If you use baby sitting apps do you pre meet the sitter?

[Runningmummy41]

Hello. Just wondered whether anyone uses babysitting apps and if so do you pre meet the sitter? I’ve had to try and get a sitter for youngest for Thursday as her school is closed (to be used as a polling station) yet I’ve a hospital appointment which is important. I cannot take her with me due to the nature of the appointment (plus she’s SEN and it would be a disaster) nor can I reschedule as it’s important. I’m a lone parent with no support (I rely on expensive babysitters for wrap around care which almost makes it financially pointless me working). The usual sitters I use are teaching assistants (but at different schools which are not shut therefore will not be available during the day to babysit). I thought I’d found a new sitter and she suggested meeting over the weekend but then ghosted me (you can message via the app) and can only meet Wednesday now (I contacted the helpline which contacted her asking her to contact me, she claimed she’d not received notification of the messages I’d sent). I’m not able to meet Wednesday as I’ll be at work and not home until after 9pm. Due to DD SEN I do not have any school mums happy to help for a few hours and no time to find another sitter (am working tomorrow as well as Wednesday). I’m not comfy with the sitter coming round Thursday without a prior meet. Probs would if DD wasn’t SEN. Just wondered what others do really?

I know it’s not as good as in person but could you video call her for a quick chat instead? You might be able to work it into your schedule a bit easier than in person. We haven’t used baby sitters yet as we had family mind our toddler when I had my second baby, but another good place to find sitters are the local crèches and childcare facilities, some girls only do part time and can be free during weekdays as a result, and often have a lot of experience with sen. I worked in one for a while and it all the staff did it for parents, it worked very well for availability.

@Yummymummy2020 i hadn’t thought of video calling that’s a good idea, could try that if she’s free at some point when I finish work tomorrow (finishing early for a change 😃)

@Runningmummy41

I'd phone the school tomorrow and explain your predicament and ask them if any of their teaching assistants your child is familiar with would consider helping you out.

Closing the school to be a polling station is madness children need to be in school they should not be doing this not sure what offstead would have to say about it?

If she had ‘ghosted’ you I dont think i would trust her to come on the day

The irony is that 3 schools within a 10 min walk are all used for polling stations. It’s beyond infuriating. I’d already asked one of the TAs but the staff are being made to do some additional training yet this isn’t being used as an inset day 🤬🤦🏾‍♀️