Banish
the babysitting blues
It's a special occasion, perhaps it is your wedding anniversary, or Valentine's day or you just need a night for love and romance - but to get that much needed candlelit dinner you need a babysitter. But who will look after the baby? Making time to each other when you have a baby is difficult and you might need to consider a call to the professionals for peace of mind? 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 grandparent 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-wide
Tel: 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.
Rockinghorse
Area covered: Herefordshire, Surrey and the home counties
Tel: 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.
Safehands
Area covered: Nationwide
Tel: 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.
Sitters
Area covered: Nationwide
Tel: 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.
Top Notch Nannies - Brilliant Babysitters
Area covered: All areas within the M25
Tel: 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.
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.
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!