How to Hire a Nanny or Babysitter Safely
A safety-first guide to hiring a nanny or babysitter — the questions to ask, training and references to check, and the house checklist to prepare.
By ApnaWorker - reviewed by ApnaWorker Editorial Team - updated 2026-06-16T13:37:58.187813+00:00
Choosing someone to care for your child is one of the most important hiring decisions you will ever make. Warmth matters, but so do training, references, and clear safety checks — because you are trusting this person with what matters most.
This guide walks through the questions to ask, the background checks to run, and the house checklist to prepare so you can hire a nanny or babysitter with real confidence.
Ask about experience and approach
Start with open-ended questions to understand their background: the age groups they have cared for, how long, and their overall approach to childcare. Their answers reveal both experience and temperament.
Listen for someone who is patient, attentive, and genuinely enjoys children. How they describe handling everyday situations tells you a great deal about how they will care for yours.
- Ask which age groups they have cared for, and for how long.
- Ask about their overall approach to childcare.
- Listen for patience, attentiveness, and warmth.
Check safety training and emergency readiness
Ask specifically about safety training — CPR, first aid, and where relevant water safety — and request proof of certification. Also ask whether they know current safe-sleep recommendations for babies.
Dig into how they would handle real emergencies: a child choking, a fall, or a sudden illness. You want someone who stays calm, knows the steps, and would call for help promptly.
- Confirm CPR, first aid, and relevant safety training.
- Ask about safe-sleep practices for babies.
- Test how they would handle a real emergency.
Run background checks and call references
No matter how well you connect, run a background check — it provides crucial information and protection. Where available, that can include criminal and other public-record checks beyond a basic web search.
Speak directly with past employers too. A short, honest conversation reveals reliability, how they interacted with children, and whether the family would hire them again.
- Always run a background check, even if you click well.
- Go beyond a basic web search where possible.
- Call past employers about reliability and conduct.
Do a trial and watch the interaction
Arrange a paid trial where the candidate spends time with your child while you are nearby. Watch how they engage — are they attentive, gentle, and responsive, or distracted?
How a child responds to them is also telling. A trial reveals far more than any interview answer about whether this is the right person for your family.
- Arrange a paid trial with you nearby.
- Watch for attentive, gentle, responsive care.
- Notice how your child responds to them.
Prepare a home safety checklist
Once you hire, set them up to succeed. Give a tour and share the essentials: emergency contacts, allergies, routines, house rules, and food-safety notes. Show where the first-aid kit, fire extinguisher, and flashlights are.
Clear instructions prevent most problems. On ApnaWorker you can view caregiver profiles, see verified contacts, and message candidates directly, making it easier to find and check the right person.
- Share emergency contacts, allergies, and routines.
- Show first-aid kit, fire extinguisher, and exits.
- Write down house rules and food-safety notes.
Frequently asked questions
What should I ask when interviewing a nanny or babysitter?
Start with open-ended questions about experience and approach, then ask specifically about CPR, first aid, and safe-sleep knowledge, and how they would handle emergencies. Their answers reveal both competence and temperament.
Do I really need a background check if I trust them?
Yes. No matter how well you connect, a background check provides crucial information and legal protection. Where possible, go beyond a basic web search and also speak directly with past employers.
How do I test if a caregiver is right for my child?
Arrange a paid trial with you nearby and watch how they engage — attentive, gentle, and responsive care is what you want. How your child responds to them tells you more than any interview answer.
What should I prepare before leaving my child with a sitter?
A home safety checklist: emergency contacts, allergies, routines, and house rules, plus a tour showing the first-aid kit, fire extinguisher, exits, and flashlights. Clear instructions prevent most problems.