Babysitter interview questions Ireland: 10 to ask before hiring

Hiring a babysitter for the first time, or finding a new sitter after a move, can feel daunting. You are trusting someone with your child for an evening, a weekend or a regular slot. The good news is that a short, well-planned chat tells you almost everything you need to know.

Here are ten babysitter interview questions for Irish parents. Each comes with why it matters and what a good answer sounds like. When you are ready to meet someone, you can browse babysitters in Ireland and get in touch with a few.

Key Takeaways
– Use these 10 babysitter interview questions in a phone chat first, then in person.
– Listen for specific examples, not “I love kids”.
– We found no official babysitter rate, so agree the pay up front.
– You cannot Garda vet a sitter yourself, so rely on references and a trial.

How to pick a babysitter in Ireland

Knowing how to pick a babysitter in Ireland is easier in three short steps. Each step narrows your list before you give up an evening to it.

1. Chat by phone first. Ten minutes covers availability, pay and experience with your child’s age.
2. Meet in person with your child there. Watch how the sitter talks to your child, not only to you.
3. Ring a reference, then book a short paid trial. Seeing the sitter in your home settles it.

A good babysitter is reliable, calm and happy to follow your rules. Use babysitter interview questions at every step to test those three things. Short of names? You can look at babysitters in Dublin before you ring anyone.

The 10 babysitter interview questions to ask

Babysitter interview questions are what you ask a sitter before you book: experience, safety, pay and house rules. Go through these in order, or start with the ones that matter most for your child.

1. What experience do you have with children of my child’s age?

Minding a six-month-old is a different skill from supervising a lively seven-year-old. Three children with different bedtimes is different again. Ask practical questions:

• How many years of childcare experience do you have?
• Have you cared for children in this age group before?
• Have you looked after several children at once?
• Do you have experience with anything relevant to your child, such as allergies, additional needs or specific routines?

A strong sitter answers babysitter interview questions with specific examples, not just “yes, I love kids”. Ask for two contactable references where possible. A quick call to a past family is often the most reliable check.

2. Do you have first aid or CPR training?

Choking, falls, cuts and allergic reactions can happen in seconds, even when you are watching closely. A sitter trained in paediatric first aid and CPR is better placed to act.

Ask if the course was paediatric, meaning child-specific. Adult first aid is different, especially for CPR and choking in babies. Ask when they trained, and ask to see the certificate.

No certificate does not rule a sitter out. It should still count in your decision, especially for very young children or long bookings. Our guide to babysitter qualifications in Ireland shows which certificates to ask for.

3. Can you provide references from previous families?

A sitter with real experience should name at least two families they have worked for. Ideally you get a phone number to ring, not just a written testimonial.

Reference calls use babysitter interview questions too. Ask:

• How long did the sitter work for your family, and in what capacity?
• Were they punctual and reliable?
• How did your children respond to them?
• Would you hire them again?
• Was there ever an incident or concern, and how was it handled?

References are one of the best signs of trustworthiness. A sitter who is slow to give them, or whose references sound vague, should raise a flag.

4. Are you comfortable with our bedtime and feeding routines?

Every family runs differently. Young children like things the same each night. Walk through your routines and see how the sitter responds:

• What time is bedtime, and what is the wind-down routine (bath, story, lights out)?
• Are there feeding instructions, allergies or food restrictions?
• How do you handle a child who won’t settle, has a tantrum or won’t follow instructions?
• Are you comfortable giving medication if needed, and do you understand correct dosing?

A good sitter listens, asks clarifying questions and may take notes. Be wary of anyone who brushes off your routines or says they will “figure it out”. Want a backup name on your list? Look through babysitters in Cork.

