Interviewing Potential Sitters

I always interviewed at my house since that is where she would be working.

Most of mine were word of mouth from neighbors and friends I knew so it was never a flat out stranger.

TTt,

When I interviewed potential babysitters? They were referred to me by others. I ended up using our Black Belt Masters from our Tae Kwon Do - no one messes with Masters! :)

Interview over the phone.
Reference checks.
In person - with you alone. Then with you and the kid(s).

I've never used a babysitter that I didn't already know or that wasn't a friend of a friend.

I used mostly adults too. I know there are a lot of teens out there that want to make extra money and they'd be good too but again, daughters and sons of people I already knew.

When I owned my child care center I had a couple of ladies that I connected with parents that called to see if I had any employees that did babysitting after hours. My staff went through child care background checks and had over 20 hours per year of specialized child care training.

I liked to observe them with my kids. So with our children's regular babysitter (for date nights, etc.) we met her as she worked in our kids' daycare classes. I had observed her with children. I knew I liked the look of her.

When we hired an in-home sitter (where I left my little one during the work day) I brought my child to the meeting, and just did a casual interview. I saw how natural she was with my son.

We tried out/interviewed a few. One was not at all into my son, just wanted to stay home with her kids. We met at her house and I saw one of her kids was a handful and she was preoccupied with him whole time. So we didn't go with her.

So I think at your home (if that's where they will look after your child/ren) and have them meet your kid(s). I'd go with the one where they connect and she's responsible.

I usually met the families I sat for at playgrounds when I was a teen. Or the mall or a store... I was a natural pied piper and the kids just came to me and parents saw my interaction and wanted me to babysit.

I had a live-in nanny for a few years. We spoke on the phone first, then I interviewed her in person at the lobby of my condo building, with my mom in tow, because I thought my mom might be able to pick up on things I might not have, or have other questions I may have forgotten. I had a lot on my mind, I was still somewhat young and naive, and certainly not experienced when it came to nannies or even caring for children -- I was learning as I was going along, like many of you. After that meeting, when I thought she seemed like a good fit, I brought her to my place, so she could see her new bedroom and the rest of the living arrangements, gave her a tour of the gym, spa, etc., so she could decide whether she wanted the job or not.

She was very happy with everything, so then I had a third meeting where I was able to see her interact with my child in my own home. That was pretty much my "final" interview. Of course, I requested 3 references, and followed up on those too. I don't think I would want to invite someone to my home from the get-go, in case I decide not to hire her, and she becomes obnoxious and starts coming by asking why I didn't hire her or call her back. I would only do that if I feel comfortable with the person. I saw on one of those TruTV/ID Discovery channels where someone retaliated for not being hired for a job by breaking into the home and stealing. You never know anymore and my state of Florida is known for its nuts (as in nutty characters, not the fruits). Maybe I'm somewhat paranoid, but better safe than sorry, especially when it involves the safety of my child.

Babysitters were always folk I already knew unless I had moved to a new area (yes, I was an Army wife). I prefer older church ladies over teens.

First phone interview. Then at my house to see how they interact with the kids.

Phone interview might sound strange because it's hard to learn a lot about a person over the phone, but you'd be surprised how many potential sitters no-show for the call - which lets me weed out unreliable people more quickly.

ETA: Oh, yes WW's response reminded me, I always ask for 3 references during the phone interviews and call those before I set up the in-person interview.