Finding a Baby Sitter Online

Updated on February 06, 2008
L.S. asks from Fall River, MA
8 answers

Has anyone ever used one of those online baby sitter services, like Care.com. They have a database of sitters in your area and they do background checks on them. Some of the sitters are CPR certified or have years of experience in day care centers or are students studying to be teachers or nurses or something. I can't decide if I would do this or not -- in a way it makes more sense than just finding a kid in the neighborhood or using a friend of a friend of a friend, you know?

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T.V.

answers from Boston on

I have two daughters ages 4 and 7 and I never let anyone else watch my children besides family and good friends. When you go through agencies of any kind, make sure they have great references. You can always try it out and if you don't like it, at least you will have time to figure out something else. I am also in the same situation too, looking for a part time sitter or day care where I can drop them off for a few hours. Let me know if you or anyone else knows something that could help me.

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M.F.

answers from Pittsfield on

Definately DO NOT use a online resourse to find a sitter, but I would suggest finding a licensed daycare online from a place like Resourses for Child Care. otherwise you really have to ask around from people you trust to find someone to care for your child, ask at the local high school guidance office or community college-find the child development course instructor. hope this helps

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C.A.

answers from Boston on

I actually have not but I was just checking into that myself that is how I came to this site, they seem a bit on the $$ side but if they work I would definately do it since they have the background checks included. But then again, you can always just post for a babysitter wanted in the yahoo groups if you are in them. Hope this helps, im in the same boat GOOD LUCK : )

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K.V.

answers from Boston on

Tell your family that you are looking to HIRE a sitter and if they are interested, then you would HAVE to pay them, otherwise the kids will be watched by someone else. Family may come through for you after all!

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J.J.

answers from Boston on

I know this sounds strange and I was really reserved doing this but I posted an ad on Craigslist. I got a ton of responses and found a wonderful young lady who is CPR certified with criminal records check and came with excellent references. We are first time parents so we were a bit worried about using this outlet but it did work out well for us.

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B.B.

answers from Boston on

I'm not sure I would trust an online babysitting site. It sounds like you are looking for a sitter from time to time not a full time caregiver. If that is the case there is a company called Gingerbread homemakers they match clients with child care providers and do a back ground check and make sure the caregiver is CPR certified and has ample amount of schooling and experience. I believe the website is gingerbreadhomemakers.com that way you can find the phone number and look into it more yourself. I hope this helps.

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C.G.

answers from Boston on

i am with the woman who suggested craigslist. i have used it twice for this. both times being a hit. my daughter just stopped going to a stay at home mom that she has been with for over a year. i just found someone new to come to my house with her child. both woman i found on craigslist. it's just an online classified. but some people are nervous to look there. i've even posted ad's to babysit in the past. my opinion is that i would trust a mom before a teenager. you just have to have good judgement and you'll know when you've talked to the right person. good luck

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C.H.

answers from Boston on

I think you should look online. If you check background and refrences it is very safe. I would try sittercity.com parentsinapinch.com nannies4hire.com and even craigslist. I'm a mother of a 19 month old son, I have also been a full time nanny for 10 years and I have found some of my best families (jobs) online! These girls are on the sites for work and extra money, they are not there to rip you off or hurt your kids. Always check refs and do at least two interviews, first without the kids and then follow up with a working interview with your kids there. That should be a good amount of time to spend getting to know the sitter and your gut will tell you if you have found a bad seed. You can find a great sitter online!

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