What should I include on a babysitter information sheet?

The essentials are: your contact details and a venue address for the evening, emergency numbers including your GP and nearest A&E, any medical conditions or allergies for each child, medications and where they're kept, bedtime and meal routines, and any house rules that are important to you. A one-page printed sheet covering all of this is usually enough.

Should I give my babysitter written notes or just tell them everything?

Both, if you can. A verbal handover before you leave helps your sitter feel comfortable and gives them a chance to ask questions. Written babysitter notes serve as a reference once you're gone - especially useful for things like exact bedtimes, allergy details, or emergency numbers that are easy to forget under pressure.

How much detail should I go into about my child's routine?

Enough that your sitter can follow it without guessing. You don't need to write an essay - a brief sequence with times is usually sufficient. The more important the routine (particularly bedtime), the more specific you should be. If your child has a particular comforter or sleep ritual that matters, write it down.

What medical information should I always include?

Any allergy - however minor you think it is - should be listed, along with what to do if it's triggered. Regular medications, their doses, and when they're due. Any ongoing medical condition the sitter should be aware of. And the location of any emergency medication like an EpiPen. If there's a formal action plan from a GP or specialist, include a copy.

Do I need a new information sheet for every babysitter?

Not necessarily. A core sheet covering emergency contacts, medical information, and routines can stay the same for a while - you'll just need to update it when things change (new medication, a child dropping their nap, a new house alarm code). If you're using the same sitter regularly, they'll quickly learn most of this by heart anyway.