How to Find a Babysitter Online

For many parents, finding a quality babysitter can be a daunting task. In addition to finding advice, support, information and more, you can now use the Internet to locate babysitters in your area. Follow these step-by-step guidelines to locate and hire a babysitter online.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Searching the Web for Babysitters

1. Go to a babysitter referral website and enter your zip code for babysitters in your area (see Resources below).

2. Browse the listings provided for your area. Information provided through a free search includes each sitter's full biography, photo, resume and availability.

3. Complete the registration requirements for the site of your choice. Many of the sites offer free trials, but only allow upgraded members to access contact information. The free trial offer allows parents to post their babysitting needs, and trial members will receive an email when a sitter is available.

Hiring a Babysitter

4. Pay for your membership in order to access contact information for the babysitters who fit your needs.

5. Answer questions regarding your needs, such as whether you are looking for a long-term or short-term babysitting situation.

6. Utilize the background check option provided by the site you have chosen to use.

7. Call the references for each sitter you are considering.

8. Perform an interview, and pay close attention to your parental intuition when encountering anyone who will be alone with your children. Set a time for the sitter to spend time with your child while you are home, and observe the interaction. Children are very perceptive.

Tips & Warnings

• When communicating with the sitter's references, ask if she can give you the name and number of another reference.
• Try the sites for free and choose the one that works best for you before paying for a membership.
• Some sites also offer house-sitting, pet-sitting and tutors.
• As with most websites, read the "fine print" before paying for a membership.
• Be sure that the site is trusted and is a member of the Better Business Bureau.
• Always interview a sitter before allowing him to be alone with your child!
• Most babysitter referral sites advertise their screening process before accepting a sitter, but some do not screen the sitters who register. Always be cautious.

Resources

• sittercity.com
• care.com
• babysitters4hire.com
• Sittercity.com's Better Business Bureau info
• care.com's Better Business Bureau info.

[dawnphilips]

on 4/1/2009 There are a couple other alternatives. I have had great success with tippleBox (www.tipplebox.com). You can search for sitters in your neighborhood by any criteria you need or post a job and let them find you. Best of all, it's free which is a big plus in this current economic climate