Need a new babysitter? Other places to find babysitters besides the obvious

Finding a new babysitter after you lose your beloved sitter to school or a move proves difficult at times. While there are plenty of places to find possible babysitters, these don’t always pan out. So if you’ve already asked twenty friends for referrals or signed up with a child care agency, but gotten no results, this list presents some other possible places to find the right caregiver for your kids.

Preschool Teacher

Your children’s preschool teacher offers you a logical first choice as your child’s new babysitter. She knows your kids already, cutting down on the adjustment period. Additionally, because of her profession, she has a plethora of age-related activities to keep your little ones entertained while you’re out for the evening.

To approach your kids’ teacher about the subject, simply ask her during a free moment if she ever sits during her after hours or if she knows of any potential babysitters if she’ doesn’t.

The Camp Counselor

Kids camps like the Girl Scouts or the summer arts program are filled with professionals who love working with kids. These high-energy potential babysitters often hold seasonal positions, making the possibility of future employment attractive to them.

Many of these organizations have a parents’ day. These functions are sometimes a bit stressful behind the scenes. If you attend one of these events, pay attention to how your candidate stacks up when there’s extra pressure on her. You’ll see first-hand what kind of skills she has to keep the kids entertained and everything in order so that the day runs smoothly.

At the Store or Library

Toy stores or book stores that specialize in children’s literature present a hidden pool of babysitter candidates for you. These professionals work with many different types of children all day, making these establishments a good place for you to find new leads for a sitter.

One simple way to ferret out a good prospect is to attend a puppet show put on by the toy store or a story hour at the local library. These situations give you a peek at how your babysitter-in-the-wings might interact with your child before you actually approach her with an offer to interview for the position.

Additional Tips

Only look at these sources as leads to find a new caregiver for your children. Potential babysitters should still be thoroughly checked out. Call each person’s reference and weed out the individuals that you don’t feel good about regardless of their credentials.

Additionally, it’s always prudent to interview and hire a number of candidates, giving you a back up sitter should your main sitter be unavailable.