Questions Worth Asking a Nanny or Babysitter About Pool Supervision

Most families vet a nanny or babysitter thoroughly on the basics, references, background checks, experience — but water safety specifically sometimes gets skipped, especially if the interview happens indoors and the pool never comes up.

Ask directly, don't assume

"Are you comfortable supervising kids around the pool, and do you know CPR?" is a simple, direct question that a lot of families never actually ask. A caregiver who's confident and honest about their limits here is worth more than one who says yes to everything.

Set the actual rule, not just the general expectation

"Never leave the pool area if a child is in or near the water, even to grab something inside" is a specific, enforceable rule, much clearer than a general "keep an eye on the kids" that leaves room for a quick trip inside that turns into ten minutes.

Tell them what your kids can actually do

A caregiver should know which kids in their care can swim confidently and which can't, rather than guessing based on age. It's a two-minute conversation that removes a lot of ambiguity.