Good Babysitters?

[Vicky]

What's your criteria for finding a good babysitter? Do you go on Craigslist, to older kids in the neighborhood, or through a service? I'm a bit paranoid because I had a very bad experience with a babysitter when I was younger, and am overly cautious now.

[jennifer beer-dietz]

I too was a paranoid mommy when it came to hiring a sitter. A friend of mine recomended a website to me called sittercity.com in this website they run background checks on all sitters, nannys, mommys helpers etc. You can see the results from the check and run one yourself. You create a profile and post what your looking for. And then people apply. You can meet and interview them and if your comfortable with that person hire them. I've used it and am completly happy with the sitter I met. She's reliable trustworthy honest and very dependable. Check it out.

[Joanie Betsinger]

Check with your local middle and high schools, as well as with your community education department. Many of them have babysitting classes, with some pretty awesome students. Joanie B. MN.

[Pamela Miller]

I found a great part time drop-in daycare for my daughter using craigslist. I contacted a couple of people on there that had listings and met with them before deciding that one would work. For basic everyday babysitting, though, you could check with other moms and see if they have any recommendations. My husband is a teacher, so we have easy access to good kids who want to babysit. Church might be another place to ask around.

[Becky]

I see that sittercity and CL have already been mentioned.


You could also try:

enannysource.com

and

care.com



Becky

Resident Mom

[Carman C Usry]

There is a website call sittercity.com that can find child care providers in you area. You can narrow your search by adding qualifications you require. Its a great site.
My qualifications are experience, cpr and first aid certified. Hope this helps.

[Johnina Regish]

Wish I could help but, we just use Grandma. I'd be lost without her!

[Thea]

My friend suggested SitterCity to me before and they have the best babysitting service. Great thing about sittercity is that they have a background check on all their babysitters. You can be sure of those you hire to take care of your kids. The one we hired was really very organized and my son simply adores her.

[Sandra Stehly]

I used word of mouth. Age wasn't relevant - the best babysitter we ever had (years ago, for my then-7 month old and four year old) was a nine-year old girl from the neighborhood. She was more responsible than any teenager I'd ever met. We used her until my oldest was about 6 or 7 and could stay home by himself. I wouldn't trust an ad or anything else; word of mouth recommendations is all I used.

[RunningMama]

we belong to a neighborhood parent email list and also a local playgroup. All of our babysitters have come recommended from these parents. I also belong to a Sorority and am an advisor for the local chapter campus. They have a babysitting list and, since I work with these collegiate ladies, I know I can trust them.

When we first get a babysitter, though, we make sure she (we've never had a male babysitter) gets along well with our daughter and that she seems confident of her babysitting skills. If I like her, too, then we'll hire her!

[Sandra Stehly]

Why have you never had a male babysitter? I'm just curious. My son is Red Cross certified and has never had a problem getting jobs.

[The Nanny Exchange]

The most important decision you can make as a mother is finding the right care for your children.  I recommend going through your local "Nanny Placement Agency".  They personal interview each of the nannies and do background and reference checks on them as well.  Their nannies must have verified pervious experience with children that are the same age as your children.  I would definately give it a try!