Noor Says NoHow do you choose a babysitter you can trust?
Sources reviewed on November 1, 2026. Based on public advice, see below.
Start with people you know and trust, then check references and do a test run while you are home. Nemours KidsHealth calls recommendations your best bet. Also tell your child that there are no secrets with the sitter, and that they can always tell you what happened.
How do you find someone?
KidsHealth suggests asking neighbors or coworkers, your place of worship, staff at your pediatrician's office or your child's daycare. A local YMCA, hospital or Red Cross chapter may have a list. Many of those sitters have done a babysitting and CPR course.
What do you ask?
- What experience do you have with kids this age?
- Are you certified in infant and child CPR?
- Have you taken a babysitter course?
- May I call your references?
Then invite the sitter over while you are home. You will see how they treat your child.
What do you go over before you leave?
Your child's routine and house rules, where you will be, how to reach you, and when to call 911 before calling you. KidsHealth also says to leave your phone number and address in writing. In the US, post the poison control number: 1-800-222-1222.
What should you watch for?
Most sitters are fine, and this is not a reason to distrust everyone. Stop It Now lists some behaviors to take seriously: someone who insists on time alone with a child, has secret interactions with children, or seems too good to be true, for example by often babysitting for free or giving gifts for no clear reason.
What do you tell your child?
Two sentences are enough: "There are no secrets with a babysitter. You can always tell me anything that happened." Afterward, ask an open question like "What did you do tonight?" See good and bad secrets.
Frequently asked questions
Is a family friend safer than a stranger?
Not automatically. CDC says about 90% of child sexual abuse is by someone known and trusted by the child or family. Use the same steps and the same rules for everyone.
Should I run a background check?
Our sources for this page do not cover background checks. They focus on references and a test run. Check what is available where you live.
Keep reading
- Good secrets and bad secrets: how do you explain the difference?
- What age can a child stay home alone?
- How do you spot an adult who crosses boundaries with children?
All topics are in the overview of parents' questions. The big picture is in the guide How do you help keep your child safe? A guide for parents. Want to practice this with your child? That's why the picture book Noor Says No was made.
Sources
Each source was read on November 1, 2026. These organizations are not connected to this site or the book.
- Nemours KidsHealth: Choosing and Instructing a Babysitter.
- Stop It Now: Behaviors to Watch Out for When Adults are with Children.
- CDC: About Child Sexual Abuse.
This is general information, not a replacement for professional help. Worried about a child? In the US, call or text Childhelp at 1-800-422-4453. In the UK, call the NSPCC at 0808 800 5000. Immediate danger: call 911 or 999.
