On some levels, babysitting is the most basic of temporary jobs, something that has been the entry-level job for millions of high school girls and the occasional boy. Today, though, even this simple job has taken on new challenges, including exposure to legal liability for the care of the child and caretaking of the home. To reduce your exposure to liability, avoid situations where you will be asked to pick up or deliver a child by car, and don’t accept children into your own home. You must, of course, be good with children. It is also essential that you can be depended on to arrive when promised and flexible enough to be available on reasonably short notice.
Let your clients know if you will be available only for nights and weekends or if they can reach you on weekdays for emergency coverage. Obtain from your clients full information about where they will be and how you can reach them if needed. You should also get the names and phone numbers of other relatives or guardians in case of emergency. Finally, you should have a signed form authorizing you to grant permission for emergency medical treatment if the need arises. Parents should also provide full information about allergies and special medical conditions. They should fully explain rules of the house regarding television time, food, bedtime, and so on. Your contract should identify any safety and security responsibilities of the client and limit your liability for accidents, errors, and omissions. You should also obtain a signature on a document granting you permission to authorize emergency medical treatment for the child if necessary. Be very cautious about accepting a job that requires you to pick up or deliver a child by car; if you do, make sure your insurance agent is aware of it and that your insurance covers you for this kind of responsibility.