My husband and I are in need of a night out, but with netiher one of us being from this area, we don't have anyone to watch the kids. I want to hire a babysitter so that we can have a much needed night out, but I am very skeptical of just hiring some person at random. What is the best way to go about finding a sitter? What kind of references, etc should I ask for? Are there companies in which you can go through to get a sitter that has already had a background check etc?
Thanks!
There is a place called Adventure Kids Playcare in Plano at Park/Preston which offers part time and drop in babysitting. Heard it is really neat place. I think they are open till 10 during the week and midnight on weekends. They have locations in Southlake, Flowermound, North Dallas too I think.
There are agencies like Mom's Best Friend which I work at and I am also interested in helping out. I have over 20 yrs of childcare experience, am cpr/first aid certified. I am a Registered Medical Assistant and a Certified Night Nanny.
I have Great references and watch some children of the mothers from this site.
My passions are making a difference, helping others and the Love that I have for Children. I also have a 16 yr old a 2 yr old as well.
If you have questions please don't hesistate to contact me.
Thanks
M.
____@____.com
Our neighborhood has a website and after you go through the secured area, you can search for babysitters in the neighborhood. Most of them are high school age, etc. I call them, talk to them, ask for references and talk to parents who have children about babysitting age.
Right now is not the best time but I have found a couple of great sitters at the school bus stop.
Good luck.
Susan
It has taken me a while to find a few babysitters I like that I can call on when we need one. Some of the things I have done are-
1. look in my neighborhood newsletter
2. ask friends or acquaintances (some will actually share and some will not)
3. if you belong to a church you can ask the youth pastor or ask around in your Sunday School class to see if anyone has teenagers that babysit
4. recently I met girls who get along really well with my kids at the pool or the park in my neighborhood -- there have been a couple that really played with my girls and acted like they liked them when they really didn't have to. If they are old enough I ask for their contact info and reference
The key to all of these is their references. I would never use an unknown person without calling references. Also I have used the drop-in sitter place and they are really good. Actually much more fun that just being at home for my kids.
Hello! Sittercity.com is a good website. They show all of the qualifications. Only problem is that you are going to "pay" for what you get. You would be fine with paying a H.S. kid $5 but many of these people are asking for $15/hr for one kid. They are well-qualified BUT I could never afford that...Anyway, you might also look on craigslist. I advertise my PNO's on there and there are many other registered caregivers that adv. on there.
