Thanks for that. I also have a certificate 3 in childrens services, so some experience in childcare centres aswell as experience with my child, and also all the relevant police checks, working with children checks, first aid and epi-pen training.
Yep, that's all good too. Our sitters have been more like nannies actually , have had 2 long term and one who only came for a week - unfortunately her DH was sick and she couldn't come back. It's a real shame, as she was the best one we had - she also had cert 3 & experience in centres. She and DS bonded instantly and it was really great.

Having the experience is great, and it's a first step, but soem of the potential babysitters i've interviewed have had qualifications but just felt all wrong and I would not have hired them. One of the long-term sitters we used had no qualifications, and had just babysat for friends and family, but she just felt right and worked out really well.

ETA - personaly, if my child is under 2, then I would not hire someone who was bringing their own child along. But if older I might consider it - I'd want to meet the child and probably set a probationary-type period first to see how it went.