4sitters.com is an online resource for babysitters, nannies, pet sitting providers, tutors, home daycare providers, and house sitters, anywhere in the world.

The site offers search tools; a sitter rating system; a sitter job posting and messaging service; and the ability to review the resumes of babysitters, nannies, home daycare centers, house sitters, and pet sitting providers before purchasing a membership.

The network extends to every state in the US and is available anywhere in the world.

Prospective members can register and evaluate the service for free. Follow the instructions on the website, and then verify that there are sitters in the area and review a sitter's experience and background before purchasing a membership. Resumes may include availability, pay rate, preferred age group, a photo, and references.

Membership is $6.99 a month, with a one-time setup fee of $34.99. The membership is auto-renewed for $6.99
every month thereafter; members can cancel at any time. Or purchase a lifetime, transferable membership for a one-time fee of $149.99. When you no longer need the service, your are free to transfer, sell, or give away your membership to whom ever you choose.

Parents seeking a sitter for a night out, a last-minute replacement, or a sitter for ongoing childcare may find the right person through BabySitters.com, a website that provides detailed babysitter profiles. Parents who sign up for the service can search for a sitter and/or post a job for a sitter.

The website also offers a "how-to" series for both parents and sitters. For parents, the series covers everything from doing a background check to how much a sitter should be paid. For sitters, the series covers topics that include certifications, training, how much to charge, how to interview, and a checklist for working with a new family.

Screened babysitters over the age of 25 come to your home or hotel through this convenient greater Seattle area service - just call with your date and time and a sitter will contact you for driving directions. Sitters are also available for weekend getaways, vacations, and group events. Mother's Helpers are also available.

Care.com is an online service that matches families with caregivers - including babysitters, nannies, pet sitters, dog walkers, tutors, and respite care for seniors.

Families can search Care.com by their zip code or metro area to find listings of caregivers who match their specific needs. Search results include enhanced caregiver profiles - with photos, video interviews, and references - which families can view before contacting a caregiver about a job. Plus, families can request free background checks on any caregiver as part of their monthly membership.

Looking for childcare and need a place to start? Child Care Resources can help. Call the referral line, and tell the specialist what you need - what kind of situation you're looking for, in what neighborhoods, and at what price - and you'll be sent a packet detailing your options.

You can also search the online database. The cost is $40 for six months; register online. Discounts are available to low- and moderately-low income families; call to find out if you qualify.

The website offers tips on choosing childcare and going back to work or school, childcare licensing and complaint information, and good resource links to health and safety information, parenting and special needs, school districts, nanny agencies, and subsidy information.

This parent-owned online directory of childcare options includes in-home providers, nannies, childcare centers, and babysitters, serving infants through school-age children. The website also offers links to helpful articles on parenting, state oversight agencies, and more.

The database is searchable by zip code, children's ages, and type of care required. Results include contact information; a description of the services offered; the staff, philosophy, licensing, and facilities of the provider; and hours of operation. Helpful icons beside search matches indicate which providers offer drop-in services and off-hours care; some listings include photos.

A very minimal amount of information can be gathered from a free search of the site - name of daycare, how many children of various ages are cared for by the provider, address, and phone number. To get additional information - hours of operation, website address, photos, etc. - parents must subscribe.

A note of caution: Listed providers are not screened, so while the site is a great starting point in a search for childcare, it's imperative that parents check out claims regarding licensing, staff, and facilities.

MommyMixer is a networking service that brings together moms looking for occasional help and university students looking for fun college jobs.

Through events called mixers, moms and students meet in a relaxed, casual atmosphere where they can mix and mingle. Moms can interview multiple candidates in a small time frame (about an hour), while candidates can meet multiple moms at once and create their own babysitting schedules. Visit the website to register for the next event.

Members and non-members alike can take advantage of drop-off kids' activities for ages two to twelve. Parent's Night Out features crafts, dinner, and play in the Kids' Court [$20]. Mom's and Dad's Afternoon Out is the second and fourth Tue of each month from 3:30pm-6:30pm [$15]. There is also a Kids' Movie Night the last Sat of each month for $6 and an emergency drop-in babysitting service at $8/hour, weekdays from 8am-8pm. The drop-off nights are a great way for kids to have fun and make friends while mom and dad get a night off. All childcare services require advance reservation - just call to reserve your space.

