For Parents: Food Interview Checklist

Does your sitter think cake is a perfectly acceptable dinner option?

Food isn't something we take so lightly anymore. The key to finding a great sitter who shares your thoughts on food (or at least one who can follow your rules while you're gone) is to incorporate food-related questions into the interview process. That way, you won't hire someone whose nutritional values sharply contrast with your own.

Sitter's Eating Habits

• Do you have any lifestyle considerations we should be aware of? (I.e. vegan, vegetarian, raw foods, organic, kosher, gluten-free.)
• Will you be OK feeding the kids foods that you don't include in your own lifestyle? (Example: meat if you are a vegetarian.)
• Do you have any ethnic food restrictions that we should be aware of?
• Do you have any religious food restrictions that we should be aware of?
• Do you prefer to eat on the job, or do you prefer to feed yourself before or after a job?
• Are there any ethnic foods that you would like the kids to try?
• Would you mind providing us with a full ingredient list of those foods should we choose to approve them?

Sitter Knowledge

• Are you familiar with the five major food groups?
• Are you up-to-date with current events and food scares?
• Are you familiar with how to check food labels for caloric and nutritional information?
• Can you give me an example of what you consider to be a healthy meal?

Restrictions and Expectations

• Will you be open to only feeding kids foods we suggest or set aside?
• Will you be open to bringing kids only to certain restaurants?
• Will you be open to controlling food for our kids during playgroup situations?
• Will you be open to allowed or restricted ingredients that we mandate for our kids?
• Will you be open to calorie-counting on the job and/or weighing kids on the job?
• Are you open to completing a food log for our kids or each one separately?

Food Preparation

• Are you comfortable preparing the food yourself or do you need it pre-prepared for you? (Are you open to and comfortable with cooking on the job?)
• Are you open to allowing us to prepare all meals?
• Are you familiar with how to prepare ______ foods, should we require it? (i.e. vegan, vegetarian, raw foods, organic, kosher, gluten-free.)
• Are you able to administer medicine that must be taken with food?

Allergies and Safety

• Will you be able to quickly become familiar with our kids allergies and their medications?
• Do you know the Poison Control hotline?
• Can you do the Heimlich maneuver?