Finding a great babysitter can be daunting at first, especially if you don’t have close family nearby to lend a hand. It can be hard to trust someone you barely know with your little ones, but amazing babysitters are all around. You just have to keep your eyes open.
Get a Friend’s Recommendation
If you have friends who use a babysitter often, ask them how they found the babysitter and how their children get along with her. If the sitter sounds like someone you would be interested in using, you can ask whether their babysitter is open to watching new children. More than likely, if close friends trust their children with the babysitter, you will too. You can also ask them all the questions you need answered to make an informed decision before even contacting the prospective sitter.
It’s also a good idea to ask your coworkers who they use to watch their children. My husband is a teacher and found out some of his colleagues’ children are the perfect babysitting age.
Ask Extracurricular Instructors
Does your child take swim lessons, attend gymnastics classes or participate in other extracurricular activities? If so, there’s a good chance your kids love their instructors! You might be surprised how often these instructors get asked to babysit other children. The best part about using an instructor is your children are probably already comfortable with the familiar person, which makes leaving them much easier on you. If your particular instructor isn’t available, chances are that person has friends or knows someone who teaches another class that is available.
Online Options
Several online apps make finding a babysitter much easier. Care.com is a website that helps you connect with caregivers in your area. You can select how often you need care, the amount of experience you prefer a sitter to have, how quickly you need care and any other specifications you would prefer, such as CPR certification or having their own transportation. You can also do background checks. When I did a search in my zip code, I found 39 matches! The basic service is free, but for premium features you can subscribe for as low as $13 per month.
The Nextdoor app is another great option for finding childcare. Nextdoor is a neighborhood hub that makes exchanging information with your neighbors easier. Just post that you’re looking for childcare in your neighborhood and see who responds. This is a nice option, because the responses will be coming from your own neighborhood and you might end up knowing who responds to your post, instead of it being a random stranger.
According to Care.com, the average rate for a babysitter in Kansas City is $12.50 per hour.
Check Social Media
It might seem a bit odd to post about your childcare needs on your personal Facebook page or other social media platforms, but it can be a great way to get leads from people you know and trust: your friends. With just one post, you will likely end up with several babysitters to check out. You can also post in local parenting groups to ask for recommendations from people you might not know. Social media is a great way to get several leads at once, and then you can decide which option is best for you.
Daycare Teachers
Does your child love her daycare teacher? Ask her whether she babysits on the weekends. Using a teacher is an ideal situation, because your children probably have a close bond with her already. The teacher also knows all about your kids’ allergies, favorite foods and favored games and toys. A daycare teacher will also be CPR and first aid certified and have a love for children that spurred the choice off childcare as a livelihood.
Retired Friends and Neighbors
When we have been in a pinch on weekdays, we have reached out to retired friends and neighbors to watch our daughter for a few hours. It has worked out great, because they have flexible hours and usually enjoy the company. Some of our neighbors watch their grandchildren during the day too, so it’s like a fun play date for the kids!
Checklist for the Babysitter
When you have a new babysitter, be helpful by leaving an information sheet for him. The sheet can provide house rules regarding snacks, screen time, bedtime and other do’s and don’ts. Along with that, ask the sitter to record what your child ate that day, his naptimes and bedtimes, diapering information and other special notes. You can also leave all your emergency contacts, just in case!
Regan Lyons is a freelance writer who lives in St. Joseph, MO, with her husband, 6-year-old daughter and soon-to-be newborn baby girl.