A little prep makes a big difference, especially the first time a new sitter comes over. Here’s a simple checklist so you can walk out the door feeling good.
Before the sitter arrives
- Write down your phone numbers. Include yours, your partner’s, and one backup adult who lives nearby.
- Share where you’ll be and about when you’ll be home.
- List any allergies or health notes, and what to do if something comes up. Show the sitter where medicines, bandages and the first-aid kit are.
- Write out the food plan. What can the kids eat, and what’s off-limits? Are there snack rules?
- Explain the bedtime routine. Bath? Books? Night-light? Door open or closed? Kids behave best when the routine feels normal.
- Set screen-time rules. How much, which shows or games, and when it ends.
- Mention house rules. Rooms that are off-limits, pets that shouldn’t go outside, anything that’s “only with a grown-up”.
When the sitter gets there
Take five minutes for a quick walk-through:
- Show them the exits, and how to lock and unlock the doors.
- Point out the kitchen basics and where the snacks are.
- Introduce the pets, if you have them.
- Show where the kids’ pajamas, diapers and wipes are.
- Let the kids show the sitter a favorite toy or game. It’s the fastest way to break the ice!
Keep sensitive info private
Share details like door codes, medical information and your address directly with your sitter, not in public posts or online forms. At Starlight Sitters we go over those details privately once a booking is confirmed, never through the website.
After the night
A quick “how did it go?” helps everyone. Ask what the kids ate, how bedtime went, and if anything came up. If it went great, a kind word or a review means a lot to a young sitter.
Looking for a sitter in Decatur or Avondale Estates? Eloise babysits kids ages 2–11, and brings her own box of toys and games. Request a date.