Looking for a babysitter? Here is the information you need to know from those who know best, local Hudson Valley parents. Sooner or later most parents with small children eventually find themselves in what we call “the babysitting bind”—an unexpected occasion or “night out”—and neither spouse has lined up a babysitter. Sometimes grandparents are simply not available to babysit their precious grandchildren. For parents who’ve never hired a babysitter before, the process may be somewhat nerve-wracking. After all, you can’t just leave your toddler with anybody, but who can you trust? These tips help take the guesswork out of finding a babysitter.
Go through your network
Reach out to everyone in your network of friends, family, and co-workers. Talk to owners of local businesses that you patronize as well as leaders at local houses of worship. In most cases, people will be eager to recommend someone they know who babysits. Tom Kellner and his wife, Colleen of Walkill have two children, 4-year-old Elizabeth and 8-month-old Tommy. When the Kellners go out for the evening, they generally take their baby boy with them and find a sitter for their little girl.
If Colleen’s parents aren’t available, Colleen has a choice of two teenage sitters for her daughter. Colleen met one of them in church, where she used to teach Sunday school. The other sitter is one of Colleen’s former students from the Wallkill school district, where she taught. Since Colleen already knew both of her prospective employees, she didn’t have to check any references.
READ MORE: Take the stress out of hiring a babysitter
Use the internet
The internet is coming to the rescue of many parents in search of child care. There are many sites advertised on the web, but you must do your research. Some of them can be scams. The Child Care Council of Orange County is reliable and local and offers its services online. The site is designed to help county residents find full-time child care, but can also be used to locate a frequent “night out” sitter. Child Care Council of Dutchess and Putnam, Inc., is the New York State designated Child Care Resource and Referral agency for both Dutchess and Putnam counties and is part of a network of 39 such agencies throughout New York State. Child Care Connections serving Columbia & Greene Counties is a resource and referral agency. The Sullivan Child Care Council has been providing child care resources and education to parents and child care providers for the past thirty plus years.
Other options include using Facebook or other social networking sites to post requests for friends to privately message their child care recommendations.
Check references
Remember, always check references and interview your prospective employee. After the interview, include time to watch your child interact with the would-be babysitter. Seeing them interact firsthand, may offer some insight into how they will behave when you’re not there. First meetings can be held in a public place such as a park. That way, you can protect your privacy, in case things don’t work out. It’s your right and responsibility to say “no,” if you have the slightest misgiving about your prospective hire. Your child’s safety comes first.
What’s the going rate for babysitting?
When it comes to the issue of what to pay a babysitter, there’s apparently quite a range. Perhaps the best way to decide on a fair rate is to consult with other parents in your area. Find out what they’re paying for babysitting. The U.S. average hourly babysitting rate is $16.75 for one child and $19.26 for two children. For three children, the average hourly rate is $20.76.
On the average, teenage babysitters in the Hudson Valley earn about $10 per hour. Most sitters will expect to be paid extra for watching more than one child. Tom Kellner suggests paying a higher rate after a certain hour, in much the same way some jobs pay a nighttime differential. Like the Kellners, it’s also a good idea to have a number of babysitters at the ready, in case one or two of them have a scheduling conflict.
Writer Sharon MacGregor lives in the Bloomingburg area with her husband and 2 sons.