I have the best nanny. Ever. And no, you can’t have her, but I’m here to tell you how to find someone like her in the Champaign-Urbana area. I swear it is possible but it might take a little digging and some time to find the right match. 
Before you start looking:
1. Pinpoint your childcare needs. Do you want someone for occasional weekends? Do you need week nights? Over nights? After school? Do you need a full-time or part-time nanny?
2. Figure out who you want to take care of your children. Are you OK with a teenager? Or do you want a college student? Or perhaps someone who is older? (generally the older/more experienced the sitter, the more expensive. How much to pay? That’s a post for a later date.)
3. Be honest with yourself about expectations. Want your sitter to empty the dishwasher while Junior naps? Looking for someone who will read to your baby and play with her, too? Then be ready to set that expectation with the person you will have in your home.
Where Do You Start?
Number one answer: Start with the University of Illinois job board. Anyone can create an employer account, and this is a great source of eager co-eds who love kids and need to work. But others also pay attention to this board (it is not limited to students) I have found both traditional “weekend” sitters as well as my nanny from the University of Illinois virtual job board.
We also suggest Craigslist. Yes, Craigslist. One of the best babysitters I ever had came from Craigslist (for real. Not kidding. Just takes good instincts as well as reference checks).
There are also national Web sites, like Sittercity.com and Care.com, both of which allow you to sort through potential candidates by location. You can see their photo, experience and the number of references they have before you ever contact them. However, these sites are not free, so be prepared to pay for a membership.
Another online option: I have never tried this, but Parkland College also offers a job board, although you can only post after being vetted.
Use social networking. I got a lead on a home daycare because I posted looking for it on Facebook, and someone local saw it and gave me a great referral.
Don’t forget to look offline as well.
Ask around your (offline) networks. If you belong to a church/synagogue/mosque, perhaps there is a youth group there with kids who babysit. Or maybe an older member of the church — perhaps his/her grandchildren live far away — is interested.
Were you in a sorority? Ask your sorority if you can post a flyer or info at your house on the University of Illinois campus. Same thing with campus-based faith organizations. Many of them offer bulletin boards where you can post a job.
Ask your neighbors – maybe they know of young adults in the neighborhood who babysit.
If your child is in daycare or preschool, ask the school what its policy is regarding teachers babysitting — go ahead and ask your child’s favorite teachers if they babysit.
Ask anyone you trust if they know of any good caregivers who may fit your parameters.
Crafting Your Ad
Remember when we talked about expectations? This is when they come into play. Include what you will be paying, and whether not it is negotiable. If you say it’s negotiable, expect negotiation.
Being honest and forthcoming from the get-go will prevent headaches later.
The All-Important Interview
So you have a few candidates. I prefer to do first interviews in a public place. If they deserve a second interview, then I will invite them over to my home for the “child test” to see how they will interact with my kids.
Ask the basics: experience, references, safety training. Set up a scenario and ask the sitter how she/he would handle it. If you have specific tasks you need from a sitter/nanny, be direct and ask up front about experience with such tasks. Also, ask them what they WON’T do. The answer might surprise you.
Here is a decent list of interview questions; prepare yourself in advance of the interview.
Safety First
There are many ways to check out a babysitter, especially if you don’t want to spend the outrageous $555 fee I saw being advertised online for a background check.
Get a criminal background check from the State of Illinois for only $16, via the Illinois State Police. However, this is limited to just this state. Instructions are linked here.
Illinois DCFS will also allow you to submit a request for a background search of the “Child Abuse and Neglect Tracking System (CANTS)” system, with consent of the job applicant. More information here.
If your sitter/nanny will be driving your child around, you might to get a driving record abstract from the state of Illinois. It’s only $12 but takes up to two weeks:
http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/drivers/drivers_license/purchaseabstract.html
Don’t forget to check references. It’s amazing how many people don’t do it.
Trial Run
If possible, make sure that the first time your sitter is alone with your children, you are in the house. Yes, I said that you should be in the house. Stay out of their hair, but stay close enough so you can observe how he/she interacts with your kids. Break them in easy and make them feel at home.
Don’t Be Discouraged
If one sitter doesn’t work out, don’t be afraid to start again. Chemistry is a funny thing, and sometimes it takes a couple tries to find The Right One.
I hope you find a sitter/nanny as awesome as mine!
Related Posts
2013 Champaign-Urbana Black Friday and Small Business Saturday Guide Sponsored by Champaign Surplus
New to C-U: Champaign-Urbana Grocery Guide
Feast or Family: Turkeys Near and Far Champaign-Urbana
Readers Recommend: Family-Friendly Champaign-Urbana Restaurants
Chambana Mom To Know: Julie Melton