Childcare for weekend evening/baby sitting?

[Inapickleoflife]

Other than my parents we don't have family who could look after dc on weekends. And my parents struggle with the baby and cam only have them a few times a year. How do other people who don't have family babysitters find someone who they pay to have dc? Thinking that it would be nice to occasionally go out for a meal or cinema with dh childfree but don't know any suitable older teenagers to ask and don't know where to start looking for a reliable trust worthy sitter. Anyone use a baby sitter and have any suggestions on where I could look?

My friend found a lovely uni. student to babysit on this site.

www.childcare.co.uk/

My relatives put an advert on the local college noticeboard.

I've used sitters.co.uk and got on well.

Staff from the nursery that my youngest attends. They are a bit more expensive but worth it.

A neighbor across the hallway babysits for me sometimes. Also some of the families living below me advertise their services for clients as well on a notice board in the lobby. I’ve also asked my partner to babysit.

Parents usually find me these days via childcare.co.uk but have had a couple from knowing of me on Mumsnet.

The key I think is to find someone you trust. I meet families before babysitting for the first time, helps to find the home during daylight and get to know people. Be picky, find someone you and your children gel with.

What area are you from? It might help in suggestions which are local to you. Keeley

There’s an app called Bubble that works well for me. You get a little bio on each sitter and can choose which one you think will suit you/your kids the best