Working with a Babysitter Agency

A babysitter agency is a company that works as a liaison between parents who are in need of babysitters and the babysitters themselves. Some agencies work only with babysitters. Some work with nannies. There are also babysitter and nanny agencies. Finding a babysitting agency in your area that is reliable can be a challenge. Here is how to make sure that, when you work with a babysitting agency, your kids are being left in good and responsible hands.

References

Before working with anyone from the babysitter agency, ask for references—references both for the agency itself and for the babysitting nanny that the agency wants to pair up with you. There are two sources of references that you need to find: references that are provided by the babysitter and nanny agencies and references from people who have used the agency. The reason for this is that it is a safe bet that any reference phone numbers given to you by the agency itself will result in positive reviews. To get a fair review of the agency you need to find references and reviews that are given of the person's free will. These can be found by asking your friends which agencies they use and why as well as independent reviews given of each agency by a third party— newspaper, personal websites, etc.

Shop Around

As with just about any type of service, it is a good idea to shop around before you hire a babysitting nanny. Compare the reviews and ratings of all of the babysitting agencies in your area. Many of these agencies will be listed with local business bureaus and on parenting sites. Call each of them and ask for rate quotes and make sure to get each quote in writing. The last thing you want is for the agency to quote you one rate and then the sitter to quote you another when he or she arrives to baby-sit for the evenings. The simplest way to get a quote in writing from a babysitter agency is to simply have it e-mailed or faxed over.

Schedule Meetings

Finally, you should schedule in person meetings with each agency you want to work with before you allow yourself to hire anyone. Visit the agency itself and meet with the babysitter before the babysitter is needed at your home. This will allow you, the agency and the babysitter to get to know each other and to see if he or she will be a good babysitting nanny for your kids. Some parents arrange two meetings: one with just the parents and the sitter and one with the parents, the sitter and the kids. Getting everyone together before the babysitter is left in charge is a good way to raise comfort levels for everyone involved.

Working with a babysitter agency can save you a lot of time in finding a babysitter when you need one. It is important, however, that you take your time when you choose which agency you want to work with. Never rush into a decision that involves the care of your children!