Swimming lessons are offered for tots as young as 15 months when accompanied by a parent. Group and private lessons are available for older children. Summer camps and sports classes are offered - call to get current schedules and prices. The swimming pool is temporarily closed for repair and remodel.

Members and non-members alike can take advantage of drop-off kids' activities for ages two to twelve. Parent's Night Out features crafts, dinner, and play in the Kids' Court [$20]. Mom's and Dad's Afternoon Out is the second and fourth Tue of each month from 3:30pm-6:30pm [$15]. There is also a Kids' Movie Night the last Sat of each month for $6 and an emergency drop-in babysitting service at $8/hour, weekdays from 8am-8pm. The drop-off nights are a great way for kids to have fun and make friends while mom and dad get a night off. All childcare services require advance reservation - just call to reserve your space.

Swimming lessons are offered for tots as young as 15 months when accompanied by a parent. Group and private lessons are available for older children. Summer camps and sports classes are offered - call to get current schedules and prices. The swimming pool is temporarily closed for repair and remodel.

The evangelical Christian university, allied with the Free Methodist Church, offers programs of interest to families.

Gymnastics classes at the Falcon Gymnastics Center are offered to kids ages four and up in the evenings. Call or email for more information. [206.281.2883 or ltindall@spu.edu]

Summer sports camps: Kids of all ages can participate in a variety of sports, on campus or off, including volleyball, basketball, track and field, running, soccer, and gymnastics. Check the website for details.

Babysitting: Parents looking for a nanny or babysitter can post ads on SPU's classifieds page, or browse the page for ads from available undergraduates. At the university's home page, look on the right hand side of "Virtual Campus" and click on "Classifieds."

A website for families looking for sitters and sitters looking for work, both can meet up in this virtual neighborhood cafe.

SitterCafe.com focuses on local help for parents age 13 and older. Parents pay a small fee to gain access to the information and sitters may use the site for free.

A website for families looking for sitters and sitters looking for work, both can meet up in this virtual neighborhood cafe.

SitterCafe.com focuses on local help for parents age 13 and older. Parents pay a small fee to gain access to the information and sitters may use the site for free.

Sittercity.com provides an Internet platform for parents and babysitters to meet and communicate with each other. Parents and sitters create personal profiles which are used to help identify possible matches.

Searches can be conducted by personal details, college, transportation capabilities, and other special qualifications. The site has articles, tips, and checklists for sitters and parents - as well as helpful information on responsible sitting and emergency care.

All information entered into the database is protected for privacy and security.

Sittercity.com provides an Internet platform for parents and babysitters to meet and communicate with each other. Parents and sitters create personal profiles which are used to help identify possible matches.

Searches can be conducted by personal details, college, transportation capabilities, and other special qualifications. The site has articles, tips, and checklists for sitters and parents - as well as helpful information on responsible sitting and emergency care.

All information entered into the database is protected for privacy and security.

SittersSearch is designed to help parents and families find sitters in their area. Searching the site to see if sitters are available in your area is free; to contact a prospective sitter, membership is required.

The Little Gym offers age-appropriate movement and gymnastics for kids at all levels of experience.

A room painted with brightly colored murals, filled with gymnastics equipment of all sorts, offers lots to do and plenty of room to run around. Instructors here are friendly and professional, and work at knowing children by name and at including them in the action.

Classes for younger children follow the same pattern every week, so kids know what to expect. The instructor leads songs and fun group activities and teaches basic gymnastics skills, and kids have time for free play and ball play.

Older children learn tumbling and apparatus skills, while gradeschoolers build on those skills in a non-competitive environment. Advanced gymnastics classes, by invitation, are also available for kids ages three-12. Infants to three-year-olds attend with a caregiver, while kids over three attend on their own.

A sports skills class teaches kids ages three-eight the basics in soccer, baseball, basketball, and football, in combination with gymnastics. Classes are also available in karate (ages four-12) and dance (ages three-12)

Birthday parties: A 90-minute party, led by trained staff, includes gymnastics, games, music, set-up/clean-up, paper goods, invitations, and a t-shirt for the birthday child. Parties are held on Saturday afternoons and Sundays only.

Summer and holiday camps offer three hours of physical fitness and play, with arts, crafts, and special events for children three-eight.

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