10 Tips for Finding a Great Babysitter in Vancouver

Parenting is hard and there aren’t really any breaks. Having a night out with your partner or friends is a great reminder that fun doesn’t have to centre around the joy of your littles. But getting out often involves finding someone to watch your kiddos. Finding your first babysitter is exciting but can also be scary. Weighing up the anxiety of leaving your little ones with the lure of putting the diaper bag down and being a grownup for an evening is tough. Often tougher for the parent than the child.
“Introducing your children to trusted adults outside of your family and friends while they’re young can have long term benefits,” shares Nicole Hughes, Co-Founder of Sunhouse Babysitting Agency. “We see a lot of parents far more anxious about the process than the children themselves. Children can often pick up on nervous energy so it’s important for parents to be comfortable and confident when introducing a childcare provider to the family. Children can relax and enjoy the fun of a dedicated playmate while parents get some much-deserved time for themselves.”

Here are some tips for making the introduction of a new babysitter as smooth as possible for both you and your kiddos.
1. Ask someone you know
For a first timer, having someone you know and are comfortable with can ease that stranger danger fear. If no friends or family are available, ask for recommendations for a reliable sitter or babysitting agency. Familiarity or a personal reference adds a layer of trust and can make the process less intimidating. Even though it feels like an imposition to ask for the favour, friends want to help. Leave good snacks out and they’ll likely offer to do it again.
2. Use a professional service
Services like Sunhouse Babysitting save parents hours of work by sourcing high quality, fully vetted care. A professional service will do full background and reference checks to find capable, professional, and friendly caregivers who share your family values. They provide information on candidates including photos and interests like baking or dogs that can be shared with kids. The comfort of a babysitting service, especially one locally owned, saves time and many of the questions that come from Facebook groups.
3. Have an interview
Once you have a potential babysitter in mind, schedule a face-to-face meeting. This is your chance to get to know their personality, past work, and compatibility with your family. Chat about their previous experiences, childcare philosophy, and how they handle emergencies. Share information about your child and routines as well as your expectations and hopes for the relationship.
4. Check references
If you’re working with a babysitter you don’t know, ask them for a few references of families they’ve looked after before. Chatting with another parent about their experience with a caregiver will give you great insight into the type of care your child will receive and also if personalities are likely to mesh well.
5. Trust your instincts
It’s natural to feel a bit nervous about leaving your child with someone new but trust your instincts when it comes to selecting a babysitter. If something doesn’t feel right, don’t hesitate to keep looking. It’s important that both you and your child feel comfortable and secure.
6. Start small
Before you head out for a full day, test the compatibility of the babysitter and your kiddo with a short trial run. Initially, aske the babysitter to come for an hour or two while you stay in the home, in another room catching up on chores or enjoying uninterrupted time with your favourite book. This will give you comfort as if anything goes wrong (or you get curious) you’re only a few seconds away. This also allows the sitter to ask any questions about your home and your child to get familiar with a new face while you’re close by.
7. Plan and communicate
Put together a list of your child’s routines and any special instructions. Include feeding schedules, nap times, allergies or medical conditions and contact numbers you, or other family members, can be reached at.
For while you’re gone, establish a communication plan with your babysitter. Agree on if and how you’ll check in during your time away. Set expectations for communication clearly.
8. Build a roster
Once you’ve found a great babysitter, repeat the process. Having 2-3 babysitting options is a great way to ensure there’ll always be someone available to watch your child. Having different babysitters for different needs is wise also. Teenagers are great if you’re home or only gone for a few hours whereas a more mature babysitter offers comfort if it’s a late night or a longer shift.
9. Try group care
To keep costs down or to offer your child a night out themselves, look into group babysitting. You could team up with another family needing care the same night or look at programs like Parents Night Out at This World’s Ours Centre where kids enjoy a pizza making party or a movie night while parents have a few hours to dine out or meet friends nearby.
10. Enjoy the kid-free time and let your kids enjoy the babysitter
Going through the process to find a babysitter is a significant step towards carving time for yourself. Enjoy the freedom that comes with balancing your parenting responsibilities with your personal or professional life. Whether it’s a mom’s night out, a networking event or a date with your partner, you deserve it. Encouraging kids to be excited about a babysitter sets the tone that this is a fun night for them also.

“A babysitter’s main goal is to be present with your child. They don’t have any of the normal distractions parents have and children come to understand that really quickly! At Sunhouse we believe that play is children’s currency, and babysitters are experts in play,” says Nicole. “Watching your little one build a friendship with a babysitter is really special. Parents deserve guilt-free time off and the support provided by professional caregivers who love being with their children. We’re thrilled to be part of that support system for Vancouver families!”

With the right approach, getting your first babysitter can be a smooth and positive experience for both kids and parents. Through research and patience, you’ll find a caregiver who will help you enjoy a much-needed break while your child is safe, comfortable and well entertained! It’s a win-win!
Jenn Wint is a writer, communications strategist and a public relations specialist. She is passionate about storytelling and community. Jenn lives in East Vancouver with her husband, 3yo son and 1yo daughter. You’ll find them hanging around Vancouver’s playgrounds, water parks, coffee shops and anywhere that bakes fresh cookies in-house!