How do I find a babysitter? SE London

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I'd like to find someone for occasional babysitting, probably most often in the evenings. We don't have family nearby and don't know anyone with children old enough to babysit for us. DH and I haven't had a night out since DS was born over two years ago and I just want to find someone we could use on a casual basis but have no idea where to begin.

Does your ds go to a nursery? I've just had the same dilemma and found a babysitter through asking around at dd1's nursery - the daughter of one of the helpers is interested, but there were also students doing work experience tha I could have asked. Otherwise, any teenage neighbours? Or any friends with nannies or au pairs who might be interested in a bit of extra money? Sometimes there are notices in newsagents or in church halls.

Failing all of the above, you could try and form a babysitting circle (plenty of advice on other threads) or see if there's an existing one you could join.

HTH

I leafleted the 200 nearest houses to mine to set up a babysitting circle. There are only 3 of us, but it works out. Plus I picked up some old ladies on the way. Church and nursery and neighbours are the other leading suppliers!

I've just joined Sitters but haven't used them yet. Looks good on paper though!

Thanks for the info. I looked at the Sitters site and will show it to DH. That sounds like the kind of thing I'm looking for. I've been thinking about a babysitting circle but I don't want to babysit someone else's children. I'd rather find someone that I can pay and not feel indebted in any way.

We're in a tough situation for babysitters in that DS doesn't go to nursery yet, we don't belong to a church and we're fairly new to the area so we don't know many people. Don't know anyone with teenage kids, an au pair or nanny. At least, not close enough to come over and babysit.

I thought about putting a notice in the newsagents but then you just never know who you're going to get. Maybe Sitters is the answer.

binkie alerted me to the website gumtree . You might post something on that or find someone willing to do casual babysitting (I've seen a few ads for that) in your area in the "positions wanted" section.

Haven't used it yet, but it looks great.

I use Little Master and Misses - same lines as Sitters I guess, but is local. Their number is 020 8771 5122. Debbie runs the agency and knows all the sitters (who usually work/have worked in childcare). Its always fairly reliable and I've had some gems of sitters (she also takes daytime bookings too). Now that the ds's are a bit older I'm using next door's 16 yo a bit more often.