Finding the right fit with your babysitter or nanny

Written by the Progyny Editorial Team — October 2025. 

If you’re looking for a babysitter, nanny, or other in-home caregiver, it’s so important to find the right fit. And that goes for everyone: you, your child(ren), and the caregiver.

How will you know if you’ve found a good match and someone you can trust? Here are a few things to think about.

Set expectations

Finding the right fit actually starts with you!

It’s your job to be clear about your expectations the first time you speak with a caregiving candidate.

Let them know about the pay, location, hours, and duration (like 1 year or 3 months). Tell them a bit about your family (including pets), along with your kids’ ages and personalities.

And of course, be sure to describe the job duties. This may include things like:

• Preparing bottles, snacks, and meals
• Changing diapers
• Putting your child down to nap
• Following a bedtime routine
• Helping with your child’s medical needs
• Light cleanup or household tasks
• Being around or caring for pets

Other considerations for a nanny may include:

• Driving children to school or activities
• Potty training or helping transition to solid food
• Speaking another language
• Tutoring or homework help
• Laundry or housekeeping

Assess fit and qualifications

Get to know your candidate so you’re comfortable with their experience and caregiving style. Along with a phone interview, you can have an in-person meeting or trial run to make sure the caregiver clicks with your kids.

You can ask questions like:

• Tell me about yourself and your background in childcare.
• What do you enjoy most about childcare?
• What do you find most challenging about it?
• Tell me about a time you handled an emergency while caring for a child.
• How do you approach discipline?
• What is your approach to screen time?

For safety, be sure to ask if the caregiver is currently certified in (infant) CPR and first aid. For education, you may want to ask if they’ve completed early childhood education courses.

It’s also helpful to request professional references.

Talk about pay

It’s a good idea to be upfront about the rate you are going to offer, instead of asking for the caregiver’s rate. To come up with this amount, think about the job duties you’re requesting and research the average rates in your area.

If you’re comfortable, you could also offer the job on a scale, with different rates based on skill level and experience.

When you get farther along in the process of hiring a nanny, discuss details like pay frequency and method (like cash, check, direct deposit).

Cover the logistics

Finally, make sure your schedules work together and they are a reliable candidate. You’ll want to talk about:

• If they have reliable transportation, and reimbursement if they are using their car to transport your kids
• Availability for the days and hours you request
• Giving advance notice for absences, especially if you’re hiring a nanny
• Cancelling services if your child is sick
• Number of paid vacations, sick days, and holidays (for a nanny)
• Any questions or concerns they have for you

Hiring a caregiver is a big decision. Being clear about your needs and asking questions about what’s most important to you and your family will help you feel comfortable with your choice. Your Progyny Care Advocate is also here for you if you have questions.

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