Having a babysitter medical consent form can be a good thing for both the parents of a child and the childcare provider. Both sides benefit from such a document, as this simple legal step can make a world of difference if an emergency situation should occur.
What Is a Babysitter Medical Consent Form?
A babysitter medical consent form is a simple and straightforward document that authorizes medical treatment for your child should it become necessary in your absence.
- Without this form, a childcare provider is unable to ensure your baby will receive prompt and effective medical care if needed.
- The only person legally able to give such permission is a parent, unless a form is on record. For this reason, many parents have a babysitter medical consent form filled out for every person who will be caring for their child, even if it is just for one evening out on the town.
- In general, these forms are not totally necessary as most medical professionals presume consent if a child's life would be threatened by delaying treatment because a parent or guardian is not available.
Printable Babysitter Medical Consent Form
This free, printable babysitter medical consent form PDF template includes space for up to three children and provides authorization for consent to medical treatment of a minor child. Click on the image of the template to download it. You can fill in most of the information online then print one or more copies. Use the handy Adobe guide for troubleshooting when using PDFs. Once printed, all parents/guardians and the designated babysitter can sign the form in front of a witness who will also sign the form.
Information Found on the Medical Consent Form
For a medical consent form to be valid, you can either use a professional template found online, or create your own. If you do draft your own, you will want to make sure it includes all necessary information. Repeat this information for each child in your family, as it is perfectly legal to include more than one family member authorization on the same form.
- A statement that authorizes medical intervention like, "In case of an emergency, I grant permission to (caregiver's full legal name) to make medical decisions for my children, whose information is listed below."
- Child's full name, date of birth, allergies, past surgeries and other important medical information
- Child's primary care doctor's name and phone number
- Child's medical insurance provider and membership number
- Parent/guardian personal information including full legal name, address, and phone number
- Your signature with the date
- Signature from a witness with the date
Who Uses Consent Forms?
Any parent can create a consent form for any caretaker, and it is your right to require individuals to sign this piece of paper if they are caring for your child. Some parents may find it difficult to ask a friend or family member to sign such a document; however, it ensures the well being of your child while you are away, which likely supersedes any feelings of self-consciousness you may be experiencing.
- Child Care Facilities: If your child goes to a private daycare while you work, you will undoubtedly be signing a medical consent form. Legally, most childcare facilities must have these forms on record, and without them, they could lose their licensing. To keep all their ducks in a row, you will most likely be asked to sign this form the moment your child is enrolled in the care facility.
- Public and Private Schools: If you have an older child, his/her elementary school, whether it is public or private, may have a medical consent form for you to fill out. Again, it comes down to legalities and will help guarantee your child will receive swift medical response to everything from a playground injury to sudden serious illness.
- Private Babysitters: Generally teenage babysitters under the age of 18 cannot enter into legal contracts unless they relate to necessities such as medical care, which may or may not include medical release forms for babysitters. It's best to consult with a lawyer in your state to see if your teen babysitter can enter into a medical consent contract under their laws.
- Family Members: Grandparent's, aunt's, uncle's, and step-parent's rights don't include consenting to medical treatment for your children unless you designate this duty on a minor medical release form or consent form.
Giving Consent for Care
Keeping legal medical consent forms for anyone who might care for your child in your absence can give you peace of mind when you are away. Check with your local doctor's office, hospital, or a lawyer to see how to create and use babysitter medical consent forms in your area. In some cases you may keep these on hand with the babysitters and on other occasions it might be best to keep them on file at your child's doctor.
