Summer brings special challenges with childcare. It’s a good idea to brainstorm what your needs will be before you interview potential sitters or nannies.

• Will you be traveling and do you require a sitter to accompany you?
• Does the sitter get along with your pets?
• If the nanny is part-time, what are his or her other commitments?
• What is the nanny’s experience with different aged children?
• Will you ever need the sitter to watch other people’s children or take your child to other people’s homes.
• Do you require the sitter to do extra duties in addition to direct childcare like cleaning up after meals and folding the child’s laundry?
• Inquire about emergency situations. You’ll want to look for clues as to the candidates comfort level dealing with urgent situations as well as getting details about particular situations they’ve faced.
• If you’re providing food, make sure you know about special dietary needs.
• Be clear about any specific childcare preferences you have such as schedules and styles of discipline and appropriate play.

The list could go on and on. Here’s a great article on How to Hire a Nanny.