Banish the babysitting blues
It's Valentine's day and the night for love and romance - the perfect time to visit your favourite bistro for that much needed candlelit dinner. But who will look after the littl'uns? While Cupid draws back his bow, why not call in the professionals? We show you how...
- Babysitting guidelines
- Check out these babysitting agencies
- Read how two mums banish the babysitting blues
For those of us who don't have a willing granny or a regular and enthusiastic babysitter, romantic nights out can seem as extinct as the dodo. But there are some well-established, professional babysitting agencies across the country, many of which are borne out of reputable nanny or childcare companies who can help out.
Agencies generally operate by charging an annual registration or a one-off booking fee, on top of which you'll pay an hourly rate for the babysitter. Fees and hourly charges vary from agency to agency and in some cases, you may be expected to contribute to the babysitter's transport costs. It's generally also the norm that on special nights like Valentine's or New Year's Eve, the rate can go up. Plus because they are popular nights to go out, you'll need to book longer in advance, especially to guarantee you'll get the babysitter you want. Another bonus, especially for undomestic goddesses, is that some agencies can provide a babysitter who, for a nominal fee, will also help out with housework or the ironing.
Obviously the safety of your children is paramount, so how can you be sure you choose a good agency? The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) produces detailed babysitting guidelines which provide a useful starting point (call RoSPA on 0121 248 2000 or log on to www.rospa.co.uk for a copy).
RoSPA's spokesman Roger Vincent also advises the following:
- Get a feel for a company's credentials by requesting literature and checking how long they have been established.
- Find out how the agency checks out references of the babysitters on its books; does it conduct face-to-face interviews with potential babysitters? Are its employees police-checked?
- What rules and guidelines are prescribed for babysitters; are the employees allowed to consume alcohol, etc?
- Is the agency insured in the event of an accident?
- What are the minimum childcare qualifications or experience required by their babysitters?
- If you have a baby or very young child, does the recommended babysitter have the relevant childcare experience?
Check out these babysitting agencies
Childminders
Area covered: London-wideTel: 020 7935 3000, www.babysitter.co.uk
A well-established agency with over 34 years experience. The agency has over 1,500 babysitters on its register and most are off-duty nurses, nannies and primary school teachers or mothers. All employees are at least 19 years old and have their own cars if they work in outer London.
Registration fee: £64 per year
Hourly rates: Evenings: Sunday-Wednesday: £5.20 per hour; Thursday-Friday: £5.40; Saturday £6.40 per hour. Days: £6.80 per hour.
Minimum notice required: 48 hours
Minimum booking time: Four hours
Kiddikare - Babysitting Service for Surrey.
Area covered: SurreyTel: 01483 271 241, www.babysittersofsurrey.co.uk
A well-established agency since 1978. All babysitters are fully-referenced and the majority are employed as childcare providers - the agency will use local mothers, nannies, nurses & teachers who again have been thoroughly checked. The sitters are over 25 years old & are non-smokers. They all have their own transport. Please note that Kiddikare is open from Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm.
Booking fee: Discretionary for non-members
Hourly rates: £5-£7
Minimum notice required: 24 hours or less
Minimum booking time: two to three hours
Lauvic
Area covered: Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire and WorcestershireTel: 0870 443 0870, www.lauvic.com
The agency has an extensive register of babysitters most of whom are off-duty nannies, nurses, primary school teachers, student nursery nurses. All employees are thoroughly vetted and police-checked. On top of the hourly rate, babysitters should be reimbursed for all travelling expenses, and after 10pm should be driven home or have a taxi provided.
Membership fee: Varies depending on family requirements
Hourly rates: Negotiable, apply for brochure
Minimum notice required: None - emergency service provided
Minimum booking time: Four hours
Little Stars
Tel: 01283 792 354; www.littlestarsnannyagency.comArea covered: Nationwide
A nanny agency which has expanded to offer a babysitting service as well. For a one-off introduction fee, the agency will find you the perfect candidate, with exactly the right qualifications and experience to look after your children. Once the introduction has been arranged the family can organise and negotiate with the babysitter directly as and when babysitting services are required.
One-off placement fee: £50
Hourly rates: Negotiable. Rates vary from £6-£9, depending on babysitter's qualification and experience
Minimum notice required: 24-48 hours
Minimum booking time: Four hours
Rockinghorse
Area covered: Herefordshire, Surrey and the home countiesTel: 01869 343 600, www.rockinghorsenannies.com Primarily an agency which supplies fully-referenced nannies, mother's helps and maternity nurses who will also provide babysitting services. For a one-off introduction fee, the agency's aim is to set up an introduction between a family and a babysitter who you then deal with directly. Also offers a special service for an introduction service where for an initial fee of £200 you will be guaranteed the same babysitter each time.
Introduction fee: £50
Hourly rates: Approximately £5-£7 per hour
Minimum notice required: 24
Minimum booking time: Three hours
Safehands
Area covered: NationwideTel: 0870 844 6688, www.safehandsnetwork.com
One of the largest national agencies providing childcare for day and evening time requirements. The agency also has strong childcare links with National Health Trusts and local authorities, providing childcare within communities, and also specialises in tending children with special needs.
Registration fee: £59 annual membership
Hourly rates: Approximately £5-£7 per hour
Minimum notice required: Same day but allow 24 hours
Minimum booking time: Four hours
Sitters
Area covered: NationwideTel: 0800 38 900 38, www.sitters.co.uk
All babysitters must have professional childcare experience and most are local authority registered childminders or professionally qualified nursery nurses. Employees must be fully referenced and are interviewed face-to-face by the agency.
Registration fee: £12.75 for three months
Hourly rates: Weekdays £5 per hour, Saturday £6 per hour
Minimum notice required: 48 hours
Minimum booking time: Four hours
Top Notch Nannies - Brilliant Babysitters
Area covered: All areas within the M25Tel: 020 7259 2626; www.topnotchnannies.co.uk
For an annual fee, the agency will put you in touch with four local babysitters, who you can contact directly as and when you need them. If all four are unavailable or leave the area, the agency will also find you a replacement.
Annual fee: £95
Hourly rates: Weekdays £5 per hour, Saturday £6 per hour
Minimum notice required: Two hours
Minimum booking time: Four hours
For more agencies and childcare solutions, check out www.bestbear.co.uk. Founded by a group of working mothers, including a childcare consultant, this is a really useful website. Over the last couple of years the Best Bear team has conducted a nationwide survey and vetted over a thousand childcare agencies including babysitting services. The site includes a neat search facility, where you can look for a local agency based on your postcode.
By Justina Haesaerts
Where to next?
- Read how two mums banish the babysitting blues
- Talk to other parents about babysitting worries or share tips on one of our parenting discussion forums
- Don't let your relationship with your partner become consumed by your children, check our tips on how to survive!
- We've got information on everything from feeding your baby to potty training - check it out!
- Win a prize on babyworld!