5. What would you do in an emergency?

This is one of the most revealing babysitter interview questions. It shows a sitter’s judgement and preparation. Ask them to talk you through a few realistic scenarios:

• A child falls and is bleeding or seems to have a head injury
• A child has a severe allergic reaction
• There is a fire alarm, a gas smell or a power cut
• A stranger comes to the door

A strong answer includes calling 112 or 999. According to 112.ie, both numbers reach the same service in Ireland. It also covers giving your address and nearest landmark, keeping contact numbers to hand and putting the children first. Confirm the sitter knows where your first aid kit is.

Before any booking, leave a written list. Include emergency contacts, your address and medical details. Our free printable safety checklist has space for all of it. Don’t rely on memory in a stressful moment.

6. What are your rates, and how do you like to be paid?

We found no official rate for babysitting in Ireland, so the figure is for you and the sitter to agree. It depends on where you live, the sitter’s experience, how many children they mind and the time of day. Settle it before the first booking, not after. Pay is one of the babysitter interview questions that is easy to put off.

Ask:

• What is the hourly rate, and does it change for extra children?
• Is there a minimum booking time?
• Do rates differ for late-night, overnight or last-minute bookings?
• How do you prefer to be paid (cash or bank transfer)?

Casual and regular care are treated differently. Citizens Information says an occasional worker in a home may be self-employed. They then handle their own tax.

If you employ a sitter regularly, it says they have broadly the same rights as other employees. That includes a contract, holidays, a payslip and the national minimum wage.

Since 1 January 2026 that wage is €14.15 an hour at age 20 and over. Lower rates apply under 20. Budget 2027 announced a rise to €14.94 from 1 January 2027, though this still needs legislation. A regular set-up may also mean you register as an employer with Revenue.

7. Are you available reliably, and what is your notice period?

Reliability matters more than most parents expect. Availability is one of the plainest babysitter interview questions. A lovely sitter who cancels at short notice can cause more stress than convenience.

Ask directly:

• What is your usual availability (weekday evenings, weekends, last-minute)?
• How much notice do you need for a booking?
• What is your cancellation policy, and how much notice would you give if you couldn’t make a booking?
• Are you minding for several regular families, or only available ad hoc?

For a regular slot, such as every Friday evening, confirm the sitter is free long term and not just for one trial. A second name helps if a booking falls through. You can compare babysitters in Galway or your own county.

8. How do you handle screen time, discipline and house rules?

Every family has its own approach to screens, snacks, discipline and house rules. Your sitter should follow yours rather than substitute their own. Useful questions:

• How do you handle a child who is misbehaving or not listening?
• What is your approach to screen time and devices during a booking?
• Are you comfortable enforcing house rules (no sweets before dinner, no friends over, no leaving the house)?
• How do you keep children busy without relying on screens?

A confident sitter is happy to follow your preferences and may suggest age-appropriate games of their own. These babysitter interview questions check fit. They are not a test to catch anyone out.

9. How will you keep me updated during the booking?

Updates are easy to forget among babysitter interview questions. Even with a sitter you trust, most parents like a quick check-in on a longer booking. That goes double for a first booking, an overnight stay or an unsettled child. Ask:

• Are you comfortable sending a text or photo during the evening?
• Would you call straight away if something went wrong, even something minor?
• How do you feel about parents checking in by text or call?

A good sitter welcomes this and does not read it as a lack of trust. It shows shared responsibility for your child’s wellbeing.

10. Are you comfortable with a trial session before we commit?

Good references and a great chat help. Nothing beats seeing the sitter with your child. A sitter who is confident in their experience should be comfortable with a short paid trial. It is the last of the babysitter interview questions, and often the most useful.

A trial lets you see:

• How the sitter engages with your child
• Whether your child feels comfortable and responds well
• How the sitter handles your home, routines and instructions
• Whether communication feels easy and natural

It is reasonable to start small, perhaps while you are still in the house or nearby. Move to a longer evening or a weekly slot once you are happy.

Babysitter interview questions: good answers and red flags

Use this table as a quick score sheet while you ask the babysitter interview questions above.

