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Babysitting on Farms

A babysitter on a farm is responsible for children in a place with real hazards. This guide covers what to tell and show a sitter before you leave.

What makes babysitting on a farm different?

A sitter in town watches for stairs and stoves. A sitter on a farm also watches for machinery, animals, water, chemicals, and long distances from help. A sitter may be new to all of it.

Because farm families often have mixed ages in one home, with workers and visitors coming and going, clear communication matters more than usual.

Children are also affected. A child who is used to a certain adult may test a new sitter, so tell children the rules in front of the sitter.

What should you tell the sitter before you leave?

Walk the sitter through the house and yard. Show them the boundaries, the places that are off limits and the places children may play. Point out the fenced play area, the barn, the machine lot and any water.

Share a written sheet with your cell number, the address, the number of a nearby adult and the number for poison control. Make sure the sitter knows the address of the farm, since a road name may not be obvious to a dispatcher.

Include bedtime, meals, screen rules and any children's fears, since a farm house at night can be unfamiliar and noisy. Ask the sitter to keep the children inside or in the fenced area for the whole time unless you have agreed on something else in advance.

• Boundaries and off-limits areas
• Where adults can be reached
• Farm address and nearest cross road
• Allergies, medicines and special needs

How should the sitter handle emergencies?

The sitter should call 911 for any serious emergency and give the address clearly. Do not expect a sitter to attempt a rescue or treat a serious injury. Their job is to call for help, keep the children safe and stay calm.

Show the sitter where the first aid kit and fire extinguishers are, and where to meet outside in an emergency. The American Red Cross offers babysitting and first aid courses, and many sitters benefit from them.

Practice a fire exit with the sitter and children before you leave for the first time. Know two ways out of the house and a place to meet.

Who should be the sitter?

Choose someone who is mature, responsible and willing to follow rules. Age requirements and legal responsibilities vary, so ask your local authorities and the American Red Cross for guidance. Do not leave very young children in charge of younger siblings for long periods.

If the sitter is a teen, check what work is allowed. Child labor rules for agriculture are set by the U.S. Department of Labor, and you should confirm what applies. Babysitting inside the home is different from farm work, and your sitter should not be asked to do farm jobs.

If a sitter has a phone, agree on when it is appropriate to use it. Attention on the children is the first safety measure.

What about visitors, workers and animals?

Tell the sitter who may come to the farm while you are away, and who should not. Ask workers to avoid the house yard unless necessary, and tell the sitter how to reach them if needed.

Keep dogs and other animals separated from the children unless you are sure of their behavior, and tell the sitter the rules for pets.

Mention outbuildings and any sheds that are locked. Tell the sitter that nobody, including a child, should enter them.

How do you set a sitter up for success?

Do a trial run while you are nearby. Let the sitter practice calling you and checking boundaries, then ask how it went. Pay fairly and listen to feedback.

Always let the sitter know when you will be back, and check in at agreed times. Be honest about the farm's hazards without scaring the sitter or the children.

Offer to pay for a training course if the sitter is interested. It is an investment in your children's safety.

What should you do when you return?

Ask the sitter how the evening went and whether anything surprised them. Thank them, and use their observations to improve your plan.

Update your written sheet whenever your farm changes, such as a new animal, a new work area or a new phone number.

If the sitter feels uneasy about any part of the evening, make clear that they can call you at any time without being scolded.

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Farm Safety Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.