A babysitting agency is ideal when you need a babysitter as the babysitters have already been screened and the agency can match a person to your family from a list of available babysitters. Locals often know through word of mouth which agency to go to, but as a tourist or new to a city, how do you know who to call on when you are needing a babysitter through a babysitting agency? Already out of the comfort of home, in a new city, how do you know who to listen too?
As the owner of Cherished Cherubs Babysitting Agency in Perth, last year I contacted a number of different babysitting agencies in Melbourne with the view of being able to refer our customers to them when travelling. I wanted to give genuine referrals, and know that who we recommended in Melbourne held the same high standards and morals as our babysitting agency in Perth. So in essence, I was also searching for which babysitting agency to use. Here’s the process that gave a great result.
Start with an internet search. View the websites and you will probably be able to immediately dismiss a number of them. Those that have poorly written content, or inadequate information eludes professionalism. View the people within the business. What is their background, do they have hands on experience on a professional and or personal level? This hands on experience is invaluable in being able to relate to parents as well as the babysitters.
What service are you actually needing? Do you want a large company that deals with babysitting as well as nannying, as well as au pairs, as well as cleaning, as well as elderly care ……, or do you want a specialised babysitting agency?
Search social media and reviews. Social media will show the agency’s morals, their humour, their personality as such. Follow them. Check out their reviews. Look at where they are posted, and if they sound genuine.
Make contact. Email the business and see what response you receive. Was it prompt, friendly and did it provide relevant information? For those that do not respond, I always like to give the benefit of the doubt with technology, and busy people, and try one more time.
Pick up the phone. Ask the questions, even if you have read them on the website. Express if you are feeling nervous. You will get a feel for how genuine the person you are speaking with is. Chances are if they have a great team at the top, they will have a great team of babysitters.
If you are still needing some reassurance, ring a hotel they work with and ask concierge about the agency. They have no vested interest in the babysitting agency itself as long as their needs are met, so they should be able to give you an honest answer.
If you have gone through all of this you have done your research and will most probably know who you would like to entrust your children too.
How did I go with my research for finding a good babysitting agency in Melbourne? I found Natasha at Caring for Melbourne. I have met with her and her gorgeous family and we speak regularly on the phone. Her morals, her vision, her experience and her personality make her my number one choice for anyone needing a babysitter in Melbourne.
For a babysitter in Perth go to cherishedcherubs.com.au
For a babysitter in Melbourne go to caringformelbourne.com.au
