A babysitter checklist printable should cover four things: how to reach you and emergency services, your child’s daily routine and any allergies or medical needs, house rules and safety basics, and what the sitter should never do without checking with you first. The American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org) recommends leaving this information in writing every time — even for a sitter who already knows your kids. Below is a free babysitter checklist printable you can copy, fill in, and leave on the counter before you go.
What should a babysitter checklist printable include?
AAP’s own babysitting guidance says the following should always be left with a sitter, written down rather than just mentioned on the way out the door:
- Parents’ cell phone numbers
- A neighbor’s phone number
- Pediatrician’s number
- Fire/rescue and police numbers
- Poison Help Line: 1-800-222-1222
- Home phone number and home address (sitters calling 911 from a cell phone don’t always have the address ready)
What should I tell a new babysitter before the first job?
AAP recommends having a new sitter meet your kids and spend time with you before the first solo job, so routines aren’t a surprise. Walk through:
- Feeding, bathing, and sleeping arrangements — if your toddler already follows a set schedule, hand that over too; our free printable Toddler Daily Routine Chart and Nap Schedule by Age chart both work well for this
- Any allergies or specific medical needs, plus each child’s date of birth and approximate weight, in case a medical professional needs them
- A walkthrough of the house, including fire escape routes — AAP says to instruct the sitter to leave the house immediately in a fire and call from a neighbor’s house or mobile phone
- Where you’ll be and roughly when you’ll be back
On the sitter’s side, AAP also recommends checking references and training in advance, and confirming the sitter is at least 13 years old and mature enough to handle common emergencies before leaving them solo with young kids.
What safety rules should a babysitter always follow?
Straight from AAP’s babysitting checklist, sitters should:
- Never open the door to strangers
- Never leave the children alone in the house, even for a minute
- Never give the children any medicine or food unless specifically instructed to by the parents
- Be prepared for an emergency and always call or text the parents with any problems or questions
Two practical add-ons worth putting in writing if they apply: confirm any guns in the home are stored unloaded in a locked cabinet with ammunition locked separately, and if the sitter will be driving your kids anywhere, make sure an appropriate car seat or booster is already installed and ready — don’t leave that for them to figure out.
How do I find a babysitter with real safety training?
The American Red Cross runs babysitting-specific training that’s worth asking about when you’re vetting a new sitter. Its in-person Babysitter’s Training course (ages 11-16) covers feeding, diapering, safety, and emergency response, and its online Babysitting Basics course is open to sitters 11 and up. Either can be paired with a separate First Aid/CPR/AED certification, which the Red Cross certifies as valid for two years. None of this is required to babysit, but it’s a fair, concrete question to ask a new sitter: have you taken a babysitting or first aid course, and when?
Babysitter Checklist Printable FAQ
What’s the single most important thing to leave with a babysitter?
A full list of emergency contacts — including the Poison Help Line (1-800-222-1222) and your home address — plus where you’ll be and when you’ll be back.
How old should a babysitter be?
AAP says at least 13 and mature enough to handle common emergencies; Red Cross babysitting-training courses are open starting at age 11 for sitters who want formal instruction first.
Should I leave written instructions even for a sitter who already knows my kids?
Yes — AAP’s guidance is to leave this information in writing every time, not just for a brand-new sitter.
What should a sitter never do without checking with me first?
Give any medicine or food that wasn’t pre-approved, open the door to someone they don’t know, or drive your kids anywhere without a properly installed car seat.
Is it worth asking if a sitter has Red Cross babysitting certification?
Yes — it’s a reasonable, concrete way to gauge hands-on safety and emergency-response training, and it’s simple to verify before the first job.
Sources:
- HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics), “Babysitting Reminders: Checklist for Parents & Sitters” — emergency-contact list, sitter-age guidance, and household safety rules
- American Red Cross, “Babysitting and Child Care Training” — course ages, content, and certification details
This article is for general informational purposes and isn’t a substitute for individualized safety advice from your child’s pediatrician.
Cite this page
“Babysitter Checklist Printable: What to Leave Before You Go” — KidBlueprint, https://kidblueprint.com/tools/babysitter-checklist-printable/, updated October 2026.