How to Book a Professional Babysitter for the First Time
I’ve never left my kids with a “stranger”
We’ve all been there. It’s 8 PM on a Monday night and your mom, who was supposed to care for your kids the following day, can no longer make it.
Your neighbour. Your friends. They’re not available. And you’ve already maxed out your sick days at work.
You have no childcare! What do you do?
If you’ve only ever relied on friends and family to care for your children, the idea of hiring someone completely new, especially last-minute, can be overwhelming and even a little scary.
Enter the professional nanny
Instead of relying on grandparents or your teenage neighbour for last-minute childcare, why not hire a professional? After all, you wouldn’t let an inexperienced teenager have a go at fixing your car or cleaning your teeth, right?
So why would you let an inexperienced person with no credentials care for your children?
Professional nannies who provide in-home babysitting offer a safe and secure childcare solution that’s also convenient and flexible. If your childcare needs are sporadic, last minute, or completely unpredictable, using a professional babysitting service can be a real lifesaver for parents in a bind!
What is a professional nanny?
A professional nanny has a combination of childcare experience and childcare-related education.
At Nannies on Call, for instance, we look for nannies who:
Have at least 2 years of childcare-specific experience.
Are education-minded
Are Early Childhood Education graduates, Montessori-trained, professional teachers and tutors, Newborn Care Specialists, doulas, nurses, camp counsellors, etc.
Have a variety of skills (languages, tech, the arts, athletics, food & nutrition, etc.)
In addition to these characteristics, Nannies on Call also requires that all nannies have:
A detailed childcare resume
A valid Standard or Emergency Childcare First Aid + CPR certificate
A current clear Criminal Record Check
Childcare-specific References (minimum of 2)
One piece of photo ID (for identification purposes)
Nannies who work with a professional nanny agency will also typically undergo a thorough interview process, reference check, and in the case of Nannies on Call, an in-depth Nanny Orientation course before they are ready to work with families.
This is what makes professional nannies true professionals.
How do professional Nannies help families who need occasional or last-minute childcare?
When you hire a professional nanny to babysit for the day, you can be sure that your children will be well looked after so you can calmly focus on work, catch up with errands, go to appointments, or simply take time for yourself.
They’ll know exactly how to put you and your little ones at ease so you can go off and do your thing, while they enjoy their day together. If you have something specific in mind, a professional nanny can also follow any schedule you set out for the children.
Ok. So how do you find a professional nanny?
Professional nannies typically work through agencies, so you’ll have to do a bit of research to find a nanny agency in your area that offers an in-home babysitting service.
Then you’ll want to dig a little deeper and find out:
How long has the agency been in business?
What requirements does the agency have for nannies?
What screening and interviewing process do nannies go through?
What training does the agency provide nannies?
Do all nannies have clear current criminal record checks? Up-to-date First Aid/CPR certificates?
How many reference letters do they ask for (personal or professional?)
How many references are actually checked?
Once you’re sure of the babysitting service you want to use (go with your gut!), make sure you understand what the service includes, the costs involved (typically an agency fee + the nanny’s hourly rate), and their cancellation policy.
Then, take the plunge and make a babysitting appointment.
What to consider when making a Babysitting appointment
Have a clear and reasonable understanding of what you need the Nanny to do during the appointment.
Typically, Nannies can engage in educational play and crafts, read with your children, take them outside for more physical activities, prepare light snacks and meals, clean up after their meals and snacks, do bath time and bedtime routines. Depending on the Nanny, they may also be able to do homework with your children.
If you’re a babysitting newbie, we recommend that you start with a short appointment to “get your feet wet” and to get your children used to the idea of spending the day with someone new. Most agencies have a 3 or 4-hour minimum, so go with that.
When scheduling your babysitting appointment, factor in enough time to introduce yourself and the children to the Nanny, and also show them the ropes. For first-time appointments, we recommend 20 to 30 minutes and 15 to 20 minutes for subsequent appointments.
How to prepare for your first babysitting appointment with a professional nanny
Let the children know a Nanny is coming so they can get used to the idea and have something to look forward to (i.e. a day of fun with a new playmate!).
Have a plan for the Nanny to follow and put it in writing. This can include the children’s schedule, allergies/special needs, important dos and don’ts you want the Nanny to know, and emergency contact numbers.
Prepare in advance everything the Nanny will need during the appointment. This includes things like the stroller, special blankets, diaper bag, umbrella, your children’s coats, boots, hats, sunscreen, an extra change of clothes, etc.
What to do when the Nanny arrives
When the Nanny arrives, you’ll want to spend the first 20 to 30 minutes introducing them to the kids, sharing the schedule/expectations, and showing them the areas of your home where they’ll be caring for the children.
Be clear about whether you prefer that they stay home during the appointment, or if it’s ok for them to go outside for playtime, whether permitting. If you’re asking the Nanny to take the kids out of your home, you’ll also need to give them any entry codes and house keys.
Discuss how you’ll be communicating with the Nanny during the appointment. Will you be calling in or texting? Or do you want the Nanny to text you only if there’s an emergency? Set the boundaries that work for both of you.
Set your expectations, then let the Nanny take over. They’re professionals and know what to do.
What to do at the end of your Babysitting appointment
It’s easy to rush the end of the appointment, especially if the Nanny has had a long day with the children. However, in our experience, the end of the appointment is just as important as the beginning.
Speak with the Nanny to ask how everything went. Did the kids have a good time? Was the Nanny able to follow your instructions/schedule? Is there anything that you need to know before the Nanny leaves? Ask questions!
We also encourage you to talk to your children about the Nanny after they leave. What did they do? Did they enjoy their time together? Would they like to see the Nanny again? Was there something they didn’t like?
In a perfect world, every Nanny that comes to your home would be a perfect match, but that’s not real life.
There will be Nannies that are a wonderful fit with you and your little ones, and others that won’t. If you booked the Nanny through an agency, share your feedback about your experience, whether it’s good or bad. Agencies like to keep only the best Nannies on their roster and your feedback will be valuable.
The more comfortable you become with having professional babysitters in your home, the easier it will be for you to know exactly what type of Nanny is the best fit for your children, and the easier it will be for them to look forward to and enjoy Nanny time.
What’s next?
If you live in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto or Ottawa, we’d love to help you book your next Mary Poppins for an in-home babysitting appointment. Get started here!