There is nothing more satisfying than finding a babysitter that is not only good with babies but doesn’t charge an arm and a leg. Unfortunately, these super-sitters are few and far between so when you find one it’s important you hold on to them.

 

Here are five tips on how to find a reliable and trustworthy one, and keep them.

 

Word of mouth

This is one of the best ways to find a good sitter. Listen to what other people say about their own sitter and ask if you can get them to mind your child. If they aren’t a good match find out if their friends would be willing to sit for you.

 

Talk to your crèche

If your little one is in crèche, ask the childminders there if they would like to sit after hours or if they would recommend a family member or friend.  This way you will know that a) they like kids and b) they know what to do in an emergency.

 

Try them out

Give it a go during the day when you are around. This way you can get an idea of how they handle any problems or issues concerning your child. It will also allow them to ask you questions and get an idea of how your baby ticks.

 

Give them a few goes

Make sure you give them a couple of goes before you establish whether they are a good fit for your family. Don’t just immediately assume that they aren’t going to work just because they ate too much food or charged too much. Trust your instinct. If you feel they have the potential to be a really good sitter, you will eventually find a settlement that will suit you both.

 

Treat them well

Make sure you treat your sitter well. If you are going to be later than you thought text them and let them know, give them the WiFi password, drop them home/organise a taxi and leave out a few crisps and sweets for them to munch on while they are minding your baby. Above all else, unless it is an emergency, don’t just ring them the day you need them - they won’t like being at your beck and call. If you treat them well, they will stick around for a lot longer.

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