Has anyone ever used a professional babysitting service?

[Lawrene8]

We've been invited to a few nights out in the same week. We only have my mum availabale and can't ask her to give up 3 evenings! DS goes to bed at 6pm and sleeps through so babysitter shouldn't really even see him! Just wanted to know if anyone had ever used one and had any advice?

Yes, we use Sitters. All the babysitters we have had from them have been fine.

Lots of us on here use sitters.co.uk

Thanks - I did find them on the internet and they seemed professional - nice to know that other people have used them and found them OK.

Where are you based, there are a few of us nannies (who are now mums too) who babysit in the evenings (I currently babysit for 3 mumsnetters) ... Might be able to find someone local to you.

Jenna

An advantage of using a babysitter you get to know via Mumsnet, is that you won't have the Membership and Bookings fees that agencies charge. If you are not using an agency on a regular basis, it can be cheaper in the long term to have a local nanny/childminder/other childcare worker to call upon, even if their hourly rate is higher than the rate quoted by the agency.

If you happen to be in North Hampshire, West Surrey, East Berkshire area, then I may be able to assist you.

I live in Kent (well just outside london really) in the DA16 potcode which is near Welling and Bexleyheath. If anyone does babysit in this area then I'd love to hear from you.

If your ds goes to a nursery, the carers who work there might babysit on the side.