Scenario babysitter interview questions

Scenario questions show how a sitter thinks. Try one or two and listen for calm answers:

• It is 9pm and my child will not go to bed. What do you do?
• You are running late. When would you let me know?
• A friend asks to visit while you are here. What do you say?
• My child says they feel sick. Who do you call first?

Garda vetting and Children First

You cannot ask the National Vetting Bureau to vet a babysitter for you. Its FAQ says vetting is done only for registered organisations, not for individuals on a personal basis. A family hiring directly relies on other checks.

Add two more babysitter interview questions:

• Have you been Garda vetted through a school, club, employer or other organisation?
• Have you done Tusla’s Introduction to Children First e-learning?

Tusla’s course takes about 1.5 hours and ends with a certificate. It is open to people of all backgrounds, and its page does not make it compulsory for sitters. Treat it as a sign of care, not a pass or fail.

Questions to ask a babysitter in Ireland before you leave

The last of your babysitter interview questions should come from the sitter. End the meeting by asking what they want to know. A good sitter asks about allergies, bedtime and who to call. You can also ask:

• Do you have any questions for us?
• Is there anything that would help you feel prepared?
• When can you confirm a date?

A quick pre-booking checklist

Once you have asked all the babysitter interview questions, check these before your sitter arrives for the first time:

• First aid certificate seen, and the date checked
• At least one reference checked directly
• Emergency contact numbers and home address written down clearly
• Allergy information and medication instructions given in writing
• Bedtime and house rules explained
• Hourly rate and payment method agreed in advance
• Your mobile number saved in the sitter’s phone, and theirs in yours
• A check-in plan agreed for the evening

Find a babysitter in Ireland

Finding a babysitter should not mean guesswork or random social media posts. TrustedCarers.ie lists babysitters across the country. Get in touch with a few and put these babysitter interview questions to each one.

Whether you need an occasional evening sitter or regular weekly help, the questions work the same way. Take your time, check references and start with a short trial.

Frequently asked questions

Q: What questions should I ask a babysitter before I hire them?

A: Ask about their experience with your child’s age group, paediatric first aid or CPR training, and references from previous families. Then ask how they handle emergencies, bedtime and discipline, what notice they need and what they charge. Finish with a realistic scenario and a short paid trial. These babysitter interview questions work on a phone call or in person.

Q: How do I pick a babysitter in Ireland?

A: Start with a short phone chat, then meet in person with your child there. Use babysitter interview questions at each step. Ring at least one reference, and book a short paid trial before a regular arrangement. Choose someone reliable, calm and willing to follow your routines and house rules.

Q: Do I have to pay a babysitter the minimum wage?

A: Occasional, casual babysitting is usually informal. If you employ a sitter regularly in your home, Citizens Information says they have broadly the same rights as other employees. That includes the national minimum wage (€14.15 an hour at age 20 and over since 1 January 2026, lower under 20), a payslip and paid leave. Work out whether the arrangement is casual or ongoing before you agree terms.

Q: Can I Garda vet a babysitter myself?

A: No. The National Vetting Bureau says vetting is carried out only for registered organisations, not for individuals on a personal basis. Ask whether the sitter has been vetted through a school, club or other organisation. Rely on references and a trial session as well.

Q: Should a babysitter have first aid or CPR training?

A: A paediatric first aid and CPR certificate is one of the strongest reassurances a sitter can offer. Ask when they trained, whether it covered infants as well as older children, and ask to see the certificate. A sitter without one is not automatically ruled out.

Q: Is a trial session worth it before hiring a babysitter?

A: Yes. A short paid trial while you are still nearby lets you watch how the sitter and child get on, how they manage routines and whether your child seems comfortable. It is a low-risk way to confirm a good fit before you book a full evening out.

Q: What qualities make a good babysitter?

A: Look for reliability, calm in an emergency and real experience with your child’s age. Current paediatric first aid helps too. A good sitter listens to your routines and follows your house rules. References and a short paid trial show these qualities better than a profile.