selecting a babysitter

[shirley_sheena]

dear all,

i have been very busy and unable to manage my children. And im thinking of hiring a babysitter. However, I am not sure about how to organize this. Anyone experienced in using them?

What factors should I look out for? Do i get to interview them? Any recommendations? How much do they cost?

So many questions! hope to find some answers here.. thank you!

[JimH5]

The two times I've needed a babysitter, I called the principal at my daughter's preschool to request a staff member. She was very accommodating and helpful in the effort, and thought there would be no conflict of interest.

Both times, the school helpers were glad for the extra cash (I paid $50 for 2.5 hours once and $100 for 4 hours another time). Probably a little high, but the 4-hour visit was also on a weekend and required transportation to and from. . .

This way, I knew my daughter would have someone they knew and trusted. And I knew it would be someone who was good with kids--and someone who would also have to face me down the road if they were mean or neglectful.

[Arabesque]

For babysitting services you could probably look around in the Classified section of the newspaper. They'd usually have some ads. A friend of mine is running a babysitting service. Here let me pull up what she had for her ad...

Before 7pm
First 2 hours; $8/hour
3rd hour & above; $7/hour

After 7pm
First 2 hours; $9/hour
3rd hour & above; $8/hour

*Simple meals & snacks like Salad, Cereal & Macaroni/Cheese can be prepared upon request.


Yeap. So if you're interested, you can email me at [email protected] & I'll pass on the message to her

Eva

[Josephinee]

Hi! Are you sure thats the price for babysitting?As to what i know babysitting companys do no charge that low.Please do not give the wrong information and spoil the market.Most agency's that i know charge about $20 per hour or $15 per hour after 7.The angecy will pay half of what they charge the client to the babysitter.

[Arabesque]

It's my friends own little thing, no agency involved in the process.
That's why its low.

[Josephinee]

Hi! Is she a local or a foreigner?I don't think a local will charge that kind
of price.If she is a foreigner that make sense.

[Arabesque]

Local. No she's not a cheat, she does it because #1. She's doing it for extra pocket money & #2. She loves kids, aspiring to be a ballet teacher in the future so she needs the experience with the kids.

And she's really good with them too. Pretty popular with the little ones over at our ballet/dance centre

[Josephinee]

Hi i did not say your friend is a cheat,i just said don't spoil the market cause as to what i know babysitters do not charge that kid of rates.And good for her if she is doing it for extra pocket money and have love for kids.If your friend is chargeing that kind of price i guess other babysitters will have a problem cause she is spoiling the market and people will expect that kind of rates from all the other babysitters.She is doing it for extra pocket money what about people who is doing babysitting for a living.This is the problem with some people and your friend who spoils the market and peoples rice bowl just for extra pocket money.

[Arabesque]

That's pretty true. Well I'll tell her but she just thinks that if she charges too high, people may not want to hire her.

[Josephinee]

Well if she is good and have done babysitting befor parents will want her
to babysit.Most important is the parents and the child have to trust her,in that way she will have regular parents calling her.Anyway all the best to your friend.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Josephinee,

They are not spoiling the market. It's called competition. Better service at a better price. As the recession gets deeper, expect more and more competition......

[Josephinee]

Well i do understand about the recession,But the price is way to low for a
babysitter.This is not a competition this is about people's job.There are lot of people out there is do babysitting for a living.Just trying to make sense about the price.

[cbavasi]

Actually that is not a low price - the going rate is $10 an hour. There are a couple of agencies that charge $12/$15. I've never heard of anyone paying $20 an hour for a babysitter.

[Josephinee]

Hi! If you can get someone for $10 that's good.However if you say that agencys charge $12 to $15 it could be true but they charge an angecy fee and i can asure you that there are some companys that charege $20 and pay the babysitter $10.I don't understand why it is so hard for people to except the fact that paying abit more for babysitting.As to what i know in the foreign countries you pay so much more for a babysitters and when it comes to Asia it have to be cheap.Do you people understand that babysitters are doing you people a favour and to get a babysitter is not that easy. I understand that you people are paying but think that without them you might not get to to go out with love ones and have a night out with friends.

[durain]

so S$10/hour is the benchmark now. good we live in a free economy world.