The service, I Need a Sitter, helps connect in home childcare providers with families who need them.

Lisa Evenson turned to the service to find a sitter for her 2-year-old daughter.

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 "We don't have family here in Columbus so we can't just call grandma and grandpa to come," Evenson said. "All of our friends who have high school kids, they're really tough to get in touch with, especially over a weekend."

Kim Kingsland, a mother of two, started the business because she had problems finding sitters when she first moved here from California.

"I talked to other parents and found we had the same childcare issues," Kingsland said.

Kingsland began with hiring college students and then branched out.

"All of our sitters are 18 years and older, with their own transportation," Kingsland said. "We have graduate, undergraduate. We have some stay-at-home moms, and we have some active retired seniors."

Kingsland said she interviews each sitter, and conducts background checks, including fingerprint checks before hiring. 

"Knowing that they've all been background checked and screened, really was comforting to us," Evanson said.

The staff will stay overnight, watch sick children, and even watch children at weddings and corporate events

There is an annual membership fee, a placement fee, and then the service costs $9 an hour for a three-hour minimum.

It is $2 more for each additional child, up to four children. 

Stay with 10TV News and 10TV.com for additional information.

More Information:
I Need a Sitter
Sitters Unlimited
The Sitter Connection
VIP Babysitting Service

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