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Babysitting


The NSPCC and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) both recommend the following when selecting a babysitter:

  • Choose a babysitter over sixteen years old.
  • No child under sixteen should be left to care for an infant.
  • Always ask for at least two references and contact the referees yourself.

RoSPA also suggests that parents should consider all possible eventualities (complete a risk assessment) before leaving their children with a babysitter.

Further guidance on choosing a baby sitter is available from RoSPA and the NSPCC:

As there is no requirement for babysitters to be 'registered' and no legislation exists to govern this type of childcare, the Council does not hold lists of people who offer babysitting services. Parents may find a sitter by asking friends or relatives for recommendations or by looking in the Yellow Pages or searching the web for babysitting agencies. It is important, however, if you choose to use a babysitting agency that you are clear as to how they vet their sitters. For example, do they interview employees and check their references and do they do a complete CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) check to ensure that the sitter is not considered a danger to children?



Page Last Updated
21 October 2008