How to find babysitter/childminder

[Random458]

Hi all

I signed up to childcare and also sitters, however I can't message/view people's contact details unless I pay £25 a month

Does anyone have any other suggestions?

Also in the past we have tried to get a babysitter for the odd evening out but they seem to want a proper schedule of when we need them, is it possible to just get one only for when we need them?

Thanks

The babysitters you were asking were obviously looking for regular work. There as you need to find individuals who make it clear they are looking for ocassional work where they can turn you down if the timing doesn't suit them.

You can also go on Nextdoor but most of the people on it offering babysitting services - well at least in my area - are students doing it for the summer. A few will be DBS checked due to doing voluntary work at college/university or the course they are doing but you will probably have to ask a lot of them until you find one who is. There are a few TA/teachers on it.

Oh and a childminder is different from a baby sitter.

They look after your child in their home and have appropriate insurances. If they aren't doing wrap around or holiday care for a school aged child, they have to follow the EYFS.

Okay thank you @Reugny I will check the website you mentioned. Also one more question, sometimes when I messaged before they'd say "just so you know though i'm not childminder I am a nanny" - but they say on their profile they can provide care in their own home or at the parent's home.. so what's the difference?

I think childminders are registered and nannies don't have to be. And/or nanny is with one family, it is unusual to be at their home.

Care. Com let's free users message other free users. I am on there and don't pay. I have had several good jobs! None as weird as the couple who didn't want to meet me first. Literally handed me a baby and went out!

Bubble - an app for occasional babysitting

If your DC attend nursery ask their key worker

If they are in school ask in the playground. It seems to be a law of nature that loads of kids have teenage siblings willing to earn extra cash (if you're near me DD17 can do it )

How old is the child/children?

My little one goes to nursery and I asked their key worker to do the odd bit of babysitting so that DH and I can have a meal out occasionally (as a private arrangement outside of nursery) and they have been more than happy.

Any friends with similar aged children you could start a babysitting circle with? So you babysit for them and vice versa instead of payment...

Nanny comes to your home and is usually on a permanent schedule.

Babysitter comes to your home and is usually on an ad-hoc schedule. It may be a one off booking, or you may have the same person come many times. I had one family use me for 20 years!

I would suggest writing your profile in as clear a way as possible about what you are wanting. Babysitter for evening of x date start time, finish time. You can update your profile very frequently.

Also try other places. I sometimes get work from seeing posts on local Facebook group.

If a nanny were to look after a child in her own home then she would need to be Ofsted registered etc.

Do you have any single parent neighbours? I sat for years for my neighbour’s growing family. They were just across the road so used to take ds with me. Bit of a night out for me and they had better to and a tidy house! I was very clear she was to pay me the same as a teenager but I’d be more trustworthy and not try to smuggle boyfriends in! I’d still be up for it - don’t suppose you live in Grantham…

Better tv that should say!