If you’ve just uprooted your family and moved to a new city, finding childcare for your family can be hard. You want to find someone who’s trustworthy and responsible, but how can you find that perfect person when you’re new in town? There are a few great resources that can help you track down the best childcare provider for you and your family.
Where to look for babysitters
Searching for a suitable babysitter can be an exhausting hunt. Start by collecting as many prospects as possible. Ask for recommendations from mom groups, co-workers, friends, or anyone else you trust locally. You can also find potential childcare through websites and apps such as Care.com, Urban Sitter, Sitter City, or Sitter. Most of these websites will perform a background check for you to rule out options. You may also find college students looking to earn some extra cash at your local college's job board. These resources should give you plenty of trustworthy sitters to interview.
How to find the right one
Once you have your favored prospects, contact them and arrange a time to conduct an interview. Before the meeting, ask them about their availability and commitment to make sure you aren't wasting your time on someone who isn't able to take the job. At the interview take notes of things such as what time they arrive, how they present themselves, and how they talk about children. Make a list of several questions to ask each interviewee. Ask them questions about their previous babysitting experiences, how they would handle an emergency, how they would respond to conflict among your children, and what their certifications are. It can be intimidating to ask someone you don't know probing questions about their personal life, but keep in mind, this person may potentially be with your child for long periods. It's important to get to know the inquirer as well as you possibly can in the time of the interview. Asking questions will help you rule out any red flags. During the meeting, request three or more references and make a point to call each one before you hire anyone.
Your new babysitter.
Once you've chosen a great babysitter, consider conducting a working interview. This time would be where you stay home while your potentially soon-to-be babysitter interacts with your children. Now is also an excellent opportunity to show them your home, introduce them to the family pet, and helped them familiarize themselves with where things are. Once you feel like it's time to leave the kids for a fun night out, give your new babysitter a call and enjoy yourself.
Finding a person you trust in a new city can be hard, but there are many fantastic childcare options near you. Don't hesitate to ask locals with whom they trust their kids to get someone with prime experience.
