How can I find a responsible babysitter for my child?

As I’m sure you’re aware, finding a good babysitter is not always an easy task. If you’ve recently moved to a new city or don’t have family members nearby, choosing someone to care for your children while you’re out of the home can be a challenge. Your best source for a dependable and qualified sitter is other parents. Ask neighbors, coworkers, members of your church, temple, synagogue, or religious group, or even your pediatrician for their recommendations. Also, your local Red Cross chapter or YMCA might provide a list of babysitters who have completed their course on child cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and babysitting safety. Do you have any colleges or universities in your town? If so, contact the career development office and ask if there is a job posting bulletin board on campus where you could place an ad? Once you’ve compiled a list of possible candidates, you’ll need to interview them, check their references, and narrow down your choices.

From Good Kids, Bad Habits: The RealAge Guide to Raising Healthy Children by Jennifer Trachtenberg.