Trusted Treasure Valley Babysitters: Do You Know Or Are You One?

I have never had anyone sit my children who wasn't directly related to them or a long time friend of the family. It's a luxury not everyone has, and it's not lost on me how lucky I've been in the past 10 years to not have to pay for childcare or rely on someone I don't know very well.

Now that I'm living far away from all family, my husband and I have been playing the switching game. If one of us is out and about, the other is home with the kids. But this method has presented two problems: 1) Since we are both working, there can never be overlap in the schedules or the kids have no supervision. 2) No date nights without the kids in tow.

It's time we consider professional/semi-professional help. I have a 10 year old and a 3 year old. The tween is self sufficient and not really the one who needs anything. It's the toddler element that changes things. He is a bit of a maniac and lives to torture his older brother if they're left alone for too long. Basically I just need someone to stop the boys from going at each other, which is easy if the little one is distracted.

That said, before I jump on a site to look for someone I'd like to hear from you! Compensation and such can be figured out when we cross that bridge, but first I need to know who I should be contacting. If you have a trusted babysitter and you're willing to share, please point me in the right direction.