How to hire a babysitter

[PaDisney02]

Hi, I am thinking about hiring a babysitter. My husband and I are just looking for someone to watch our kids maybe once a month so we can go out to the movies or something. How do I go about hiring a babysitter? Any tips? I like the idea of having a girl that I have hired, so I dont have to rely on my parents and our family, but I'm also a little nervous about leaving my kids with someone we dont really know. Has anyone ever been in the same situation? What types of questions did you ask the sitter? Did you use a nanny agency? Did you run a background check? Any tips are greatly appreciated! Thanks

 

[clh2]

Ideas to consider to find a baby sitter:

Who do your neighbors use? Word of mouth is a wonderful way to find a sitter.

Many people from our church have asked our DD if she baby sits - so that is an option too.

Do you have any coworkers who you know - do any of their kids babysit?

Are your kiddos in daycare or preschool? Sometimes, the daycare and preschool workers will babysit.

Do any of your kids have friends with older sibs that babysit? That is how we found one of our sitters.

I personally would not try go with a nanny service, but I am cheap!

 

[wdwmom2]

clh2, very good suggestions!!!!!

 

[DisneyLover83]

I was a nanny for 4 years and unless you want someone fulltime or close to fulltime do not use an agency. It will cost you more per hour than you need to spend. Try and find someone thru word or mouth or a local newsletter, etc. You could also put an ad in a local college newspaper if you are looking for an older person (but be prepared to pay more).

 

[Ohiodislover]

I was also going to say church. My DD went through a babysitting course at church, and works in the nurseries. She makes tons of connections, and has more jobs than she can do.

 

[postage stamp]

Check with the Y or local park districts that offer the Red Cross Babysitting certification. They can usually put you in contact with the graduates.

I got a TON of business that way when I was younger.

 

[debster812]

Ideas to consider to find a baby sitter:

Who do your neighbors use? Word of mouth is a wonderful way to find a sitter.

Many people from our church have asked our DD if she baby sits - so that is an option too.

Do you have any coworkers who you know - do any of their kids babysit?

Are your kiddos in daycare or preschool? Sometimes, the daycare and preschool workers will babysit.

Do any of your kids have friends with older sibs that babysit? That is how we found one of our sitters.

I personally would not try go with a nanny service, but I am cheap!

Bolding mine. This is what we did all the time, when DS was little. We'd hire one of the assistants from his day care classroom. Most of them were college aged young ladies, going to school for their Early Elementary Degrees. They were background checked by the state, 1st Aid and CPR certified, always came with a BIG bag of toys and activities, and it was someone DS was comfortable with. If your kids are not in day care, it's still a good idea, you just need to check with the directors of any centers near you.

 

[dicar123]

If you know the babysitter's parents, be wary of a bad outcome.

We hired the daughter of my husband's co-worker. She said a neighbor (who doesn't smoke) came and bought some of my cigarettes. Spoke to the neighbor, she said no way. Sorry, I don't furnish smokes to 15 year olds, even if they pay me.

Then we found out that, somehow, a lightswitch plate got broken. I don't care one bit about a broken lightswitch plate, except when the babysitter tapes it together, puts it back hoping I don't notice, and instructs my son to play dumb.

She spent all her time on the phone, and had boys over at my house.

Her dad was certain that she was "the good one". We felt obligated to let him know that perhaps he needed to look a little more closely.

 

[golfgal]

I was always the babysitting resource for all of our friends, I taught at the middle and high schools in town and knew most of the teenagers. If you know someone that is a teacher in the schools, even the older elementary grades, they will probably have some good recommendations. I would start asking neighbors and friends too.

 

[PatsGirl]

Local church group, girls scout troop, friends older siblings. When my kids were very young I paid premium$ to have their preschool teachers babysit but once they became school-age I was content with sitters that had their Red Cross certificates and that I got references for from other parents.

 

[java]

My 12 year old took a babysitting course at the Hospital. She is NOT CPR certified as a result of that class- but she did go get that as well.

I will agree that word of mouth is the best way. If there is a good sitter though sometimes people won't share. My daughter is making a ton of $$ as everyone is trying to be her "favorite" for the upcoming holidays! I think I should start babysitting.