How did you screen your babysitter?

I just met with two people on sittercity to babysit my 9 month old a few nights a month....

They seemed normal and nice, I did some facebook stalking and general internet stalking as well...No red flags from that....

Any other advice? I am having them both come over separately to hang with him while I am home to get an idea of how they interact.

Anything else or suggestions to get more comfortable?

This is my first child so I am new the world of babysitting and I am kind of a nervous nelly to leave him with a stranger but at the same time we desparately need a sitter.

I need to call one of the sitters references - the other one did not provide them to be yet, we met earlier this week...Not sure what to think about that...

Re: How did you screen your babysitter?

Criminal and General background checks via online.

For me, when I hired through Care.com they offered an option via the website where the candidates could submit to one and then Care.com furnishes you with the results. They also had a DMV abstract of their driving record.

This was a must for me.

And, honestly, the really good candidates were all for showing it to me -- anyone who had nothing to hide went out of their way to provide me with it.

I was able to hire three wonderful date night sitters through care.com... Still use them to this day. I have three so that if one or two is busy on a given night, I have a back up.

One actually JUST interviewed and got hired at my son's preschool so she will be his teacher's assistant next year! I AM THRILLED. She is so great and Julian will be elated.

Re: How did you screen your babysitter?

At the least, I'd call their references. More than 1 for each.

With our son's nanny, we also ran a background check, which checks for criminal history.

Re: How did you screen your babysitter?

References, for sure. And maybe it's just here in Maryland but access to driving records and criminal records are free online so we check those. I also did a FB check.