When entrusting another human being with the lives of your sweet babies, you need to ensure that they are prepared for anything, and babysitting forms can help you do that. These printable templates are a great way to organize all the pertinent information your babysitter may need throughout their stay and in case of an emergency. This makes certain that you avoid any confusion between you, your babysitter, and your child, and it can give you a detailed picture of how your child's day went while you were away.
Top Babysitting Forms for Parents to Fill Out
You should go over the house rules and your children's schedules with your sitter before you go, but talking to them isn't always enough. Leaving detailed babysitting forms with emergency information is key. Parents can also leave their babysitter with other forms to complete throughout the day, so when they return home, they'll be up to speed. If you need help downloading the printable information forms, check out these helpful tips.
Emergency Contact Form
One important form is the Emergency Contact Form. Not only should you leave your name and numbers, but you also need to include contact information for reliable neighbors, relatives, and any others who can help if a problem arises. Include emergency contacts such as your child's pediatrician and dentist, the hospital location and phone number, and even the information for where you'll be, such as a restaurant, movie theater, or event. Review this information with the sitter so that they know who to contact if something unplanned occurs.
Babysitting Information Sheet
Another important form to complete is the babysitting information sheet. This form tells the babysitter a bit about your kids and provides specific instructions on what they should or shouldn't do while you are away. It also lets parents specify in writing any special medications, dietary needs, or other instructions important for their child's care.
Not only is this the best way to ensure that your children are cared for properly, but it also eliminates any confusion about your kids' specific needs. If it's in writing, then there's no argument around the subject. This babysitting instructions template can eliminate battles like "momma lets me stay up until midnight" or "I always get to have 10 cookies" because mom and dad have clearly written out the rules and expectations.
Print babysitter forms, printable checklists, and other pertinent information and place them in an easily accessible spot for the babysitter. While no one wants to imagine a medical emergency, you must be prepared for such an occurrence. If you have all the information that your babysitter might need written and displayed in a prominent area, they can quickly take the steps to get the help they need while taking care of your baby.
Stay Informed on Your Child's Care
Emergency and contact forms are crucial, but other types of babysitting information sheets can be useful as well. Moms and dads often spend much of their time away from home working, and being able to come home to an overview of their family's day can keep all parties on the same page and equally involved in daily childcare tasks. A printable form detailing the day's events like mealtimes, nap times, potty training, and kids' general moods will let mom and dad plan out the rest of their day.
Another useful document that babysitters can fill out during their visit is an activity form. Coming through the door at the end of the workday can be stressful and overwhelming. Mom and dad are tired, the babysitter may need to get somewhere else, and the kids are typically clawing at their parents for attention.
In the midst of this shift change, much can get lost in translation. A simple activity form can help make this transition easier. On this form, babysitters can jot down notes about what fun things they did with the kids in the morning, afternoon, and evening hours.
Fun events like a trip to the library, a walk through the park, or an afternoon playing with play dough might find their way onto a form such as this one. They can also record any special trips out of the house or notes about friends or neighbors they spent time with during the day on this form.
Make Sure Your Babysitter Is Prepared for Anything
Babysitting forms are like an insurance policy. They ensure that the person watching your child can handle a crisis and deal with the minor struggles that can arise while you're away. This can be beneficial for babysitters and neighbors who are watching your kids for a few hours, as well as grandparents who may watch them for a few days.
Depending on how long you plan to be away, it can also be beneficial to provide your babysitter with a medical consent form. This can expedite your child's care if they get hurt or sick. Be sure to save and print this form to use with everyone who cares for your child now and in the future. Also, don't forget to review all forms regularly to make sure you have the latest numbers for doctors and dentists, just in case the babysitter needs them.
Other Information to Provide on Babysitting Forms
Some parents may need to modify their babysitting information sheet to suit their particular needs. This is especially important for kids who have severe allergies and may require the use of an EPIPEN in an emergency or for kids with diabetes who need help regularly checking their blood sugar levels on their blood glucose meter. Parents should have their babysitter arrive early to go over how to use these devices, as well as signs and symptoms to watch out for if their child has an issue. They should also detail this information on their babysitting forms.
