"Sitters"

I used to work for them. Never asked for police check nor First Aid. They only check a couple of references, that's all. Other agencies wouldn't even talk to me without these papers.

We haven't. But a friend of my wife have tried them and their feedback is okay. :)

Hello, I must say as someone who used to work them they only check references but no police check or first aid so no they do not vet their sitters thoroughly. Every other agencies I have ever worked for- including teaching and nanny agencies -asked for a DBS.

Have been happy with people they Sent(some more than others) but all of them seemed sensible competent and with relevant background .also as used them more and given our preferences you tend to get same people.

And crb thing- I agree with nannynick as it's only going to catch a certain amount of people and much as I would like there to be ,there is no fail safe way of checking people.

I get offered daytime jobs, but never can take them as im always cm'ing.

You can also get day time sitters. If they are available. But most of them has jobs during the day and prefer to sit in the evenings for extra cash.

Can I ask, from the website, it looks like sitters is for evening only? is this true?

nannynick - I am not sure the ISA system will be much better TBH (mind you I'm probably biased because I now have to take a safeguarding exam on top of the bureaucracy of updated check - hate exams!

I'm with sitters and when they interviewed me i had to bring everything, my certificates, a CRB etc. And i dont think you can register with them if you dont have CRB. They put you on their book if you are experienced childminder, nanny etc. and an experienced nanny, childminder should have CRB anyway.

Wmmc - agree with you on that one. Thus why the CRB system is being changed to the constantly updated ISA system.
However, knowing someone's criminal background has been checked at some point I feel does help give parents some reassurance. It does not replace other recruitment procedures, such as checking references, checking identity, doing an interview etc.

GDiT - how about making a list of pros and cons of using an agency babysitter v using a local babysitter (teenager, childcare worker, a mum/dad)

I find the whole idea that if someone has a CRB check in place, they are suitable to look after your kids bonkers. They are a snapshot in time. Would you expect to be able to hire a car based on 'well when I had my licence issued I had no points then?'

I'm surprised by that. Fortunately more nannies now are Ofsted Registered and from July a new system - www.isa-gov.co.uk - starts to kick in, though don't think the new system becomes law until Nov 2011.

I have used sitters for many years and always been very happy.

Yes, I feel ALL childcarers working for an agency should have been checked - either by the agency or by a regulatory body, such as Ofsted. If relying on the check done by the regulatory body, the registration status of the person I would expect to be checked on a regular - say yearly - basis.

Are sitters really saying that only half their childcarers are CRB checked? Are you sure they don't mean that half are Ofsted Registered, whilst half are not Ofsted Registered thus will have had checks done by the agency rather than Ofsted?

I don't like to add a negative but feel i need to be honest for the parents.

I am a fully qualified NNEB Nanny with 13yrs in childcare, recently being as a childminder since having my own family. I know i am genuine, trustworthy, honest etc and due to being who i am at the moment have to have CRB etc etc....

Sitters were very, very thorough with my checks etc at the time of registering... in 1999.

Never have i been checked since or asked for an update etc..

I may have slipped through the net, but wonder how many others have too?

Personally i don't babysit through them at the moment due to the short notice not fitting in with my family...like i said i know i am little old me, but its not on is it?

I use them all the time too.

They are fab.

Have always found us someone. Sitters all very nice but we have had a couple who have not clicked with the kids ..... and we have just asked not to have them again.

Online thing is great. No phoning around trying to have someone who is free. Never being let down at last minute.

Can't recomend them enough.

Another "we use them all the time" here! And always happy. We once gave them about 5 hours notice and they came up trumps

We have used them too. Never had a problem. And I love being able to book sitter on line.

We use them quite a lot, we've only once had a problem in them not being able to find us a sitter. Everyone we have had has been lovely and very capable if DD woke up etc.

I have used them for years and have no complaints at all. We've had sitters from fantastic to absolutely fine and the are all good with the children. We've also used them on occasions in hotels and again been very happy. The main bonus is that you never get let down because if your sitter cancels they'll always replace.

I am a 'Sitter' and a registered CM. I was interviewed and had to provide 3 different types of references, so I assume everyone is vetted well.

All the families I sit for are really happy with the service and i've only heard postitive things, so I would say go for it.