Anyone used 'sitters'? (babysitting service)

[katierocket]

anyone ever used 'sitters'?(www.sitters.co.uk) we only have my mum to babysit and as she is quite busy I only ask her every couple of months. has anyone ever used this service? I am nervous about the thought of leaving DS with a stranger but like the idea of being able to go out!

I haven't used Sitters because I have family around now but when we were living in Australia, away from our family, I used a similar agency. I didn't like the idea of leaving DD either - she was 4yo at the time - so when I hired the sitter, I initially took her for a time when I could be occupied in the house but she was responsible for entertaining DD. This allowed me time to get to know them and the sitter and DD time to get to know each other.

Not sure if Sitters offer the same option but in Oz we were offered either an older sitter (pseudo-grandma) or younger one (early 20's). DD opted for the older one and seemed to really enjoy the time she spent with her.

It worked well and I didn't have a problem with the sitter that we had but the eventual best sitter/nanny we ended up with came as a referral through a friend.

We use Sitters at least once a month and I would recommend them. You can request specific people when making the booking - we have 2 people that we use most of the time, so feel we've built up a relationship with them. I am confident that the agency does all the relevant checks and everyone we have had so far has had lots of childcare experience. Having said that, DS is asleep by the time I go out and so he doesn't even know I'm not there!

I'm with you Katierocket. I registered with Sitters because we cannot find good, regular babysitters in our area. They all seem to have very active social lives (aaaaargh!). I haven't used Sitters yet because I am reluctant to use someone we have not met before. But I am now desperate to go out with DH for the evening! I'd be interested in hearing anyone else's experience too.

We've used them once and I have to say I was very impressed, both with the office staff and with the lady who actually sat for us. She was an older lady with oodles of experience and we asked her to come a bit early so we could grill her. However she impressed us so much that we were ready and out of the door 30 mins too early for our cosy romantic dinner round the corner and had to go to the pub first (bum). I got home a bit tipsy and she wasn't even disapproving like my mum would have been if she had been there! Reasonable price too (especially as my mum won't drive home in the dark and so has to be sent home in a taxi, completely negating the financial benefit of grandparental involvement - aren't I a witch!!)- I'd definitely use them again.

Great. Suzj and Azure, can I ask where you live (SE or whatever will do)witcombe. I'm in Devon. Thanks.

I live in London

I also have used sitters.It works well for us as we have no family nearby.The agency carries out all the checks on the babysitters.They use registered childminders or nursery nurses.It gaves us the opportunity to get out for an evening once every couple of months.Youcan request the same sitter each time.

Thanks Suzyj and everyone. Freedom at last!

I am registered with sitters as a sitter and I can vouch that there is a very thorough vetting process. They spoke to my previous employers in Switzerland!

I did it out of curiosity to satisfy myself and also see how they worked and potentially to buy and run a sitters agency

Trueserafina, I live in central London. Most of my sitters live within 20 minutes and provide their own transport. Enjoy your evening out!

Have used sitters sporadically over the last three years and have never had any complaints. We've moved several times...Richmond, Kingston, Surrey and there's never been a problem finding one.

They are a bit expensive and take the £12.50 from your credit card regularly regardless of how long it is since you last used the service and don't even consider using them for New years Eve, we thought we might one year till we found out they were charging £16 per hr.

As I say no complaints but have heard their site isn't safe to book through, I always telephoned so this never effected us.

I've used them a couple of times, and the lady was fantastic, before we left the house my 3 girls were totally engrossed in a story. It is expensive though compared to the girl down the road, but they are better qualified. I did suggest to Sitters that you set up a regular booking say for evening classes without having to pay the booking fee and 4 hours minimum (if the sitter agreed to shorter hours), but they weren't interested and said that loads of people will quite happiy pay £24 a week to go to a couple of hours evening class.

How much do they cost per hour?

quarterly registration fee of £13-odd plus £5-£6 per hour direct to the sitter. I think this varies from region to region though and can be more, e.g. on New Year's Eve

I've used them once, and after some initial problems (and I wasn't too impressed with the attitude of the woman I spoke to), they came through for us, and we got a lovely lady, who has children around the same age as mine, and who I wouldn't hesitate to use again if necessary. We haven't needed to use them again as our childminder of 6 years has suddenly decided that she's happy to babysit (I think it's because the girls are older now), so we prefer to use her if possible. Or of course grandparents when they come and stay - they enjoy it and it's free!

ours worked out at £24 made up of £4 booking fee plus minimun of 4 hours.

I wouldn't pay 24 quid for a couple of hours babysitting - that's daylight robbery.

I would tend to agree with you Suew, but I was desperate to go to parents evening and Dh was working away, and every-one else I knew was either going to the evening or had other plans.

Completely agree that their charges are outrageous but we have been transient for so long due to work etc, that as a result of having no family in this country...........you do sometimes get desperate for a night out.
We lived in London for a long time and never knew who our neighbours were....

Now we're in Surrey and my next door neighbours 14yr old daughter babysits every Sat night for £7-10

thanks for this
I think I might give them a call.
I don't actually think £24 is too much - that's not, I might add because we're rolling in it - we're definintely NOT but just to have a night out it would be worth it.