Great sitters take time to find, prepare

By Jody Crossman
Gannett News Service

To create the ideal baby-sitting arrangement, doing an interview and reference checks are only the start, experts say. Gannett News Service

Frustrating, isn't it?

Finding a baby sitter, especially on short notice, is a real problem for parents. Many thrive on that valuable time away from the kids, and not having someone to watch the little ones can be as big a bummer as a traffic ticket.

Janet Raker, a registered nurse and customer support coordinator for Safesitter.org, a nationwide group that teaches adolescents to be safe and nurturing baby sitters, emphasizes that it's important to give yourself time to be selective when finding a sitter.

"When you hire a sitter, you're basically putting your child's care in someone else's hands," she says. "You want to make sure that whoever that person is is ready for the responsibility."

Even if you've waited until the last minute, there are still places you can turn.

Raker suggests asking family and friends or people close to you that you trust.

"Look for someone in your own circle of friends, like a co-worker or neighbor or someone in your same religious organization," she says.

Raker gives these suggestions for finding the best person for the job:

• Interview the sitter candidate.
• Have conversations with the candidate by phone and in your home. "Trust your instincts."
• Check references.
• Do a background check. Ask the referring parents how the sitter handled their kids.
• Go over the basics. "All baby sitters should know how to save a choking child, how to call 911, and just basic personal safety," Raker says.
• Establish a fair rate.
• Make sure in advance you've agreed on a price.