Care.com

Finding a trustworthy babysitter is one of the tough tasks of parenthood. My husband and I tend to rely on my mother, paying her handsomely to hang out with our children. We used to have a fantastic sitter, but she had the nerve to go to college. So, I found the idea of Care.com intriguing.

Care.com is "an innovative new website which helps busy Moms connect with trustworthy caregivers matched specifically to their family's needs. We'd like to offer you the opportunity to sample this site with a complimentary 3-month premium membership (a $60 value!).

Hiring a new caregiver can be fraught with anxiety. With significantly more services and security than you would find on a virtual bulletin board like craigslist.org, Care.com offers you peace of mind by posting extensive information about each caregiver-age, certifications, education level, and years of experience. Care.com helps to ensure that you find someone qualified and trustworthy by providing you with references from other clients and free driving record and criminal background checks for anyone you're considering for a job."

Care.com is not just for finding a babysitter, either. They also have categories for pet care, tutoring and senior care. You plug in your zip code and category, and up pop provider names with information. And to safeguard everyone involved, you'll find background checks and references as well as other information.

I personally have not found a childcare provider using this site (my lucky mom!), but I am happy to know about this website. Excellent idea!