Has anyone set up a babysitting circle?

[MrsP]

I am in the early stages of trying to set up a babysitting circle amongst some of my friends. I would like to hear if anyone else has got a good model going? There are quite a few online sites for managing babysitting circles - has anyone used one? What systems of 'payments', credits, points have you used? Do we go for an online site or manage if 'offline'? What is a fair 'points' system? I have been thinking of an evening arrangement where kids are either in bed or ready for bed. Sun - Thurs up to midnight 1 point per hour, after midnight 2 points per hour, then Fri and Sat 2 points per hour up to midnight, thereafter 3 points. Time rounded up to the nearest half hour for half points. Is this overcomplicated? Any ideas gratefully receieved. Thanks!

[GCOakley]

Excellent idea, let us know how to join.

My mum was in one for years and years. I think it worked because it wasn't too complicated.

[Yak]

We have one for our street. Everyone has 2 physical tokens to start off with. You hand one over as "payment" for a night's babysitting. We don't go into the complexities of late stayouts, putting to bed etc but we tend to work these things out on an ad hoc basis. It's worked pretty well so far (touch wood!)

[ladywotlunches]

I use MyNightoff.com.

Everyone gets 3 credits to start. A standard night sitting is 1 credit (with an unspoken rule that is up to midnight - we all have kids to look after the next day after all). 2 credits can be added if you want to add a bit more to the sit.

It works well - but you need about 8-10 people in the circle to ensure a good availablity of sitters and for everyone not to feel they are spending half their time sitting rather than going out.