Part Time Help/Babysitting

[snowqueen]

Hi,

I know this subject has been done to death but I would really like some recommendations from people who have actually used either and agency or the classifieds to find a part time cleaner and babysitter.

I'm first to admit that I am freakishly paranoid about having someone in my house that I do not know to look after my home and my baby but I know we've all got to start somewhere. I can't really afford these extortionate agency fees so would like to know if anyone has gone down the classified route and found someone reliable and trustworthy.

How did you go about it, what sort of things should I be wary of doing it this way.

Any advice would be gratefully received.

[fatmouse76]

I have personally tried some adhoc babysitters from the Classifieds and although from an agency ,there was no agency fees.
The time I booked a babysitter was until 1 am, thus I had to pay $20 to the babysitter for taxi fare.

Other than that it was just the hourly rate. I still keep using the current Babysitting Agency till now as and when I need to pop out for a while.

[gravida]

I've tried the classifieds when I was looking for a cleaner to my office. That was pretty bad experience... Most of the girls turned out to be maids/helpers working for somebody else and trying to get more money. It is illegal, so be careful.

I would rather seek help from agency (part timer's fees are not that high, something between 130-250 dollars one time fee). You got the guarantee it is going to be legal and usually you can change the helper up to three times if something goes wrong. I do not have yet experience with babysitting/nanny. I will be looking for one soon, but with the baby I would be even more careful... I would not risk to hire somebody who leaves note in Cold Storage or in the classified section. But that's me

[fatmouse76]

In my opinion, when it comes to Babysitting ,you have to be stringent in choosing a Babysitter as you are leaving the child in someone else's hand.Do interview a few before you decide.

As for cleaners, I have called some agencies where they are charging about $150 for agency fees and the free reaplcement is within 3 months.

I have a friend who used to do such a business but not anymore. He feedbacked that many clients were not willing to pay the agency fees and more often when he tried to recruit Singaporeans for the cleaning position, they were not willing to go to another Singaporeans house to do cleaning.

After a while, he stopped doing the job.

At the moment ,the cleaner that comes to my place is not a PR but she is a DP holder, for me , it doesnt matter as long as the job is done.

I think all individuals have their own preference.