For parents · Child care
What should I put on a babysitter information sheet and emergency plan?
A babysitter information sheet should give your full home address, how to reach you and a backup adult, each child’s allergies, medications and health notes, daily routines and house rules, and a clear emergency plan: when to call 911, where to go if you must leave the house, and who can pick up the children.
In 60 seconds
- Put your full street address and nearest cross street at the top, because a caregiver may need to read it to 911 under stress.
- List at least two ways to reach you plus a trusted backup adult nearby who can come over if needed.
- Write down each child’s allergies, medications, doses and times exactly as your health care provider instructed, and never rely on memory.
- Include routines for meals, naps and bedtime, including safe sleep basics for babies.
- Spell out the emergency plan in order: call 911 first when it is serious, then call you.
- Walk the caregiver through the sheet, the exits and the first aid kit in person before you leave.
What contact information should a babysitter have?
A babysitter should have your full home address with the nearest cross street, your cell phone numbers, where you will be, and at least one trusted adult nearby who can come over. Add your family doctor, your provincial poison information centre number and a neighbour. Put emergency numbers at the very top.
- Home address, unit number, buzzer code and nearest cross street
- Both parents’ cell numbers and where you will be
- A backup adult nearby who has agreed to come if called
- Family doctor or clinic, and your provincial poison information centre
- A neighbour who knows the children
- Who is allowed to pick up the children, and who is not
What health information should I give my babysitter?
Give each child’s full name, date of birth, allergies, medications with exact doses and times, and any condition a caregiver should know about. Write them down as your health care provider instructed, show where medication is kept, and say clearly what the caregiver should and should not give. Keep health card numbers in the same place.
If a child has a written action plan from their health care provider, for example for a severe allergy, give the caregiver a copy and show them how to use any device in it before you leave. If you are unsure what a caregiver should do for a condition, ask your child’s health care provider rather than guessing. This sheet is not a substitute for medical advice.
What routines and house rules should go on a babysitter sheet?
Write down what each child eats and when, nap and bedtime routines, screen time rules, and anything that is off limits. Include comfort items and what usually settles each child. Clear routines help the caregiver keep things normal for your children and help avoid disagreements about what was allowed.
For babies, include safe sleep instructions. The Canadian Paediatric Society says to always place a baby on their back to sleep, for every sleep, in a crib, cradle or bassinet with a firm, flat mattress and no loose soft items such as blankets, pillows, bumper pads or toys, and to avoid couches.
- Meals and snacks, including foods that are not allowed
- Nap and bedtime times, steps and comfort items
- Screen time, outdoor play and friends visiting
- Rooms, pools, balconies or appliances that are off limits
- How you handle discipline, and what to do when a child will not settle
- Pets, and how they should be kept apart from children if needed
What should a babysitter emergency plan include?
A babysitter emergency plan should say in plain steps what to do in a serious emergency, a fire, a lost child, a power outage and a minor injury. The order matters: call 911 first when it is serious, then call you. Include where the first aid kit, flashlight and exits are.
- Serious injury or illness: call 911, stay with the child, then call a parent
- Fire or smoke: get everyone out, meet at a named spot outside, then call 911 from there
- Child missing: search briefly, then call 911, then a parent
- Power outage: where the flashlight is and who to call
- Minor injury: where the first aid kit is and when to call you
- Unknown person at the door: do not open, call a parent or 911 if worried
How should I go over the information sheet with a new babysitter?
Walk through it in person before you leave, not as you are heading out the door. Show exits, smoke alarms, the first aid kit, medication and how locks and alarms work. Ask the caregiver to repeat back key points, such as your address and what they would do if a child had an allergic reaction.
For a new caregiver, a first session while you are home or nearby is a gentle way to test the plan. Update the sheet when routines, medications or contacts change, and date it so everyone knows which version is current. Keep a copy on the fridge and send a photo to the caregiver’s phone.
What training should a babysitter have to follow an emergency plan?
A written plan works best with a caregiver who has current first aid and CPR training. The Canadian Red Cross and St. John Ambulance run babysitting courses for youth aged 11 to 15 that cover basic first aid and handling emergencies, and the Red Cross also runs child care first aid courses for adult caregivers.
Ask to see the certificate and its date. Training is not a guarantee, and even a well-trained caregiver needs your specific information, so the sheet matters either way.
If your child has a condition that needs a specific response, ask your child’s health care provider what a caregiver should know, and show the caregiver how to follow that plan before you leave them alone with your child.
Does Maple Care provide an information sheet or emergency plan?
Maple Care does not write or manage emergency plans; your family’s plan belongs to you and your caregiver. Maple Care helps you find independent care professionals and can show badges for certifications our team checks, such as first aid. Badges are a screening signal, not a background check, and you still confirm training yourself.
If you want a written starting point for the practical side of the arrangement, such as hours and cancellations, ask our team for our care agreement template.
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Frequently asked questions
Should I give my babysitter permission to take my child to hospital?
In a real emergency, the caregiver should call 911 first and then you. For other situations, some parents write a signed note naming the caregiver, the children and the dates, plus health card numbers. Rules on consent to treatment vary by province, so ask your child’s health care provider or a lawyer if it matters to you.
Should the information sheet be on paper or on a phone?
Use both. A printed sheet on the fridge works if a phone dies or is lost, and anyone can read it to a 911 operator. A photo on the caregiver’s phone goes with them to the park. Update both when anything changes.
What if my babysitter cannot reach me?
Your plan should name a backup adult nearby who has agreed to be on call. In an emergency, the caregiver should call 911 first and keep trying you afterwards. Keep your phone on and within reach while you are out, especially with a new caregiver.
Do I need a separate sheet for each child?
For one or two children, one sheet with a section per child is usually clearer. If a child has complex medical needs or a written action plan from a health care provider, give that its own page so it is easy to find in a hurry.
Should I tell the babysitter about custody arrangements?
Yes, if they affect who can pick up or visit the children. Write down who is allowed to take the children and anyone who is not, and keep a copy of any relevant court order handy. Tell the caregiver to call you and, if needed, the police if someone not listed tries to take a child.
How often should I update the babysitter information sheet?
Update it whenever something changes, such as a new medication, a new phone number, a new school or a change in who can pick up the children. A quick review every few months catches small changes you may forget. Date each version and remove old copies so no one follows outdated information.
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