Our Sitters

Who are the sitters?

The Babysitting Company started with a fabulous small group of dedicated sitters (many still work with us today!). Throughout the years, we’ve kept our babysitters happy and, by word of mouth, our network of excellent sitters has expanded and we’re proud to have each sitter on our team.

We also have great relationships with local colleges and universities, especially within the education and nursing departments. Their staff happily refers their students to The Babysitting Company.

How do I know that I am getting a good, safe and qualified sitter?
The Babysitting Company has the highest standards in the industry. Each sitter has participated in our rigorous training program that involves a personal interview, supervised training, a personality test, CPR certification and a clear background and drug test. Please be as detailed as possible in your request so that we can make the best possible match.
Will I know anything about my sitter before they arrive?

Once the sitter is chosen, a detailed profile including his or her full name, biography and photo will be sent to you by email. Your sitter will contact you prior to your reservation to introduce him/herself to you and your family.

*When booking your reservation with at least 24 hours notice and during normal business hours.

Can I speak with my sitter prior to my reservation?

Your sitter will reach out to you prior to your reservation (after reservation is confirmed). In addition, your sitters contact information will be provided in your email confirmation. Please leave a message if your sitter does not answer and allow 24 hours for them to return your call.

Sitters can not be contacted to make, modify or cancel a reservation. Sitters may be contacted through the time of your reservation while they are with your family. They may not under any circumstance be contacted after the reservation is completed. Sitters contact information may not be shared with any third party.

Can I meet the sitter prior to my scheduled reservation?

You are welcome to schedule a reservation to meet your sitter. All standard charges and minimums apply. Families may speak with their sitter by phone at no additional fee (after reservation is confirmed).

How can I make sure I am getting the best sitter for my family?

Please be as detailed as possible when making your reservation. Please include information about your ideal sitter and your family’s expectations, schedule and any other information that will be helpful to us in making the perfect match.

Scheduling & Cancellations

What if I need to change the time of the reservation or we are running late?

All reservations must be changed or modified with at least 48 hours notice and are based on availability. With less than 48 hours notice, you will be charged from the earliest reserved time plus any applicable parking fees. All changes must be made directly with The Babysitting Company during normal business hours. After hours and last minute changes will incur additional fees.

What if I have to cancel a reservation?

CANCELLATION AND MODIFICATION POLICY

The first hour of each individual service and Booking Fee(s)/ Agency Fee(s) are charged upon confirmation. This deposit is not refundable and not transferable for any day, time or reason.

We strictly enforce a 48-hour cancellation and modification policy for all standard babysitting reservations and a 72-hour cancellation and modification policy for reservations with multiple babysitters, for groups, special rates, overnights, travel, early and late starts and for holidays (New Years Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Valentines Day, President’s Day, First night of Passover, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Juneteenth, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Halloween, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Years Eve).

If the reservation is canceled or modified with less than the required 48 or 72 hours notice, the full remaining balance of the scheduled hours will be charged to the credit card provided at the time the reservation was made. Cancellations and modifications may only be made by speaking with The Babysitting Company directly or with a timed stamped voicemail. Cancellations and/or modifications by text, by email and/or directly with the babysitter will not be honored. Modifications made within 24 hours of a reservation or after hours will incur an additional fee.  There are no exceptions.

What if there is bad weather, our plane is delayed or our event is cancelled, etc.?

The Babysitting Company’s cancellation policy will apply. There are no exceptions.

WHAT IF THE LOCATION OR OTHER RESERVATION DETAILS CHANGE?

If the location changes we can not guarantee that the same sitter will be available or that we will be able to accommodate your request. Please contact us directly with any updated to your reservation. Additional fees may apply.

Do I need to know the exact times for my reservation?

We will need the exact start and end time for your reservation to confirm your reservation. Sitters take reservations based on the hours. You are billed for the full hours reserved, even if you arrive early.

If the times of your reservation changes, we can not guarantee availability.

To make changes to the start time: Call the company directly.
To make changes to the end time (prior to the reservation): Call the company directly.
To make changes to the end time (once the reservation has started): contact your sitter directly to stay later and their availability will depend on their schedule.

What if I want to extend my reservation?

Once your reservation has begun and your sitter is in your home/ hotel and you would like to extend your session, you may contact your sitter directly. Reservations may not exceed 12 hours. If your sitter is not able to accommodate your request or you are inquiring about a change prior to your services, please call TBC directly.

Booking

When should I book my sitter?

It is always a good idea to book your reservation with as much notice as possible. Booking a sitter with at least 24 hours notice is suggested Last minute and special requests are accepted, even with an hours notice, and are based on availability. There is an additional charge for last minute services.availability.

