1.2. Describe the babysitter’s responsibilities to the children being cared for

This guide will help you answer 1.2. Describe the babysitter’s responsibilities to the children being cared for.

A babysitter’s responsibilities go far beyond simply keeping children safe until their parents return home. The babysitter takes on a temporary but very important duty of care. This means they must meet the physical, emotional and social needs of the children in their care. Their actions during the time they are with the children can have a strong impact on the children’s well-being.

The role requires awareness of health and safety, nurturing behaviour, and the ability to follow any instructions provided by parents or guardians. Babysitters also need to adapt to the children’s age, developmental stage, and any specific needs such as allergies, medical conditions or behaviour concerns.

The responsibilities can be grouped into several key areas, which we will explore below.

Keeping Children Safe

Safety is the number one responsibility for any babysitter. Children rely on the babysitter to protect them from harm. This includes preventing accidents in the home, providing supervision, and responding calmly to emergencies.

A babysitter must:

• Supervise children at all times, especially near hazards such as stairs, kitchens, fireplaces, or electrical equipment
• Keep small objects out of reach to prevent choking
• Avoid letting children play with unsafe toys or damaged equipment
• Follow safety instructions given by parents, for example, locking windows or keeping doors secure
• Be aware of any pets and their behaviour around children
• Know how to contact emergency services if needed

Safety also includes understanding basic first aid. Babysitters should know how to respond to minor injuries, and have quick access to the nearest first aid kit. They must be able to stay calm in emergencies and follow correct procedures to get help.

Meeting Physical Needs

Children have basic physical needs that must be met while they are in the babysitter’s care. These include food, drink, comfort and rest.

Meeting physical needs means:

• Preparing snacks or meals in line with parent instructions
• Offering drinks regularly to prevent dehydration
• Changing nappies for babies and toddlers when needed
• Helping younger children use the toilet
• Making sure children’s clothing is comfortable and appropriate for the temperature
• Following any dietary restrictions or allergy guidelines provided by parents

Rest is also important. Babysitters should stick to set bedtimes and nap routines to help children remain settled. Younger children especially depend on these routines for feeling secure.

Providing Emotional Support

Children can feel anxious or unsettled when their parents are not there. The babysitter should provide warmth, patience and reassurance during this time. Emotional care is as important as physical safety.

Ways to offer emotional support include:

• Listening to children and responding kindly
• Using positive encouragement when children behave well
• Comforting children who are upset or worried
• Being gentle and calm in tone of voice
• Allowing children to talk about their feelings and experiences

If the babysitter shows care and respect, children are more likely to trust them and feel at ease. This helps children to enjoy their time rather than feel distressed.

Providing Age-Appropriate Activities

Children need stimulation and play opportunities during babysitting hours. A responsible babysitter knows what activities suit the child’s age, abilities and interests.

For example:

• Babies may enjoy gentle songs, soft toys or colourful objects to look at
• Toddlers may like building blocks, picture books or simple puzzles
• Older children may enjoy board games, drawing or reading
• Outdoor play can be offered if safe and supervised

Activities should:

• Be interesting but safe
• Support development in areas such as motor skills, thinking skills, and social interaction
• Avoid overstimulating children before bedtime

The babysitter should respect routines such as homework, reading time or quiet time, and avoid introducing unsuitable content in games, books or television.

Following Parent Instructions

The babysitter must follow all instructions given by parents or guardians. These instructions can cover safety, routines, discipline approaches, food, and health needs.

Following instructions:

• Shows respect for the parent’s role and authority
• Helps maintain the child’s usual routine
• Reduces stress for the child
• Prevents misunderstandings and conflicts

Parents may leave written notes detailing bedtime, allowed snacks, activity limits or emergency contact numbers. The babysitter should check these notes carefully and keep them somewhere accessible.

Promoting Positive Behaviour

Babysitters influence how children behave during the time together. Setting clear boundaries helps children feel secure and prevents unwanted behaviour.

