Meet them first. Then decide.
We sight every sitter’s qualification certificate and confirm the name on it matches the profile. Everything else on a profile is the sitter’s own statement, so the interview is where you check it. This is what we would do with our own kids.
Meet in person first
Do not leave your children with anyone you have only messaged. Meet at home or somewhere nearby, with the children there if you can. Watch how the sitter talks to them.
If you want to be sure, book a short first session while you are still at home.
What to ask to see
- 1Working with Children Check or VIT registration. Every sitter agrees to hold a current Working with Children Check or VIT registration. We do not check it, you do. Ask for the card or registration number and look it up online with the Victorian WWCC check or the VIT public register.
- 2First aid certificate. Check the date. First aid and CPR need renewing.
- 3References. Ask for two families they have looked after and call at least one.
- 4Police check, if their profile says they have one.
Questions worth asking
- Where do you work during the week, and with what ages?
- What would you do if my child had a fall or a fever?
- How do you handle a child who will not settle?
- Have you looked after a child with allergies before?
- What does a normal evening with you look like?
Agree these before the first booking
- The hourly rate and how you will pay.
- Start and finish times, and what happens if you run late.
- The rate after midnight and on public holidays.
- Any extra for three or more children.
- The minimum booking length.
- What happens if either of you cancels.
- How the sitter gets home late at night.
Most sitters show their rates and minimum on their profile. Confirm them anyway. See the Melbourne rates guide for what is normal.
What to leave for the sitter
- Your phone number and one other emergency contact who lives nearby.
- Your full address written down, for a 000 call.
- Allergies, medication and where it is kept, with written instructions.
- Routines for sleep, food, bath and screens.
- Where the first aid kit is.
- House rules, such as visitors, pets and the pool gate.
Insurance
No insurance comes with Gold Star Sitters, for you or the sitter. Sitters are independent and you engage them directly, so insurance is between the two of you. Some sitters carry their own policy. Ask. You may also want to check what your home insurance covers when someone works in your house.
Reporting a profile or a message
Every profile and message has a report link. Use it for anything false, unsafe or wrong. A person reads every report. We remove profiles that are false, unsafe or against our terms.
You can also contact us directly.