Complete Babysitter & Caregiver Info Checklist

What a good one includes

• Direct contact info for local poison control, pediatricians, and trusted neighbors, alongside your physical home address to assist emergency services quickly.
• A chronological timeline of the day's routines, matching school-day rhythms for meals, naps, homework hours, and wind-down periods.
• Explicit rules on screen time limits, approved educational platforms, and device-free zones within the house.
• Specific phrases, comfort items, or redirection techniques that match your child's emotional needs and communication style.
• Clear instructions on food allergies, medication dosages, administration times, and locations of the first-aid kit.
• Step-by-step guides for arming the security system, locking specific doors, and operating tricky appliances or thermostats.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Writing long, dense paragraphs of text instead of using highly visible bullet points and bold headers for fast scanning.
• Forgetting to write down the exact physical home address, assuming the caregiver has it memorized or can easily look it up in an emergency.
• Leaving out the subtle behavioral triggers or comforting bedtime rituals that prevent meltdowns and ensure smooth transitions.
• Failing to clearly define what constitutes an emergency versus a situation where they should simply text you for a non-urgent decision.

Frequently asked questions