When it comes to the care of your children, you want only the best. Finding the right baby sitter may not be easy, however. With many families spread across the country, taking the children to Grandma's house is not always an option. So, how can you find quality childcare when you need it? Here is a checklist to help find the right baby sitter and information to help her or him take the best care of your children.

  Don't wait until the last minute to find a baby sitter. Tap resources ahead of time to line up good candidates. Good resources are:

• Other parents - Get recommendations from friends and relatives who have children. Ask what their experience has been with their sitter. Find out why they think their sitter is reliable.
• Local high schools, colleges and churches - Ask teachers or ministers you know for recommendations for reputable students. If advertising at a college, look for someone majoring in early childhood or elementary education. 
• Senior centers - Place flyers on bulletin boards at senior centers. Retired people generally are experienced parents and grandparents who may have extra time to baby-sit. 
• Hourly daycare centers - Many larger cities have drop-in daycare centers that will watch children on an hourly basis. Some centers have age restrictions, however, and may not take children under 2 years old. 

• References - Hiring a baby sitter you don't know personally is like screening for any other job--you need at least three references. Ask specific questions. How does the sitter handle stress? How well do children like the sitter?
• Age - Age isn't always an indication of maturity; however, it should be a consideration. A 13-year-old may be the perfect choice to watch your children for a few hours, but not for an overnight outing.
• Training - Your sitter should know how to calmly handle emergency situations. The American Red Cross offers baby-sitting training courses, as well as basic first aid and CPR. If you find a reliable sitter who doesn't have first aid skills, you may want to consider paying for her or him to take a class. 
• Discipline philosophies - Look for a sitter who agrees with your approach to discipline. How does the sitter think children should behave? How will the sitter react to a temper tantrum? Can he or she follow your guidelines? 

  Provide your sitter with detailed information and instructions. Always leave a list of important names and numbers, including where you can be reached, nearby friends or neighbors, the police and fire departments and poison control. Next to the phone, post your address and directions about how to locate your home in case of emergency. Other important information and instructions might include:

• Rules regarding meals, television and computer time, and friends. 
• Activities not permitted when you're gone (for both the children and the sitter).
• Bedtime routines.
• Discipline procedures.
• How to use baby equipment.

  Also, tour your home with the sitter to point out the location of all entrances and exits, security alarms, fire extinguishers, fuse boxes and first aid supplies. Allow time for the baby sitter to ask questions before you leave.

  For more information about choosing a quality childcare provider, visit the American Red Cross at www.redcross.org.