experience.
What to highlight:
- Age range specialty: Let parents know which age groups of children you specialize in—from infants and toddlers to preschoolers, school-aged children, and beyond. Mention specific age ranges, what you love about caring for them, and describe how your expertise with a specific age group can benefit the family.
- Amount of children you’ve worked with: For parents seeking care for multiple children, it’s important to showcase relevant experience. If you’ve juggled the needs of a family with three children, let them know! Love having your hands full with a wild toddler and cuddly infant? Have years of daycare experience? Share this information with the family.
- Certifications and training: Safety is top of mind for parents. Highlight any relevant qualifications, including CPR training, first aid training, special needs training, and more.
- Unique skillsets: Think outside the box for this one! Are you bilingual? Bring it up—perhaps the family values this, but forgot to include it in the job listing. Were you a swim instructor last summer? Let them know about this, too! Many parents are eager to hire a babysitter who can fill other needs for the family.
Examples
“I adore working with toddlers and infants. In my last role, I cared for an 8-month-old and a three-year-old for about 5 hours at a time. I loved mealtimes—creating a safe environment for the baby to explore food was such a treat! I’m also CPR-certified and fluent in Spanish—I’d be happy to teach your children some basic words if it’s of interest!”
“I am an expert in caring for groups of children. I’ve volunteered in my church nursery for about 5 years, working with 4-year-olds and under. Plus, I worked in the 2’s room at a daycare for about 3 years. This, combined with my first aid training and focus on safety, lets me know I’d be a perfect fit for your rambunctious family of 5.”
4. Be ready to discuss activities you enjoy
Parents seek sitters who actively engage with their kids. Think about activities you love and how they might align with the family’s preferences. Be honest and don’t be afraid to share what makes you unique!
What to mention:
- If you can whip up a DIY craft with just a few household items, share this. Crafts can be silly and sweet, but they’re a valuable component of learning. In fact, art has been shown to be important to childhood development.
- Sports or outdoor activities. Even if you’re not a star soccer player, sharing how exercise and recreation are important to you reassures families you’ll keep their kids active. Most parents are relieved to return home to a worn-out kiddo!
- How you plan age-appropriate activities. Having a plan is critical to a successful day of babysitting. Parents want to see that you’ll come prepared with entertainment ideas catered to the needs of their children.
Examples
"Not to brag—but I won a knitting competition three years in a row. Crafting is my go-to specialty, and organizing age-appropriate projects with simple supplies is what I do best. I think creative activities are an ideal way to keep kids engaged and learning."
"I’m on my college tennis team, and being outside is my favorite way to spend the day. When the weather allows, I’m always finding fun ways to keep kids active, including scavenger hunts, kicking a ball around, and even teaching them fun drills and exercises—if that’s something you approve of! Having a healthy outlet for pent-up energy is so important for kids, and I’m happy to help them find safe ways to do just that."
5. Be prepared to talk about safety
Safety is typically a top focus area for parents in a babysitting interview, like it is for you as a babysitter on the job. Be ready to answer questions about your approach to keeping kids safe, and take this component of the interview very seriously.
Key areas to cover:
- Safe sleep: If you’ve worked with infants, explain how you follow safe sleep guidelines, like placing babies on their backs to sleep, and not allowing blankets or toys in the crib.
- Emergency preparedness: If you have a babysitting certification, let the parents know. Highlight any CPR or first aid certifications, and share how you’d handle emergencies.
- Meal safety: Describe how you manage food preparation and avoid choking hazards.
- Environmental safety: Explain how you keep the babysitting environment safe—removing all hazards, keeping exterior doors locked, and ensuring children are watched and cared for at all times.
Examples
"I’m CPR-certified and always check bottle temperatures before serving. I follow the latest guidelines on cutting food (based on the child’s age range) to avoid choking hazards. Please let me know if this aligns with your process. I take safety very seriously and make sure I am always alert for hazards or potential dangers."
"Keeping kids safe at all times is my highest priority. If we’re crafting, I make sure I’m assisting with safety scissors and keeping other sharp or hot objects out of reach. If I need to step away to use the restroom during my shift, I always make sure each child is contained in a safe area and the home is properly secured."
6. Show how you handle specific needs
If the family mentions their child has allergies, dietary restrictions, or other unique needs, demonstrate your understanding and willingness to accommodate them.
Key areas to cover:
- Experience working with children with unique needs and requirements, like a diapering or medicine protocols.
- Attention to detail when preparing food for children with allergies, including reading ingredient labels, properly cleaning kitchen supplies and utensils, and keeping allergens well out of reach.
Examples
"I’ve worked with kids with severe peanut allergies before, so I’m very careful about checking labels and keeping surfaces clean. I always ask parents for clear instructions to ensure I follow their routine perfectly."
"My last family had an infant that required a very specific diapering protocol. I made sure to take notes, ask questions, and follow the process exactly as described for each and every change."
7. Be honest about your experience
One of the most important pieces of the parent-babysitter relationship is trust. Be completely honest and transparent during your interview. If you’re new to babysitting, don’t panic and don’t exaggerate your experience. Instead, focus on your transferable skills.
Examples
"I’ve mostly babysat for my own family, including cousins and nieces. But, I’ve gained a lot of experience through my church nursery. I’ve taken important courses like CPR training, and I’m eager to expand my skills. My attention to detail and love of working with kids would make me a great fit for your family."
"I don’t have a ton of babysitting experience, but I’ve worked the last four summers as a camp counselor. This has given me a wealth of experience with school-aged kids, which makes me a great fit to care for your kids after school. Plus, the camp taught me the value of combining fun and learning, which I’d be sure to apply on the job."
8. Explain how you respond to emergencies
Staying calm and being prepared is critical in an emergency situation. Explain your process for handling the unexpected.
