To be honest, I never hired a babysitter. When my kids were a bit older I had them looked after by friends I really know well. I do however have support workers in the house and taking 2 of my kids out with special needs. I agree, working with children check, police check, experience, and a certain maturity

reliable references, prior experience, positive attitude. most good babysitters will have a resume outlined with all these things to make choosing easier. Or try one of the babysitting agencies – they do stringent checks on all their sitters.

I only leave my kids with people I know. Family members, close friends, teenagers I have known since they were little. I’m not sure I could leave my kids with a random babysitter.

I won’t leave my children with anyone other than a trustworthy family member.
It is just to dangerous to leave children with anyone these days, even with police checks.
Many of my friends are happy to leave their children with babysitters that they all use & have done police checks & they’ve never had a problem.
If you’re comfortable to leave your children with a babysitter then do the police checks, meet with the sitter, make sure your children are comfortable with them, do a trial run whilst you are home to observe & also take some time out for yourself, check references, & if possible use a sitter recommended to you by a friend.

a working with childrens check or police check

Police Check and Working with Children’s check are the 2 big ones in my eyes. I’d also be asking for references and also get the person to spend some time with you and the kids to make sure they ‘click’

Drivers license and first aid for sure, must be known to the family and experience with children would be good

Definitely license and first aid. Experience with children is good too. I would like to know the person, or their family, too. Maybe invite them around to meet your kids while you’re there to see how they get along.

I am Nanny Jean and babysit for my family and some of my younger friends kids too. Have general knowledge of first aid and also phone numbers in an emergency.common sense and calmness in crisis is good.

I honestly wouldn’t let anyone babysit besides family or family friends. That’s what daycares are for. Anyone can have police checks or first aid, doesn’t mean they won’t beat your child or be the begining of a serial killer or pedo. May be their first offence with you.

Sometimes people like to see police clearance and references