Babies/Toddlers 
It is never easy to leave your precious children with a “stranger”. But, there are many excellent babysitters – and every parent needs some time where they can leave their children in the capable hands of a babysitter / au Pair / Nanny so you can get out and have some “you” time.
Once you have sourced a few names and numbers (best is from friends / reliable acquaintances but see list of babysitter links below or Passionate Parenting customers in The Hague can get a list of babysitters from Soul)– the next step is to interview them. Below you will find some basic interview questions AND things to discuss.
After you have met and interviewed them, it’s best to stay at home while they get acquainted with your kids. You can watch them “in action”. My recommendation is to be very specific with your wishes with new babysitters.
It should be updated and easily accessed in a hurry!
1. Your Full names and mobile number
2. Your Partner’s full names and mobile number / work number
3. Contact name & number of a nearby friend / neighbour if an emergency with baby / child - and you are not answering your phones.
4. Contact names & contact details of a temporary guardian should the unthinkable happen.
5. Children's names and ages (with birth dates)
6. Emergency in Holland: Tel 112 / Your doctor’s telephone number
And here are the basics to discuss as you are about to leave…
Passionate Parenting’s Suggested Babysitter Check list:
going out at night / day…)
7. Your mobile number & partner’s mobile numbers
8. Where you are going & What time you can be expected to return
9. Contact name & number of a friend / neighbour if an emergency with baby / child - and you are not answering your phones
10. Children's names and ages (with birth dates)
11. Emergency in Holland: Tel 112 / Doctor’s telephone number
12. Where are the candles / torch?
13. If fire, get kids out of house first – then phone / get someone else (neighbour) to put it out
14. Any medication? Any allergies? Name of Doctor? Name & Number of Medical Aid?
Putting the baby / child to bed:
15. Does baby need a bottle? Bath? Brush teeth? Read book? New nappy? Where are the nappy changing items? Poo nappies in special bin? What time to bed?
If baby is sleeping when you leave:
16. What does babysitter do if baby cries? How best calmed? Favourite toy? Bottle? Dummy? Sniff nappy / change? Watch TV / video?
17. What does babysitter do if child vomits? New sheets etc
18. What does babysitter do if child has a temperature? Paracetamol?
19. What can the babysitter eat / drink (no alcohol)
20. No visitors / Do not open the door for anyone...
21. Incoming phone calls: must she take messages / leave to ring?
22. How the TV / AV / computer system works
INTERVIEW:
How much babysitting experience do you have?
What were the childrens’ ages?
Why do you babysit?
Who are the references I may contact? References are critical!
How much do you charge per hour?
PP GUIDE:
At night: €4 - 5 for young Dutch babysitters at night €6-8 for experienced babysitters.
Day: €5 - 10 for casual babysitters: depending on responsibilities, number of children, ages of children and duration.
Then, these items should be also be discussed…
When the baby / child is awake:
No Television / videos
Must be fun and stimulating! Read books, play ball, dance, sing, music, drawing, go outside (give them a key)
Be careful of… (you know your home’s / neighbourhood hazards)
Wash hands before meals (and clean faces & hands after)
Eat in the kitchen, dining room or outside?
Where are the nappies & nappy wipes (where do the POO nappies go??)
Where are the drinks /snacks / bibs, clean towels, cleaning soaps / agents in the kitchen?
Specific Instructions: Give xyz to eat and ABC to drink at _____am or _______ pm.
How to deal with naughty behaviour (spilling on purpose, hitting, biting) etc… naughty step? Time out?
When the child is asleep:
What is the child’s usual bedtime routine? Favourite toy, dummy? Night light?
Take the baby monitor with you throughout the house.
How to use the TV / AV system…
Please tidy up all toys, mess and wash bottles / put in dishwasher
Please fold / iron my laundry (can offer extra Eur2 – 3) Usually, household work is €8 - 10 per hour
And, 15 minutes before you are due to come home, or babysitter is due to leave, please put ALL the toys neatly away, make sure all the crumbs are cleaned up and the kitchen is clean (milk / juice bottles washed and sterilised).
How to Find Someone
Here is a list of useful websites to help you look for a babysitter. Please be careful when choosing someone to care for your child: always ask for and check references, and have a telephone interview before inviting someone to your home.
For an au Pair:
Contact the House-O-Orange in Oostduinlaan 115, 2596 JJ, Den Haag. Close to Shell. Telephone
For Babysitters:
Expatriates
There is a childcare section in this one but you will have to sift through to find ones relevant to the Netherlands
Expatica
There are lots of people here offering nanny, au pair and babysitting services. All in English ! Be sure to check both domestic services as well as playgroups and daycare listings.
Oppas Markt
Oppas Markt is for finding a childminder. This is usually someone who looks after your child in their own home.
Oppasser Gezocht
Oppasser Gezocht is for finding a babysitter. Fill in your town in the first box to find babysitters in your area. You will have to pay €7.95 to get access to contact information for 3 months.
Marktplaats
Go to Diensten -> Oppas en Kinderopvang. Type in your postal code in the box next to the "ZOEK" button (top right). Click the tab "aangeboden" (3 lines down). In the "alle afstanden" menu choose the radius from your house of <5km or <10km and push "Zoek" (find).
Speurders
Speurders has advertisements which are mostly in Dutch, for babysitters, childminders, nannies and au pairs. Visit Speurders, go to "Kind en Baby" and then "Oppas gevraagd en aangeboden". Choose which location in the left margin.
Via Via
Via Via has advertisements which are mostly in Dutch, for babysitters, childminders, nannies and au pairs. Visit Via Via, go to "Personeel & Dienstverlening" and then "Oppas". In the right hand margin choose 'aangeboden' and select the province you're located in.
Zoek Oppas
You a set fee for 8 weeks of access to the site. There are lots of babysitters on here, and you can search by area, age, whether references are present etc etc. Unfortunately it´s only in Dutch but well worth asking someone to help you with if you can't read Dutch yourself.
