Friends from mothers group we swap with, some have others who babysit for them but still are up for some swap nights. I sometimes like doing it for friends is just interesting to go sit in some one elses house while kids sleep instead of your own. Friends are good because have seen how are with own kids so happy could deal with mine but usually are in bed anyway. For during the day when i wasnt working I often would take an extra child for an hour so friend could do an appointment. I agree with TFB just ask just because they are sorted for babysitters doesn't mean they wouldn't do for you ( I have done for a friend about 10 times more than she has done for me but she leaves me yummy things to eat and is my friend so I don't mind and maybe one day I might need her to help me out more). I haven't paid for a babysitter yet but I know some of the childcare workers do it and would trust them and even if you don't have a place yet then might be able to get baby sitting.