OT - How do you find a babysitter?

[JodyLynC]

I've been reading some threads where some parents are hiring High school girls that are "qualified babysitters" or have CPR training. Where do you find these kids? Do you ask at the local community center or high schools?

DH has been offered a job, but we will need someone to watch the girls from 4pm to 5:30pm during the week. We think the ideal solution is to have a high school girl watch them for the 90 to 120 minutes till I get home. But I have no idea where to look?

I also want to make sure my sitter has a good reputation, no drugs, no trouble in school, etc.

Any suggestions?

 

[thegrimdwarf]

Check local hospitals, YMCA and/or the Red Cross - they usually run "Safe Sitter" classes, and can help you hook up with some class graduates. The graduates won't necessarily be CPR certified, but will be schooled on how to recognize an emergency and what to do.

There's also a Childcare section on Craigslist - you can check your local one.

Good luck!

 

[Aliceacc]

Also, think about contacting the guidance department of your local high school. Be pretty specific about what you're looking for and what you expect to pay.

But do it soon. Schools here are winding down; in your area they may already be done for the summer (but I suspect that guidance personnel are still around.)

 

[juliana_sd]

I've done this twice when looking for sitters to use once a month or so - I post an ad on Craigslist with what I'm looking for and how much I pay. When people respond, if we click over email then I set up a time for them to come over for us all to meet. I also check references. It's worked well so far! Everyone I met in person was an adult, but for a high school student I'd probably want to meet (or at least talk to) their parent.

 

[Kimmumum]

Another option is SAHM's who do before and after school care. This is usually found through word of mouth. Usually more reliable that a teenagers for everyday.

 

[disfan07]

I am an 18 yr old babysitter and have been babysitting for 7 yrs....95% of the families i have ever babysat for have been families from my synagogue
A lot of ppl i know seem to have the best luck with getting responsible high schoolers through churches adn synagogues

Its a very good idea to aske specific questions b/c high schoolers wont alwasy voluntarily give up information.....The information i alwasy give parents up front before they even ask specifics is pretty general adn what i think is important information for all parents to know....i always tell parents....

"my experience is 7 yrs with infants to 10yrs old. I have had experience with up to 5 kids at once and triplets. I am certified in infant and child cpr and first aid. I have worked at a preschool camp for 7 yrs adn i charge $10/hr."

Its basic information...i tell parents before they ask b/c it is information that I FEEL is IMPORTANT for them to know before i will watch their kids.
When you meet babysitters be VERY SPECIFIC with what you want form thema dn with what qualifications you want them to have. Just like a babysitter should not lie to you about being qualified, you as the parent should not be vauge with what you expect from them.

on a side note......i personally think that one of the most important thing for a baysitter to have is CPR and first aid training....I had to use it for the first time last week for choking adn I NEVER thought i would need it but it was the best thing i ever did and i cant imagine someone being willing to take care of kids without tha training

Good luck wiht finding a babysitter....adn trust your instincts...you're the parent, you know what feels right and what does not