We have a teenager keep the kids busy in the same room as the parents. Yes can get noisy-but the kids are good. We have about 12 kids-I would say 80% of our members need this service at least once and a while. I bring my son w/ me for 1/2 then my husband picks him up on his way home from work. I wouldn't be able to attend meetings w/o this service.

We have a local girl scout troop that offers babysitting. The girls earn merit badges and the parents have in school babysitting.

Thanks for all the input. We have NPN insurance. One of the reasons we choose to get insurance was because even on school property we know everyone involved could be named in a suit and we'd at least have to pay to defend ourselves. Good info on how to man the babysitting and ideas to keep them occupied. I have lots of thinking to do.

One thing I would like to strongly suggest: You really NEED two sitters, even if you only have 2 or 3 children. Reason? If a child gets sick or hurt, someone has to either go get the parent or take that child to the parent. Someone else needs to stay with the other children. There is also the possibility that a sitter could get hurt or suddenly be ill. Then what? Always, ALWAYS, ALWAYS have at least 2 sitters. You probably need to check with your county to find out how many children are allowed per childcare provider. In Southern Nevada it was 6. I don't know what it is here in Northern Arizona, but I know it is different.

We have done babysitting for the past two years but there is some information you need to get.
If the meetings are held on school grounds, will district insurance cover them? What does your own insurance policy state?
Our insurance (NV PTA) has stipulations (required age of sitter etc) for off campus events. School District insurance (WCSD) covers children on campus, the parents are in the building and we choose to hold our meetings there.
We pay our sitters $10 per meeting and we have two of them. High school girls.
I would start with the Principal first and ask about the school insurance. You can fall back on the PTO insurance if necessary.

We provide babysitting. We have a high school girl there and pay her $20 for 1.5 hrs. The last time and probably going forward we will have 2 high school girls and pay them both from PTO funds. We have been averaging about 15 -20 kids so we need two sitters. We don't have insurance that I know of, haven't thought of that. But with 2 high school girls breaking the kids into groups we haven't had a problem yet either. Hopefully not ever!!!