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Whether it's your first-ever separation or you're leaving baby with a daily nanny, entrusting your child to another's care is never easy. Here's what you need to know about choosing a babysitter or daycare that’s right for your family.

Minimize risks of separation anxiety early. In order for you to feel comfortable leaving your baby with a caretaker, allow time for baby to become accustomed to another person. Start this process relatively early, before separation anxiety sets in. Help your baby recognize that when you go away for a while you always come back; this exercise will minimize her distress and your guilt when the big day comes. Begin with short periods of time away, starting at about 15 minutes. Then gradually work up to longer periods.

Find a caregiver among those you know, first. When hiring a babysitter, look close to home and ask relatives or friends if they'd like to help out. Or when looking at daycares, start with those in your neighborhood. You’ll feel much more comfortable leaving baby with someone local or someone you know in the beginning. As you get used to trusting your child with others, start looking at other sources. Ask friends for referrals, check with local colleges and high schools for students who may be interested. Community education programs can also be a good resource because they keep lists of the people who have taken a babysitter-training course.

Do your homework. Always meet with a new caregiver or conduct a phone interview prior to hiring her. Ask about references, personal history and medical skills, such as whether the babysitter knows first aid and child CPR. Ask enough questions to know that the babysitter can handle minor emergencies and will know what to do in the case of sickness or accidents.

Provide as much information as possible. Before you leave, give the sitter a tour of your home and point out nuances, like door locks, security systems and smoke alarms. Also, let her spend some time with your children while you’re still around. This will make the transition easier and you and baby will both be more comfortable while you’re away. Consider using a “babysitter checklist” to make sure you’ve highlighted all the necessary information.

Think about payment beforehand. Ask other moms who are employing babysitters what the current rate in your area is and discuss payment with your caregiver before she comes over. Be sure to pay her for all the hours she is at your house, not only those when you are not there. Also, consider giving a tip to your babysitter if you’re pleased with her. Good babysitters can be hard to come by, so it’s nice to reward them when they’ve done a great job.