Skip to content
REC'D BYREC'D BY
Get REC'D BY
A guide for families

How to find a babysitter you trust

1 min read · Updated September 26, 2026

The short answer

Start with people you know, talk with the sitter yourself, check what matters to your family, and begin with a short first booking.

There's no single shortcut to trusting a caregiver. A strong search usually combines personal recommendations, direct conversations, references, clear expectations, and your own judgment.

REC'D BY starts where many parents already start: with people they know.

1234
Ask people you trust
Talk with the sitter
Check what matters
Start with a short job

Five steps that work

  1. 1

    Ask people whose judgment you trust

    Recommendations can add useful context that a public profile can't: Who has actually hired this person? How often? For what ages? Would they book them again?

  2. 2

    Talk directly with the sitter

    Discuss experience, comfort level, availability, rates, routines, transportation, emergencies, pets, and anything specific to your household. Our questions to ask a babysitter can help you start.

  3. 3

    Verify what matters to your family

    Depending on the role, families may choose to check references, certifications, identity information, or available screening information. No single check replaces an informed hiring decision.

  4. 4

    Start small

    A shorter first booking, overlap period, or introductory visit can help both the family and sitter decide whether the relationship feels like a good fit.

  5. 5

    Keep trusted people close

    Once you find someone your household trusts, keep their information, availability, recommendations, and bookings organized so you're not starting from zero the next time you need care.

  1. 1Yours, and rec'd for you Your sitters, plus the ones friends suggest.
  2. 2Who recommended them Friends you know by name, and the stars families gave.
  3. 3In your friends' words Why they'd book them again.
  4. 4Save the ones you like Heart a sitter to keep them close.

Build your trusted sitter roster with REC'D BY

See the sitters your friends recommend — free to join.

Build your trusted sitter roster

Keep reading

Where to find a babysitter →

Where to look for a babysitter — friends, other parents, school, local groups, and apps — and how to go from the first ask to a first booking.

Questions to ask a babysitter →

The questions worth asking a new babysitter — and the friend who recommended them — about experience, emergencies, routines, and rates.

Babysitting app →

Find babysitters recommended by people you know. REC'D BY helps families build a trusted roster, schedule care, and keep sitter details in one place.

Are you a sitter?

See how REC'D BY works for sitters — free, and useful for all of your sitting work.

REC'D BY for sitters →

See all guides →