Finding the right babysitter can be a daunting task. It becomes increasingly important ,as you juggle your career, to choose the right person for the job. You will want someone who gets along with your child and who is also responsible, experienced and mature.

The best way to find a great babysitter, especially if you want to save time with pre-qualification etc, is on the internet. However, for those who prefer the traditional, pre-internet, methods, here are some suggestions. You could go by word-of-mouth referrals, community postings, or even employ family and friends.

Whatever route you take you always have requirements that are non-negotiatiable. Some basic qualities should be:

• The babysitter should be healthy. Colds, diseases, and infections are easily passed to kids because they are so vulnerable.
  • The babysitter should be mature and experienced. You want to be assured that your baby is safe and well taken care of.

After you are satisfied that a potential babysitter meets your requirements, the next step is to do a face- to -face interview. Do not spare any questions or concerns. Remember, if you don't cover all essential concerns, you will carry it in the form of worry. You want to ask not only about their experience, but how they passed the time with the child/ren - did they just play games or did they use game as a learning/educational tool. Ask pertinent questions like: "how would you deal with emergencies like fire, child choking, rashes, teething, etc.

If the babysitter is taking care of your child in your home, you should show them where foods and other essentials are kept and give them access. Make the rules of your house very clear: no smoking, no drinking, no visitors, minimum telephone conversations etc.

Whether your babysitter comes to your home or you take your child to their home, you should always exchange mobile phone numbers, your job and your relatives emergency contact information, also your doctor's telephone number.

Babysitter agencies are great. They save you the time and work of recruiting, screening and generally investigating potential babysitters. However, there are questions you need to ask these agency personnel, just as you ask the babysitters questions, to allay your concerns. You want to know how and where they get their babysitters. How they do the screening process regarding background checks, referrals, and even identity checks. What are their requirements for these babysitters - certification in CPR and first aid? How do they select babysitters who are certified for taking care of special needs children?

You want to take the contract home and examine it to make sure you understand it fully. You want to know what guarantees you are getting - what if the babysitter takes ill and can't take care of my child? Under what conditions do extra cost come into play.

Having an agency find you a babysitter cost more than if you venture to look for a babysitter yourself. But the cost is well worth it and your baby's health and safety is more than worth it.