How To Find A Babysitter

A weekend out of town, a business trip, or an important soiree can sometimes require us to look for a good babysitting service for the kids.  Searching for a reliable sitter though is not easy.  In your effort to hire only the best babysitter for your kids, you may be unaware of some common pitfalls of parents when searching for a sitter.  Here are the don’ts you should be aware of:

Mistake No. 1: Randomly Picking Out a Service

The worst mistake you could do is to pick out a babysitting service at a random.  Because of the many sitter services available these days, all promising to provide only the best services, it can be quite tempting to pick one out according to impulse.  However, not all of them will be able to deliver on their claims and, needless to say, there are just as many poor services as much as there are good ones.  The danger of this method of choosing is you could easily end with the poor service.

Before selecting a particular service, do research.  The best way is to compare several sites and their services. You would want to find out what makes a certain service stand out.  Read client reviews and feedback in forums and visit independent review sites.  You will only be able to make a good decision once you’ve done extensive research on a particular babysitter service company.

Mistake No. 2: Treating Services As Agencies

Most babysitting services are clear about the nature of their companies.  One of the first things you will find out about them is that they are not agencies.  Here are the differences between an agency and online services.

Agencies can:

1. Perform the necessary screening procedure of potential sitters for you;
2. Recommend several sitters that they think best fit your requirements; and
3. Send your sitter over to your home after you have paid your placement fees.

Online services can:

1. Serve as directories unless they claim to be a licensed agency;
2. Keep databases of both families and sitters, both of which can meet and find their matches online;
3. Offer features similar to those offered by agency such as background checks, but will, however, leave the final interview and screening to you.

Mistake No. 3: Assuming That All Services Will Do Everything For You

Another mistake you wouldn’t want to make is to assume that all babysitter services will do everything for you.  While some conduct extensive background and reference checks, others will do no more than provide you with babysitter names and contact information.  You would want to make a list of what you would like a service to do for you before actually selecting a service.  And always remember to include in that list to look for a sitter who has never stepped beyond the bounds of law.

Mistake No. 4: Thinking That All Services Will Help You All The Way

In any services, customer care is very important.  However, it is not helpful to assume that all service has a good customer service.  You might therefore want to find out if your sitter service has an accommodating customer service team and if they have any policy on sitter replacement for sitters that might not match your requirements.

Every now and then, everyone can use a good nanny service.  A decade ago, it would have been impossible to hire one at short notice.  Because of online nanny services these days, however, anyone can simply log online and hire one within 24-hours’ notice.

Of course, not any nanny online service will do.  In order for you to narrow down on the right nanny agency, you will have to ask a few necessary questions.

How Long Have They Been In The Business?

The length of time may not always matter to some parents.  After all, there are some exceptional companies that have only been around for a few years but have gained reputation as a good nanny agency or nanny service provider. In some cases though, the number of years a nanny service has been in operation matters to families and parents who are new to the idea of hiring nannies.  The longer they have been on business, the more likely parents are to trust them with their kids.

How Much Do They Reveal About Their Company?

One good way of knowing how well they come across is by checking out their site.  A reputable company makes it a point to safeguard their good name and will, as much as possible, try to be as transparent about their operations.  In this case, a good company should be able to provide you with all the necessary information concerning their services and their nannies. Aside from these, you would want your nanny company to provide you with information on how they screen their nannies, how they conduct background check and if they provide training to their nannies or not.

What Are The Services Offered?

Different nanny companies offer different services.  This is to attract more customers and to cover as much ground as possible when it comes to providing families with just the service they need.  If it is your first time to hunt for a nanny service provider, you would want to know which companies offer the kind of unique service your family requires.  Some companies allow families to interview prospective nannies before actually hiring them.  There are also companies who will allow their customers access to background records and references of their pool of nannies.

What Sets You Apart From Other Nanny Service Provider?

Aside from the difference in services offered, you should also look into the features that set them apart from other nanny service providers.  Do they boast of some edge over other companies?  Do they offer lower rates or special packages that are, perhaps, not found in other nanny service providers?

How Much Does It Cost?

The cost of the service is always a major concern.  Of course, there is more to inquiring about the actual cost of the service like asking about the payment scheme and other similar questions. You can also ask about one-time annual fees, monthly renewable membership or level-type membership fees.

Good nanny services can set any parent’s mind at ease.  However this is only so if you have found a reputable and reliable nanny service provider.  A bit of patience and some research skills should be able to let you narrow down on a good choice.

A live in nanny is common in some homes.  Everyone knows though that not all families and nannies living together are happy with their set-up.  Unknown to some parents, the mutual comfort and happiness of both parties rely greatly on the way they treat their nanny.  If you are about to welcome a live in nanny into your home, here are some things you might want to consider.

Dealing With Accommodations

The first thing you have to consider is the accommodations.  Keep in mind that the nanny will be living under your roof.  She will need a room of her own, provide for her meals and possible offer some perks and benefits.  Do not go into hiring a live in nanny if the family budget does not permit it.

Some families believe that it is perfectly fine to offer your nanny less than what the rest of your family is enjoying.  This, they say, especially holds true if your nanny comes from a third-world country who is used to lesser accommodations.  Discrimination aside, and while it may be fair to some extent, it is important to keep in mind that nannies are human beings, too.  Also, parents would do well to remind themselves that the better they treat and regard their nannies beyond what they pay her, the better she would look after the kids beyond what she’s being paid for.

Day Off

Keep in mind that a live in nanny is not a 24/7 nanny.  While it is true that live in nannies are much able to respond to short notices and emergencies, they too need time away from work, just like any other human being.  Allow your live in nanny a considerable time off from watching your kids and make it a point to respect her privacy during her time off.  For as long you do not suspect anything awry with her actions, it is needless to constantly inquire on what she has been up to.   Aside from the fact rest and recreation is a right she should be granted with, a happy, healthy and well-rested live in nanny is more psychologically and physically fit to look after your child.

Settling In

Being new to the neighborhood or to the place entirely, your nanny would be appreciative of any effort to help her discover your area.  It won’t take much from your time to point her out to the nearest shopping areas, and the most popular scenic places where she can enjoy herself, take pictures to send home to her family and assure them that indeed, she is doing well in her new place and with her new employer.  Encouraging your live in nanny to enjoy her new place is one major way of keeping her longer.

Work Specifications

One common fault in employing a live in nanny is when parents begin seeing blurred lines between being a nanny and being a house help, between being a nanny and a cook, between being a nanny and a gardener, laundry woman, personal messenger, etc.  Nannies are nannies so keep in mind that unless otherwise previously agreed before employment, her primary duty is to take care of the kids’ needs.  To avoid any ambiguity in her duties and responsibilities, it would be helpful to point out the tasks she is expected to perform.

Finding a good live in nanny can be difficult.  You have to consider her work ethics, her training, her background and her ability to naturally get along with your kids.  Make sure you treat your nanny in the best possible manner.  As mentioned, the better you treat her above and in excess of what you pay her, the longer she’ll stay and the better she’ll look after your children above and beyond what she’s being paid for.