Hello,
If I pay a babysitter while I look for jobs, can I deduct as a job hunting expense, or must I report as a childcare credit?

Thanks!

no; you may claim only expenses to hunt for a new job; To help working parents afford rising day care costs, Congress enacted the Child and Dependent Care Credit. The credit allows working parents to reduce their tax liabilities by 35 % of their qualifying child care costs, limited to $3k for one dependent or $6k for more than one. You need to contact your home state taxing authority for deduction on your state tax return.