Maybe your long-time babysitter went off to college, or you’ve just moved and need to find a sitter in a new town. In any case, there are lots of people who would love to spend some time with your little ones, and now there are more ways than ever to find them:

¢ Ask around: A neighbor’s suggestion can tell you not only what sitters are in the area, but how good a job they have done in the past. Asking people with children the same age as yours is a good way to start.

¢ Go where the young people are: Some high schools will post job listings in their career centers – call to inquire. You also can try getting in touch with youth groups at churches and synagogues.

¢ Look online: Dozens of Web sites offer sitter directories. Larger sites, like www.sittercity.com and www.4sitters.com, charge membership fees but let you search among thousands of sitters. They’ll also let you search for special skills, such as CPR certification or Spanish fluency. Be sure to ask strangers for references, and feel free to invite them over for an interview.