Babysitter House rules you might consider

When ever we have had to change our babysitter form our usual supply of one or two to a new person we always set out a few rules just make the evening go a little smoother. Often we have used MissMolly the Babysitter Database to source

Contact information for you and your partner — Home phone, work phone, and mobile phone numbers (and pager number if you have one), as well as the number at the place you'll be (restaurant, friends' house, etc.). Tell your babysitter not to open the door to anyone she's not expecting, and warn her if anyone will be stopping by or calling. 

Emergency contact information — This includes fire, police, doctor, and hospital numbers — for guidelines, see our helpful checklist. If your children have specific medical insurance numbers, provide those as well. It's also smart to designate one or two neighbors, friends, or relatives as local contacts. Leave their names, numbers, and addresses. That way your sitter has someone to turn to in case of miscellaneous mishaps, such as a pet that gets loose or a power outage. Also, leave clear written directions to your house so she can give them out to fire, police, or medical personnel in an emergency. 

A mapped escape route — In case of fire or some other crisis that requires hasty evacuation, your sitter should be aware of all the possible exits from your house. Also make sure she knows where to find the fire extinguisher, the first-aid kit, the circuit breaker, the water shutoff, and a flashlight. 

Medical information about your baby — If your child has any allergies or other medical conditions, or needs to take medication, tell your sitter about it in advance. Also inform her of any additional health problems — such as a bad case of nappy rash or a tendency to spit up food 

Food and drink list — Don't leave this to chance. A teen may not be aware of foods that pose choking hazards. Leave specific instructions outlining exactly what your baby can and cannot eat and drink. And if the babysitter will be preparing formula or giving your baby expressed breast milk, make sure she knows exactly how to do it. 

Activity schedule — It's important for your baby to not be disrupted from his routine, so let your provider know what time he eats his meals, what time he goes to bed, and how his bedtime routine works. (If you usually read to him from a particular book, let her know that.) If he's allowed to watch videos, let her know which ones. It's also wise to let your babysitter know about any special words for favorite toys or security objects.