Babysitter Interview Questions
A good interview is mostly listening. These questions are grouped so you can pick the ones that fit your family, and the scenario questions in particular tend to be the most revealing.
Experience and background
- Which age groups have you cared for, and for how long in each position?
- What did a typical day look like in your most recent role?
- Why did that position end?
- Do you hold current first aid and CPR certification? When does it expire?
- Have you completed a police information check with a vulnerable sector search?
Practical fit
- Which days and hours are you genuinely available, including any changes ahead?
- How will you travel to our neighbourhood, and how long does that take?
- Do you drive, and do you have your own insured vehicle?
- What rate are you looking for, and does our budget work for you?
- How much notice would you need before starting?
Scenario questions that reveal the most
- My toddler has a full meltdown in a shop. Walk me through what you do.
- A child falls and there is a cut that will not stop bleeding. What are your first three actions?
- Bedtime is 7:30 and at 8:15 they are still up and negotiating. What now?
- One child refuses the dinner I left. How do you handle it?
- A sibling argument turns physical. What do you do?
- You are running fifteen minutes late for school pickup. What do you do?
- Something happened during the day that you know I would not be happy about. How do you tell me?
Approach and communication
- How do you prefer to handle discipline and boundaries?
- What would you plan for a rainy afternoon indoors?
- How do you feel about screen time, and what rules have you worked with before?
- How would you keep us updated during the day?
- What do you need from us to do this job well?
Questions to ask the references
- How long did they work for you, and in what role?
- Were they reliable with time and with communication?
- How did your children respond to them?
- How did they handle a difficult moment or an emergency?
- Would you hire them again?
What you should not ask
Alberta human rights legislation prohibits basing hiring decisions on protected grounds, which include race, religious beliefs, colour, gender, gender identity, gender expression, physical or mental disability, age, ancestry, place of origin, marital status, source of income, family status and sexual orientation.
Keep every question tied to the requirements of the job. Ask whether someone is available on Saturdays, not about their religious observance; ask whether they can perform the physical parts of the role, not about their medical history. If you are unsure whether a question is appropriate, review the current Alberta Human Rights Commission guidance on pre-employment inquiries.