Once you have found a sitter who meets your criteria, set up a trial time for this person to come to your home for a short period of time. This is a good way to see for yourself how the children react to the sitter, and how he or she interacts with the children. Leave them alone for just a short time to see how they do. If all is well on your return, you have more than likely found a competent childcare provider, and one who you can entrust the care of your children to.