How would I get a babysitter for a group of kids for reception?

Babysitting is a really personal choice that should be left up to the parents.

They should be making that decision themselves, in my opinion.

A parent should have full say over who watches out for their child's well-being when they're away.

I would never send my (future) kids to a separate area with a random babysitter, nor would any of my family/friends who have children. Parents who bring kids should either watch them, or get their own babysitter. That's a choice you make when you bring a child to a wedding.

Can you contact a local nursery or day care to see if they have anyone interested?

Agreed with @Linds. People should watch their own kids.

The kids will be in the same room and the parents who i asked about were happy when i asked if this were something they'd be interested in.

I think this its weird cause people leave thier kids in the ball room in ikea or or with strangers in thier own home to go out to a movie, but having a place for them to safe place to play with responsible eyes while they enjoy a dance or two seems to frowned upon. Doesn't make sense.

I could def call a few local daycares and see if anyonen would be interested in a few hours cash on a sunday... is a thought.

I don't know any parents who leaves their kids with "strangers" in their home.

Can any of your local guests make recommendations? You might also try Girl Scout troops. Mine had a babysitting "business" to raise money for projects and trips we wanted to take.

No guests are local.... though I've befriended some bed and breakfast owners (I'm frequently in the area) and could def ask them

@Runawaybride - I will DEF do that!

I did use Care.com to identify potential candidates. Then I used the directory at the University to find their campus email, emailed them, giving them details to see if they were interested, the ones who were, I set up phone interviews to narrow down the list, then invited them to the venue and my home where they would be taking care of them. I ended up hiring 2 and they did a wonderful job. They watched over the children's area until about 9:30 when the younger grandchildren wanted to go home. They took them home, got them to bed until we arrived around 11:00. There were maybe 6 children who were between the ages of 10-13 who stayed throughout the evening under the supervision of their own parents. We did NOT advertise that there would be a children's area or that we were providing any type of child care. The play area and supervision in the play area was complimentary to all guests until the care givers needed to take the children of the bride and groom and their cousins home to bed. There were probably 3 young children (under the age of 5) still there at 9:30 but it seemed their parents left shortly after we sort of shut down the children's area.

Ask the parents if they have prefered babysitters or a service they use. I went to a wedding where they had a separate room off the the ballroom that did this. No big deal parents could easy peek in and check on their kids. My daughter had a blast in there, we were able to check in on her every so often.

I can understand the paranoia with leaving babies and younger kids who are unable to communicate with a babysitters but 4/5 yaer olds and up I don't see the issue. If they were being taken to a whole separate venue or too far where the parents can't check in on them then I'd have an issue.

Uhhh I think if you are so adamant about them being invited and there I don't understand why they can't just be kids during the party. I have nieces and nephews and little cousin. They know what adult drinks are and adult conversation. The 1 to 3 year olds have mommies.

You can post a flyer in elementary schools. Employees have criminal background checks to work there and are used to wrangling kids. Most of the classroom aids would love to make an extra buck on the weekend.

As an aside, many parents absolutely never leave their kids with someone they personally have not vetted. Not in Ikea, not in their home. I am the only nonfamily babysitter for two friends- both have known me for over five years and we work together. My niece has stayed with me, and my mom, and those are the only people who will ever babysit her. It's not being paranoid or picky or difficult; my family got to find that out the hard way. I think if parents have said they would use a sitter at the wedding it is very nice of you to provide one, just don't be surprised or upset if some parents prefer not use the sitter.

I've never left my daughter with a stranger, ever. I think asking some people you know in the local area is a good start. I would just watch my own child or not bring her and enjoy a night out.

ETA: I attached something random somehow

I would either invite them and parents watch over them or not invite them. Inviting them to send them away to a separate area seems unusual to me and defeats the invite imo

Do you have any kids in the 16-18 range coming? My nephews are 16 & I'm paying them to keep an eye on all the kids

Maybe one of the first places you can look is within your own family. I've attended a few weddings where teenage siblings/cousins took over babysitting duties in the kids room because they preferred doing that over mingling with older relatives who'll badger them with questions about high school/college.

My brother and SIL had a separate room with a babysitter at their wedding. It was about 10 yards away from the dining room and was simply an option for the children.

I really don't think there's anything wrong with offering this service as long as you're not requiring that kids hang out in this separate room. I like the idea of local elementary schools or even pre-schools. Most of those people have been vetted already. I would also highly recommend meeting with them in person and asking for a few references from candidates you're interested in.

I agree you should offer child care if it's in your budget. It's optional for the parents to leave their children, so if they aren't comfortable that is fine but it's an option. My mom had some of my friends watch kids when my sister was getting married. I'm not sure if you are close with any teenage girls that you trust that you could ask but that could be an option. Or my area has a local babysitting Facebook page, maybe you could see if you have one in your area!

There is one cousin who i could ask... no its not a requirement and all famililes are sitting together during dinner... just to have something for the kids to do so that parents know that I was thinking about them too.... to make it a kid friendly party... simple things, crayons, clay, (no stickers the venue would kill me), a small tv or ipad set up streaming videos.. just a distraction.... like they have at car dealerships or doctors office

and just an FYI, 30% of guests are healhcare proffesionals and pediatric or critical care nurses and doctors so its a safe space in case of any emergency, but i'm not telling family that.. just something i'm keeping in the back of my mind because i do run through emergency scenarios in my head

parents are more at ease when their kids are entertained...