Examples
"If a child fell and got hurt, I’d first ensure they were safe and comfortable. Then, I’d call you right away to explain what happened and follow your instructions."
"If the power went out while I was babysitting, I’d first make sure the children were in a safe space. I’d locate a flashlight and radio if available. (I always make sure I know where the emergency items are in a home before my first job.) I’d keep the children calm and comfortable. If cell service was available, I’d call you immediately. If not, I would wait until it was restored and be in touch with you right away."
9. Highlight reliability and commitment
Families often look for sitters they can count on long-term. Share examples of your dependability, your goals for the job, and how you communicate with families.
Examples
"I’ve worked with one family for over two years. They appreciate how I always arrive on time, keep them updated, and help their kids feel comfortable and happy."
"I’m seeking long-term babysitting opportunities, and I’d love to be a reliable helping hand for your family for years to come. I’m someone you can count on for regular babysitting and I’m usually available for last-minute needs as they come up."
10. Prepare questions for the family
Asking thoughtful questions is one of the best babysitting interview tips we can offer. It shows you’re serious about the job and ready to provide the best child care possible. Prepare questions in advance based on what you’ve learned about the role and the family. You won’t need to ask all of these—just select a few that are relevant to the job. Add your own based on what you know about the family, children, and job.
Examples of questions to ask parents
Related to the job:
- What is the hourly rate for the role?
- How do you complete payment and on what cadence?
- Will I be responsible for any transportation for the children?
- Are there other household responsibilities that you expect me to take care of?
- Does this role involve any meal preparation or meal serving?
- How do you prefer me to communicate with you during a job?
Related to the children:
- Will you provide a daily schedule for the children?
- If your child is not interested in eating at meal or snack time, how would you like me to proceed?
- Would you like updates on how much your child ate, wet diapers, nap times, etc.? Would you prefer this during the job or after?
- If your child gets upset, what works best to calm them down?
- What is your discipline strategy and how would you like me to adhere to it as the babysitter?
- Is there a special toy, blanket, or comfort item that helps your child feel secure?
- What are your rules on screen-time?
11. Be comfortable talking about your babysitting rate
Negotiating an hourly rate for a babysitting job can be intimidating, but it doesn’t need to be. Ideally, make sure the family’s hourly rate range aligns with yours before interviewing.
If, during the interview process, additional responsibilities are added to the job description, the hourly rate range changes, or you receive an offer at the low end of the hourly rate range, it’s time to negotiate.
Here are a few negotiation tips to help you earn the rate you’re worth:
- Use your skills, experience, and qualifications to negotiate your rate.
- Research market babysitting rates for babysitting jobs and know your value.
- Consider scaling your rate. For instance, you can agree to work for 60 days at [X] rate, then increase to [X] rate once the probationary period is over.
- Be confident! Approach the conversation gracefully and directly. Don’t feel bad for requesting the rate you’re worth, but always be polite.
Example
“Based on my 3 years of babysitting experience, my experience with multiple children, my CPR certification, and market rates in our city, my rate for a role like this would be $[XX per hour]. I’d love to work with your family, and believe I would be an invaluable asset. Could you go up to $[XX per hour]?”
12. End on a positive note
Close the interview by thanking the parents for their time and expressing your continued interest in the position.
Examples
"Thank you for taking the time to meet with me! I’d love the opportunity to work with your family. My experience and babysitting style align with your family’s goals perfectly. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out!"
"It’s been such a pleasure to get to know your family. I’d be grateful for the opportunity to work with you.”
13. Post-interview follow-up
After your babysitting interview, following up is crucial to showing your interest and landing the job. But be sure to give the family a few days to make a decision. The interview process can be overwhelming, and you want to respect that!
Follow-up steps and timeline:
- Within 24 hours: Send a thank you text message or email. Confirm any details about the job (including your rate, availability, and start date), thank them for their time, and let them know of your continued interest.
- Within 5-7 days: If you haven’t heard anything in 5–7 days (or past the decision date they gave), send a polite follow-up.
If offered the job, express your gratitude and excitement and request confirmation of the job details. If the family selects someone else, thank them for considering you. Keep your connection and be professional—they just may hire you in the future!
Examples:
Within 24 hours:
Hi [Parent's Name],
Thanks again for meeting with me [today/yesterday]! I enjoyed learning about your family and would love the chance to work with you. Let me know if you have any questions—I’m happy to help!
Best,
[Your Name]
Within 5-7 days:
Hi [Parent’s Name],
I hope you’re doing well! I just wanted to follow up to see if you’ve made a decision about the babysitting position. I’m still very interested and would love the opportunity to work with your family. Let me know if there’s anything else you need from me!
Best,
[Your Name]
If offered the position:
Hi [Parent’s Name],
Thank you so much—I'm excited to work with your family! Just to confirm, I’ll be starting on [start date] at [start time]. My rate is [$XX/hour], and I’ll be watching [Child’s Name(s)] on [days/times]. Let me know if there's anything else you'd like me to prepare or bring!
Looking forward to it!
[Your Name]
If the position goes to someone else:
Hi [Parent’s Name],
Thank you for letting me know, and I really appreciated the opportunity to meet you and your family. I completely understand, and I’d love to stay in touch in case you ever need backup care or future help!
Wishing you all the best,
[Your Name]
Show families why you’re the perfect fit for their needs
A babysitting interview is your chance to shine, so take the time to prepare, be honest about your skills, and show parents why you’re the best fit for their family. With these babysitting interview tips, you’ll know exactly what to say in a babysitting interview!
If you’re still hoping to find babysitting jobs in your area, consider using one of the best child care apps. When you create a profile on SitterTree, you’ll browse jobs and connect with families in minutes. Then, you can put these babysitting interview tips to the test!