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Ask about current training
Ask which organization provided the course, when it was completed and whether the certification is current. Parents may request to see documentation. Training should never be assumed simply because a sitter has experience.
Discuss realistic situations
- What would you do if a child began choking?
- When would you call 911 before calling a parent?
- How would you respond to a severe allergic reaction?
- What would you do if a child fell near a pool?
- How would you keep the other children safe during an emergency?
The goal is not to conduct a medical examination. Listen for calm decision-making, a willingness to call for help and an understanding that emergencies should not be hidden.
Prepare the home
Keep Going First Aid
An organized first aid kit can help families and caregivers find basic supplies quickly when minor injuries happen.
Browse Family First Aid Kits →Explain your child's needs
Tell the sitter about allergies, asthma, seizures, medications or other relevant conditions before confirming the job. Provide written instructions from the appropriate medical professional when needed, and decide whether the responsibility is suitable for that caregiver.
Prepare the home together
Even a trained sitter needs the correct address, parent numbers, emergency contacts and the location of first aid supplies. Review pool barriers, alarms, pets and exits. Clear preparation supports training rather than replacing it.
This guide is educational and is not medical or certification advice.
Understand what the credential actually covers
Ask whether the course included infant, child or adult skills relevant to your family, whether it involved hands-on practice and when the sitter last refreshed the material. A card's existence does not answer how a person will respond under pressure. A parent can ask to see a current certificate and, if needed, confirm its status with the issuing organization. Do not imply that a first aid kit or a short article substitutes for training.
Give the sitter the child's actual care plan
For allergies or other conditions, ask the child's clinician what written instructions and training a caregiver needs. Show where prescribed supplies are kept and review who is authorized and willing to use them. If the sitter is unsure about a task, choose a different care arrangement or get the needed training before the visit. Share the home's address and a second emergency contact even with a familiar sitter.
Listen for the right escalation
In an interview, a useful answer describes getting immediate help for a serious emergency, keeping other children safe and informing parents as soon as it is safe. It should not rely on “I would look it up” while delaying an emergency call. Ask how the sitter would react if a parent cannot be reached, how she would explain the location to responders and whether she has any responsibility she would decline.
Complete the conversation with the written contact sheet and a tour of the home. This is an interview aid, not a test of medical knowledge or a promise about an individual sitter's credentials.