How did you recruit your babysitter?

[Chuffinnora]

I need my social life back and need to find a babysitter. I can't ask any family members, friends all have kids and we wouldn't be able to go out together and none of my neighbours or friends have any handy teenagers I could ask. I checked the babysitting sites but none have a sitter in my area. Any ideas?

Put an ad in your local classified mag.

Gumtree is normally your friend! Or net mums

Try asking around - mums at schools etc and ask who they use!! There must be people in your areas who use babysittters?

what area are you in? maybe someone on here who babysits is local to you.

I put an ad in the childcare department of my local college and got a girl who is doing her NVQ in childcare.

They've all been CRB checked and they are all fairly used to children so it seemed the most sensible option.

Church newsletter
Postcard at newsagents/village store

If your child goes to a youth group, then ask there about teenage youth group members who may be looking to babysit (eg. Guide/Scout/St.John Ambulance group)

I'm in West Wales. Think the idea about the childcare dept is a good one as it is just down the road from my house.
I will also look into the youth group/church idea.
Thanks

perhaps we need to start a babysitter thread so people on here who do babysit can state area they cover, quals and experience and their rates.

I put up a local ad. - girl turned out to be a nightmare.

I used Sitters - woman was cold, dd asked me not bring a stranger again

Eventually - I as a girl advertising.. she had done a 'babysitting' course at her local college during the shcool holidays.. learnt basic first aid etc.. had lal litlle forms (bless her) she's been fab.. so my recommendation.. Call your local colleges ask if they are doing a similar scheme and if there's a a way you can find out if there's anybody local..

i used sitters, tried 5 or 6 different ladies and settled on the present one. i now bypass sitters and book her myself.

Some childminder offer this as an extra - try ringing round? (you can get a list from childrend informtion service) The benefits of using a childcare professional are:- They will have CRB check, refrences, will have attended first aid courses etc.

Some childminder offer this as an extra - try ringing round? (you can get a list from childrend informtion service) The benefits of using a childcare professional are:- They will have CRB check, refrences, will have attended first aid courses etc.

I've used sitters for years and have always been really pleased with the ladies who come to me.

i could never find one so i started this website and now I have thousands to choose from!
I did n't get on with Sitters, sadly, as they wouldnt let the babysitter bath or medicate my severely eczema -y child (who needed reg medication and bathing)

I got mine through my DDs nursery

Wow overthemill, you have 4 sitters in my area AND one does overnight AND it's cheaper than sitters!

Brilliant.

OverTheMill, does your website's postcode search work? I've just tried 3 postcodes and no babysitters showing up with 25miles of any of them.

Will register as a parent anyhow.

Ps. You might end up with your post being removed as technically you have to pay to advertise

yes i know. i try to be discreet and honestly am not advertising, just telling you about options. there are other sites i know!! eg sitters, www.nannyjob.co.uk

the postcode search does work (just checked!) but I guess there may not be any babysitters in your area yet - where are you, i can try to get some sign up. I started the site from my own experience, i planned to do my home county but it just mushroomed into nationwide but relies on my paid for ads for sitters plus wod of mouth.
if anyone knows any one who babysits tell them

I searched on a number of MK postcodes, obviously just none registered yet

I will keep an eye on the site as I'm always looking for reliable peopele. I have one girl at the moment who is great but always good ot have a back up plan

not sure exactly where you are (I am MK45) but I have done some leafleting recently and also asked at schools - getting 6th formers and also at the colleges to sign up. i also target childminders/teaching assistants/nannies.

REally? you are local to me(?) I am M K 4 3

ooh now i want to know exactly where you are!! I think it must be up near the famous abbey? or the college that sounds like a gaskell/trollope novel??

I use one of the younger nursery nurses from dd1's nursery. It's brilliant, she's CRB checked, dd1 has known her for 3 years and sees it as a treat if she comes. Best option for me, total peace of mind.

I tried that but I was too far out for any of the nursery nurses and now dd is at school I've lost the ability to ask