Babysitting During COVID-19. How To Stay Safe.

If you’ll be going back to work outside of the home, you may wonder if it’s safe to hire a babysitter during COVID-19. While this decision is a very personal one, for some families it can be an appealing alternative to using a daycare center— as long as you can find a caregiver you trust to follow social distancing guidelines outside of your home. There are steps both parents and sitters can take to remain safe and smart.​


Parents:

1. Limit the number of babysitters that come into your home. If possible, hire the same babysitter for the entire time.
2. Do not have a babysitter in your home if anyone in your home is experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19 such as cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fever, chills, muscle pain, sore throat, or new loss of taste or smell.
3. Make sure your babysitter has access to hand soap, hand sanitizer, and cleaning products. Demonstrate how you prefer surfaces and toys be cleaned and sanitized after use.
4. Provide specific guidance on outdoor activities that may include other children in the neighborhood or shared, public places such as neighborhood parks.
5. Follow the CDC guidelines and create a household plan of action. Share this plan with your babysitter.

Sitters: 
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1. Always make sure you are available, will be safe, are able, before accepting a babysitting job
2. Contact the employer immediately if you are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19 such as cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fever, chills, muscle pain, sore throat, or new loss of taste or smell.
3. Both you and the children should wash your hands frequently especially before meals and after active play. Always assist younger children with hand washing and make it fun by singing songs as you count to 20 seconds.
4. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth and always cover coughs and sneezes with either a tissue or the inside of your elbow. If you use a tissue, put it in the trash immediately after use and sanitize or wash hands immediately.
5. Follow the employer’s directions on cleaning and sanitizing surfaces and toys.
6. The employer may prefer you and the children wear a cloth face covering. Cloth face coverings should not be used on children under the age of 2 because of the danger of suffocation.
7. Follow the employer’s rules on outside play to safely practice social distancing with other children in the neighborhood.

 

Ultimately we have to stay positive, with the right planning, preventive measures, and lots of communications, you’ll be well prepared to take on whatever the coronavirus throws your way. Remember that even the most diligent attempts at preventing COVID-19 can fail. If your babysitter tells you they tested positive for the coronavirus, you should reach out to your pediatrician and let them know immediately. Ask the clinician if your family members will need to be tested and if you should quarantine.