How do you find/screen babysitters?

[atlnewf]

I've gotten spoiled having my bil/sil living near us as well as my parents, and their willingness to babysit. Well, bil/sil just moved to a new house and won't be as available. So I'm trying to figure out how to find/screen a baby sitter for the littles. I know I can go through a service (that you pay) that will pre-screen sitters that you can then screen for compatibility. I don't have any teens in my neighborhood to try to screen, and I'm not a member at any local church. So how do you go about finding/screening baby sitters?

Ashley

 

[debster812]

Are there any day care centers near you? Or does your child attend any sort of day care/after school program?

My DS is in private Kindergarten/after care.

There are two of the young ladies that work in the Center that have baby-sat for him on numerous occasions. For me the pluses were huge;

He knows them
They are state certified, and have had extensive background checks
They are used to multiple children under their care, so my one little man is a breeze
They are first aid and child CPR certified
They know lots of cool games and activities

I could go on, but I have had really good luck with this.

 

[atlnewf]

DS is in a pre-k program, DD is at the same place but only part of the time. While I really like the school and teachers, I don't know that they're "available" for babysitting duty.

Ashley

 

[debster812]

It never hurts to ask. I checked with the director of DS's center before I approached either girl. If it is a no-no the director can tell you, and probably give you some good suggestions too.

 

[missymouse3367]

You can always ask @ church.Sometimes your local High School will have a list of teenagers that are willing to babysit. Good Luck .

 

[aprincessmom]

My DS is in private Kindergarten/after care.

There are two of the young ladies that work in the Center that have baby-sat for him on numerous occasions. For me the pluses were huge;

He knows them
They are state certified, and have had extensive background checks
They are used to multiple children under their care, so my one little man is a breeze
They are first aid and child CPR certified
They know lots of cool games and activities

That's how I felt, too, Deb. I still use them even though DD now attends public school. Some of these women have babysat for her since she was an infant.

I pay a premium -- $7-10/hour depending on the person -- but it's worth every penny.

The other families in our neighborhood use babysitters that they know from church, local sport camps (sometimes the older kids work with the younger ones) and through word of mouth from other parents. I don't know how they screen them, though.