Responsibilities in behaviour guidance include:

• Using calm, respectful language at all times
• Encouraging good manners
• Reinforcing rules provided by parents
• Managing minor disagreements between siblings or playmates fairly
• Avoiding shouting or harsh discipline
• Using distraction and redirection for younger children who become restless

Children respond better when the babysitter stays consistent. Any serious behaviour concerns should be discussed with the parents afterwards.

Protecting Confidentiality

Babysitters often learn private information about the family. This might include medical details, routines, addresses or financial information. It is important to keep this confidential.

Confidentiality means:

• Not sharing the family’s details with friends or other people
• Not posting information or photographs of the children on social media
• Keeping any paperwork or notes secure and returning them to parents

Respecting privacy builds trust and assures parents their children are cared for responsibly.

Managing Special Requirements

Some children may have additional needs or health requirements. Babysitters must understand these before care begins.

Examples include:

• Allergies that require avoidance of certain foods or materials
• Asthma that may need inhaler support
• Disabilities that require adapted activities
• Behaviour patterns related to conditions such as autism

The babysitter should be trained or briefed on how to meet these needs safely. Parents are the best source of guidance, and any uncertainty should be clarified before care starts.

Communicating Clearly

Communication with both children and parents is part of the babysitter’s job. With children, they must speak clearly, listen carefully and make sure instructions are understood.

With parents, the babysitter must:

• Report back after care to describe how the time went
• Mention any incidents or changes in behaviour
• Pass on messages from the children

Good communication shows professionalism and helps parents feel confident in the care provided.

Maintaining a Calm Environment

Children thrive in a safe, calm environment. The babysitter controls the tone and pace of activities. If the atmosphere is noisy, tense or rushed, children can become unsettled.

Ways to promote calm include:

• Keeping noise levels moderate
• Avoiding sudden changes in routine
• Encouraging quiet play before bedtime
• Handling disagreements with patience

A calm setting encourages positive behaviour and comfort for the children.

Setting a Good Example

Children often copy the actions and attitudes of those around them. Babysitters must act as a good role model in how they speak, behave and solve problems.

Setting a good example looks like:

• Being polite and respectful
• Using tidy habits, such as cleaning up after activities
• Showing care for the environment and belongings
• Speaking kindly about other people

This influence can support the child’s ongoing social and moral development.

Understanding Boundaries

Babysitters must understand and respect professional boundaries. This means keeping the focus on childcare duties and avoiding actions that could be inappropriate.

Boundaries include:

• Avoiding personal use of the family’s property without permission
• Not discussing the family’s affairs with outsiders
• Keeping the relationship professional and based on trust

These boundaries protect both the babysitter and the family.

Handling Emergencies

In rare cases, emergencies may occur. The babysitter must know how to act quickly and appropriately.

Emergency responsibilities:

• Call the correct emergency service
• Provide basic first aid if trained and safe to do so
• Contact parents immediately after dealing with the urgent situation
• Keep children calm until help arrives

Babysitters should check they have access to all necessary numbers, first aid kit locations and emergency exits before care begins.

Respecting Cultural and Family Values

Families may have particular beliefs, customs or routines that are important to them. Babysitters must respect these and avoid introducing activities, language or behaviours that conflict with family values.

This can include:

• Following dietary practices linked to religion
• Respecting clothing rules
• Using suitable language and topics in conversation
• Observing any traditions or rituals the family wishes to continue during babysitting hours

Respect builds trust and supports harmony between babysitter, child and family.

Final Thoughts

Being a babysitter involves more than keeping an eye on children until their parents get back. It carries real responsibility for their safety, happiness and development during that period. Every action taken by the babysitter can influence the child’s mood, behaviour and trust.

A responsible babysitter is attentive, caring, respectful and willing to follow the family’s routines and expectations. By meeting physical needs, protecting emotional well-being, and encouraging positive behaviour, a babysitter supports not only the immediate safety of the child but also their wider development. Good communication, trust and respect form the foundation of effective babysitting practice. When these responsibilities are met, children feel secure and parents can leave home with confidence in the care their child will receive.