How to Find a Babysitter When New In Town

You have just moved to a new town and you haven't made any connections yet. You have a toddler, perhaps other young children as well. You'd like some time out alone and need a babysitter. What do you do? Here are some tips on how to find a great babysitter when you're new in town.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Stop by the daycare center at the local YMCA and ask around. Chances are, the daycare workers there also moonlight as babysitters, and you'll know that they've been trained in CPR, and have been background checked as well.

2. Talk to your local children's librarian. Children's librarians are a wealth of information not only about children's literature, but also about child development and local happenings.

3. Sometimes large hotels keep a list of babysitters. If someone you know happens to come to town to visit you and stays in a hotel, have them ask about their babysitter list.

4. Check your local Craigslist. This is a quick and easy way to at least find some care providers to interview.

5. Put an ad in your local parenting newspaper or family magazine. It may take a few weeks to appear, but you will know that your responses will come from people interested in caring for children.

Tips & Warnings

• Always interview your potential babysitter at least once and ask for at least two references. Stay at home while this new babysitter interacts with your children the first time until you are comfortable leaving them alone to care for your kids.