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A guide to babysitting in Dublin

Before you arrive

• Give some thought to activities that you will do with the children if they will be awake for a portion of the evening. Make sure these are safe,
  age appropriate activities that you can do together.
  Some ideas: In the evening in is important to engage the children in quiet activities enabling the children to "wind down" before bed. For younger children, play a quiet game or read them stories. Children between 4 and 7 years old may like to play boardgames or do jigsaws.
  If the child is older than 7, they may prefer to keep themselves busy. Leaving children to engage in their own activities is fine as long as you take responsibility to ensure they are safe and that the parents wishes are carried out at all times.
  
  For more ideas, see our babysitting games page.
  
  
• Do not let any child watch TV, or use a computer and/or the Internet unless the parent has given permission and even then you must monitor content very closely.
• Bring along a book, or something to do while the children sleep.
  Don't assume that you will be able to use the TV, computer, etc.
  

When you arrive

• Make sure you get a list of the following essential contact details from the parents:
  - Both parents mobile numbers
  - Phone number for the place the parents are going, if possible
  - Neighbour / relative / friend
  - Family doctor
  - Local Gardai
  - Local hospital
  - Phone number & address of the house you are at
  - Remember to call 999 or 112 in case of an emergency
  
  
• Ask the parents for details of any allergies the children have. You need
  to know what to avoid, severity of the allergy, what symptoms to look out for, and what do in case of a reaction.
  
  
• If the parents ask you to give their child medication you should ask
  them to write down the name & dosage of the medicine. If you feel that the child needs pain relief (eg Neurofen or Calpol) due to the onset of a cold, temperature, etc, phone the parents for permission and dosage, even if the child tells you they may have the medicine.
  
  
• You will also want to know bedtimes, allowed snacks, allowed games and activities, and any rules governing behavior and misbehavior.
  Many children have a bedtime routine, knowing these details will go a long way to keeping them comfortable and happy.
  
  
• When you arrive at the parents' house for the first time ask them to show you around so you know where everything is.
  
  
• Don't be afraid to ask questions, the more you know the better you can do the job.
  
  
• Ask the parents if there any house rules regarding what you may or may not do. This is especially important regarding food and using the TV, computer or phone. Remember to respect the family's privacy in their home.
  

During the evening

• If the children are asleep before you arrive at their home it is your responsibility to ensure they continue to sleep. It is therefore
  advisable to keep music or the TV volume to a reasonably low level.
  It is also not advisable to use earphones as you won't be able to
  hear the children.
• When babysitting don't leave children alone. You should be alert to hazards around the home such as unclosed gates, toys left on stairs, appliances left on or small objects children could choke on.
• Don't leave children unattended near water. Drowning is quick, silent and can happen in very shallow water.
• Don't smoke, passive cigarette smoke is harmful for children.
• Keep to the house rules. Don't invite friends over and don't use the phone or internet unless the parents have told you it's okay.
  

When the parents arrive home

• Give the parents an account of the evening, ie tell them what the
  children did, if they woke up, etc.
• Talk to them about any problems you've had. It's better to be upfront about problems, rather than have the parents find out later.
• Make sure you leave the house as you found it, that means washing
  out your coffee cup, tidying away after yourself and the children, etc.