Getting a babysitter

When you're going out, it's naturally important to get a babysitter you can trust – someone who is responsible and gets on with your child. Children under 14 years old cannot be left alone so it's widely accepted a babysitter must be 14 or older.

Helpful tips

• Ask family and friends if they can babysit for you, perhaps in return for you doing the same for them.
• Professional babysitting agencies are listed in the Yellow Pages.
• Ask family and friends, or your local childcare centre or kindergarten, if they can recommend a babysitter.
• Afterwards, talk to your child about the babysitter to find out how it went.
• Ask both your child and the babysitter if you could do anything to help make the experience better next time.