I have written in my blog about the difficulties we had in finding temporary and permanent childcare.

We live in a rural part of Cumbria in the Lake District in the UK. There are plenty of people who are willing to provide childcare and babysitters. The problem is that

it is very difficult to find out who they all are, or where they are.

We used the Cumbria Children's Information Service and www.missmolly.co.uk to find people. But a word of  warning. All these people have CRB checks, or even enhanced CRB checks. The CRB check is not a substitute for making full checks on the person you are going to leave your children with.

Each parent should check all claims of references, qualifications and expereince before employing a new carer or babysitter. These should be done before their first time in sole charge of your children. Although, of course, you may want to start letting them begin to get to know your children whilst you are still in attendance.