You found an after-school sitter. The calendars are synced. Pickup is covered. You can finally stop scratching your head about how you’re supposed to be in two places at once. Now comes the next step: Acclimating your sitter into your schedule and helping them learn the routine.
We don’t have to tell you that after-school care can involve a lot of moving pieces: School pickup, snacks, homework, practices, screen time, dinner and everything that pops up in between. Taking a little time to share the details can help your sitter feel more prepared and make those busy afternoons easier for everyone. Here’s how to prepare after-school sitters before day 1.
1. Walk through the after-school routine
Start with the big picture: What does a typical afternoon look like?
Give your sitter a rundown from the moment the school bell rings until you get home. That might include:
- Where and when to pick up each child
- When the kids usually have a snack
- Homework expectations
- Sports, lessons or other activities
- Downtime and screen time
- Chores
- Dinner or meal prep
- Your expected arrival time
If certain things need to happen at specific times, call those out. If your routine is more flexible, let your sitter know that, too. The goal isn’t to script every minute. It’s to give your sitter a framework they can confidently follow.
2. Explain school pickup
Don’t assume pickup is self-explanatory. Even if you’ve done it hundreds of times, it’s your sitter’s first time navigating the car line, dismissal door or sign-out process. Make sure they know:
- Where pickup happens
- What time they should arrive
- Whether they need to be on an authorized pickup list
- Any school-specific dismissal procedures
- Where to park or wait
- What to do if a child isn’t where they’re supposed to be
If your sitter will be driving your children, talk through transportation expectations and make sure they have the appropriate car seats or booster seats, if needed. A trial run can be especially helpful if pickup is complicated.
3. Share what your kids need after school
Kids don’t always walk through the door at 3 p.m. as the best versions of themselves. Some need a snack immediately. Some need 20 minutes to decompress before anyone mentions homework. Others come home ready to tell you approximately 47 stories about their day. Give your sitter the inside scoop. Does your child need some quiet time? Do they do better when they know what’s coming next? Is there a snack that can turn around a rough afternoon? These details may seem small, but they can help your sitter understand your child—and make the transition from school to home a lot smoother.
4. Set expectations around homework
Be specific about what “help with homework” means in your house. Do you want your sitter to make sure assignments are completed? Help when your child gets stuck? Check a school portal? Encourage 20 minutes of reading? Let them know what level of involvement you’re expecting. It’s also helpful to share any strategies that work particularly well for your child. Maybe homework goes better after a snack, at the kitchen table or with a five-minute break between subjects. And tell your sitter what you’d like them to do when homework just isn’t happening. Some afternoons are harder than others.
5. Cover snacks, meals and food rules
Show your sitter where to find the after-school snacks and what your kids can help themselves to. Be sure to discuss any food allergies, dietary needs or restrictions they need to know about. If they’ll be preparing dinner, packing food for practice or ordering something occasionally, go over those expectations too. And if there are strong opinions about snacks in your household (yes, we’re looking at you, “You said I could have three cookies”), a little clarity upfront can save everyone some negotiating.
6. Be clear about screens and house rules
Every household has different rules, and your sitter shouldn’t have to guess yours. Talk through expectations around:
- TV
- Tablets
- Phones
- Video games
- Social media
- Friends coming over
- Outdoor play
- Chores
- Areas of the home that are off-limits
If screens are allowed only after homework or for a certain amount of time, be specific. Clear rules also make it easier for your sitter when a child insists, “But I’m always allowed to do this.”
7. Go over activities… and have a plan for changes
Fall schedules can get complicated fast. If your sitter is responsible for getting kids to soccer, dance, tutoring or other activities, give them the information they’ll need before they’re trying to find the right field with five minutes until practice. Share:
- Addresses
- Start and end times
- What each child needs to bring
- Drop-off and pickup instructions
- Relevant contact information
Then talk about what happens when the schedule changes. Who should your sitter contact if soccer is canceled? What happens if you’re running late? Can they agree to a spontaneous playdate, or should they check with you first? A plan for the unexpected can be just as important as the schedule itself.
8. Share safety information and communication preferences
Before your sitter’s first day, make sure they have the information they would need if something unexpected happens. That includes:
- Your contact information
- Backup emergency contacts
- Allergies or medical information they need to know
- Relevant medication instructions
- Where first-aid supplies are kept
- Home security or alarm information
- What to do if they can’t reach you
Then talk about everyday communication, too. Would you like a text when everyone is home from school? An update before they leave for practice? A quick recap at the end of the afternoon? There isn’t one right answer. What’s important is making sure you and your sitter know what to expect from each other.
A quick first-day checklist
Before your sitter takes over the after-school shift, make sure you’ve covered:
- School pickup instructions
- Weekly activity schedule
- Emergency contacts
- Allergies and important health information
- Snacks and meals
- Homework expectations
- Screen-time and house rules
- Transportation details
- Communication preferences
- Keys, codes or other home-access instructions
Save the list somewhere easy to find, and update it when your family’s routine changes. (Here’s a template you can use to get started.)
Give everyone time to find their rhythm
Even the most organized first day won’t cover every scenario. Your sitter is getting to know your family’s routines, and your kids are getting used to having someone new as part of their afternoons. Questions will come up. Schedules will change. Someone will inevitably forget a water bottle five minutes after leaving for practice. That’s normal.
Clear expectations and open communication can help everyone settle into a routine that works. And once you’ve found that rhythm, having another trusted adult helping with the afternoon shuffle can make a busy school week feel a whole lot more manageable. Still looking for after-school help? Find a sitter who fits your family’s routine at Sittercity.
