Find a Babysitter

Finding a Babysitter can be a daunting task, often more intimidating than choosing full time professional childcare. This is because full time childcare is often registered with Ofsted and monitored by local authority, and is almost always undertaken by a professional with relevant qualifications and checks.

A Babysitter can be the neighbour’s fifteen-year-old son or daughter, quite a decision to take with your own child’s sole care while you enjoy a well-deserved night out!

Who seeks Babysitter jobs?
All ages for a wide variety of reasons, from a teenager wanting to subsidise their earnings, support their studies or begin a career in childcare, to a young Mum wanting to earn extra money while caring for their own children right through to the retired pensioner, who loves children. However as stated above a Babysitter is often unqualified and often quite young.

So what steps do you take when trying to find a Babysitter?
• Always interview a potential Babysitter
• Read the Babysitters C.V. – ask to keep a copy
• Always take up at least 2 references, I would recommend following up written references with a telephone call
• Avoid relying on personal references, friends and family will rarely be objective
• Ask for any certificates of relevant training (originals)
• Allow the Babysitter to meet your children, so that you can observe their interaction with your child/ren
• Have a written set of questions to ask each applicant in the interview
• Trust your instincts, if something doesn’t feel right don’t book the Babysitter, even if you are friends with the Babysitters family
• Agree (in writing) the terms of engagement
• Try to make the first time you use a Babysitter a short booking or arrive home earlier than intended, as a sort of spot check

How can you find a Babysitter?
Firstly I would recommend that you find more than one Babysitter as you may find if you only have one Babysitter he or she may not be available for some of your Babysitter jobs.
Places to find a Babysitter
• Place a card in your local shop window
• Look for cards placed in shop windows by Babysitters looking for babysitter jobs
• Ask friends and neighbours
• Join a Babysitters agency
• Ask local day nurseries or nursery schools if you can put up a card advertising your Babysitters jobs to their staff
• Ask around at your local schools
• Join a Babysitters circle – this is where you trade your Babysitting within a group of parents in exchange for Babysitting
• Register with www.available2work.com to find Babysitters or advertise your Babysitter jobs
Babysitter jobs etiquette:
• Always be clear about the time your Babysitter job is to start
• Always keep your booking or provide maximum notice if cancelling, preferably at least 24 hours
• Always leave your home clean, fresh and tidy – never expect your Babysitter to do housework, unless this has been agreed at the interview (you would probably have to pay extra for additional domestic duties)
• Ensure you have the basic refreshments in - tea, coffee, sugar and milk (do not leave alcohol for the Babysitter to drink)
• Always leave a contact number and make sure you can be reached at that number the whole time you are out
• Always pay the Babysitter at the end of the evening, do not ask to defer payment
• Always try to arrive back by the time stated, if you are running late always call and let your Babysitter know
• If you do arrive back late pay the Babysitter extra
• Always stick to the agreements made as the terms of engagement and discuss any amendments

Good Babysitters are hard to find. If you find a Babysitter that is safe, trustworthy, reliable and that your children like, look after him or her so that you can fill your Babysitter jobs with confidence.