Posted on May 21, 2008 | by Norman Jameson RALEIGH, N.C. (BP)–

A church is “foolish” not to conduct background checks on employees and children’s workers, an investigator and former police officer says.

Roger Self, 53, who has been in church for 30 years and in law enforcement for longer, said there is “more criminal activity in the church” than ever before.

With sex crimes surfacing almost weekly in schools and churches not immune, Self, a member of Hardin Baptist Church in Dallas, N.C., said churches and schools must do everything they can to protect themselves.

“The days when nobody would sue a church are over,” Self said.
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Finding a babysitters is only the first step in getting the right sitter for your family. Meeting and interviewing your prospective babysitters is the next, and important step, in the process of finding a great babysitter. An interview should focus on the person’s experience and childcare skills, including any special training the candidate may have.

Rather than beginning the conversation with a barrage of questions, you can start with a few questions that you think are particularly important given your individual needs. Try open-ended questions like “What do you like best about babysitting?” rather than “Do you like children?” The goal is to spark a conversation that will be useful for both of you.
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When a new babysitter starts working for you for the first time, you’ll want to make sure you give him or her all the information needed to care for your children in the best way possible. Ask the babysitter to arrive at least 15 minutes before the time you’re scheduled to leave, so you can give the sitter a tour of the house, pointing out where telephones, first aid equipment, and alternative exits are located. Then go over other relevant information with the sitter, answering any questions that might arise.

Most of the information a babysitter will need is likely to be the same each time you go out, so it’s a good idea to have a “permanent” checklist or information sheet that you keep in a safe place or post in an accessible spot. A “babysitter checklists” has been provided below, which you can customize to meet your specific needs. If you have a printed checklist that you reuse each time you go out, make sure you record any information specific to the occasion, such as where you will be, how you can be reached and when you will return.

The following is information you should give to your babysitter:
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