How do you find a local babysitter

[clair247]

would really like a reliable trustworthy babysitter but don't know any? Any ideas on how to source one?

Do you live in North London at all? If so, I am a reliable and trustworthy babysitter. :)

No, sorry. I'm in Nottinghamshire. There doesn't seem to be anywhere people advertise this service.

There is the advert which usually appears on this page... Childcare.co.uk - people advertise for babysitters on there and parents can look through local childcarer listings.

There is Mumsnetters who Babysit message thread, where childcare providers have posted which areas they babysit in.

Ask around your local area, people at toddler group, at the school gate, at place of worship, community groups - anywhere you go where you might meet other parents, or indeed teens/early 20's (as they may be looking for babysitting work) - though some of us nannies on here are a bit older than that!

Do people not advertise this sort of thing in local newsagents shop windows anymore? I remember doing that back in my teens/20's.

Have you tried putting an ad up in a local village/town shop? May be worth a try, see if any locals respond to it.

You could try asking at local nurseries he any of their staff do babysitting in evenings. Or look on gumtree perhaps.

Our local parish has a list of teenage babysitters who have done the basic first aid course who do babysitting which they publish in their magazine.

childcare.co.uk is pretty good. You will need to pay for membership as not all nannies/babysitters have a paid profile, but email a few of them and ask if they are able to do babysitting in your - either have a specific date or just ask whether they would be willing to do ad hoc ones in the future. I found a brilliant one through them! An infant school teacher so available earlier in the evening than nannies generally are.

Also you could try the other website - Netmums.

Word of mouth - accost other mums at nursery/playgroup. But be warned, some of them jealously guard their babysitters!!! The managers of nurseries will sometimes know people who want additional work babysitting.

I've looked and posted on the threads on here and haven't had any luck at all, sadly.

I make a decision as to who I approach first based on what I am doing. If I am nearby and can get back easily, its just a couple of hours and not a late night, I ask a local teenager first. If I am going to be far away and/or out of reach or late I ask a qualified nanny/teacher.

You could try asking local childminders. Many offer babysitting service.All childminders will be first aid trained, have relevant experience and insurance. For a list of local childminders and contact details contact Family information service.

Hello I am local(ish) depending where in nottingham and as a night nanny also do ad-hoc babysitting and weekend work also. I also know of another night nanny in nottingham who does babysitting work.

feel free to email me [email protected]

or you could try the agency www.kidsmatter.uk.com

Hi Clair247 I have PM'd you. I live in NG10 postcode area so am probably not too far from you.