HOW LONG BEFORE I HAVE TO LEAVE SHOULD I BOOK MY SITTER?

We recommend scheduling your sitter to arrive at least 15 minutes before you have to leave to fill out the necessary paperwork and go over instructions and expectations.

How can I reserve a sitter?

You can reserve a sitter by filling out a Reservation Request form, calling The Babysitting Company directly or speaking with your hotel concierge. Please do not text The Babysitting Company or the sitters with requests. For after hours, last minute, holiday and urgent requests please call us directly.

Can I request the same sitter every time?
It is always our preference to book the same sitter. Please provide all of the dates and times with as much notice as possible so that the same sitter can be arranged. We will do our best to choose a sitter that generally has availability during those times however, we can never guarantee that the same sitter will always be available. We find it helpful for to meet 3-5 sitters.
What if I have a last minute request?

We are able to accommodate most last-minute requests. We can usually have a sitter to your home, hotel or event within the hour. There are additional fees when booking a sitter at the last minute. For after hours, last minute, holiday and urgent requests please call us directly at (888) 407-7822.

What if I have an after hours request?

We are able to accommodate most after hours requests. For after hours, last minute, holiday and urgent requests please call us directly at (888) 407-7822.

How do I confirm my reservation?

Once your request is reviewed, you will receive an e-mail with your sitter’s profile along with a follow up phone call (when a phone number is provided). To confirm your reservation call us directly with your payment information (Visa or MasterCard). Once your reservation is confirmed a formal confirmation email will be sent.

What if I only need a sitter for an hour or two?

There is a 4 hour minimum for all on-site services. Sitters can be booked for on site services for a maximum of 12 hours (unless reservation is overnight). Virtual services can be accommodated for 30 to 90 minutes.

Do I always need to book sitters through The Babysitting Company?

Reservations must be booked directly with The Babysitting Company. The sitters are under a non-negotiable contract and they will not work for any client (or third party) outside of The Babysitting Company. The sitters respect their jobs, commitments, and agreements and we hope you will too.

For the best and most safe service possible please contact TBC or your hotel concierge directly for all requests.

CAN i contact my sitter directly?

Your sitter will reach out to you prior to your reservation. In addition, your sitters contact information will be provided in your email confirmation. Please leave a message if your sitter does not answer and allow 24 hours for them to return your call.

Sitters can not be contacted to make, modify or cancel a reservation. Sitters may be contacted through the time of your reservation while they are with your family. They may not under any circumstance be contacted after the reservation is completed. Sitters contact information may not be shared with any third party.

can i share my sitters contact information with another family?

We appreciate all of the support and referrals! For the best and most safe service contact TBC or your hotel concierge directly for all requests. Do not contact your sitter directly after your reservation or provide their contact information to anyone.

During the Sitting

How will my sitter find me for my reservation?
Please make sure that your sitters name is cleared with security/ your gate when applicable. For hotels/ resorts/ condos your sitter will check in with the concierge/ front desk each time they arrive. The desk will call for permission to send your sitter to you. If for any reason they can not connect with you, your sitter will try your direct contact information given at the time of your reservation. 
How should I give the sitter instructions?
Your sitter will already have a description of your general expectations based on the information provided at the time of reservation. The sitter will have a form for you to complete with your detailed expectations. It is also recommended to have your instructions and requests written or printed out for the sitter prior to the sitters arrival. Please be detailed and remember that each family is different. We recommend scheduling the sitter to arrive at least 15 minutes before you have to leave to review and familiarize the sitter with your instructions.
Is there anything that the sitters can not do?
Household cleaning, laundry, driving with you or your child(ren), running errands, making deliveries, giving baths or showers, giving medication, supervising medications and allowing anyone not pre-authorized by the client into the home or hotel room is prohibited.
Should I provide a meal for the sitter?

Sitters will bring their own food and snacks. However, if your reservation is 4 or more hours and during a normal mealtime, we strongly encourage providing a meal for your sitter. If your reservation is 8 hours or more, and during normal meal times, you are required to purchase at least one meal for your sitter.

What will the sitter do while my children are napping or sleeping?
Your sitter will bring a book or quiet work to do while the children are sleeping or napping. If you are in a hotel room, the sitter will sit quietly and in the dark until you arrive. The Babysitting Company provides child care services only. Sitters will not clean or do any domestic work outside of cleanup from the time they have spent with the children during the reservation.

Payment

How does payment work?

Payment is charged by the credit card provided at the time of reservation. The first hour of service is charged when the reservation is confirmed. The balance of the 4 hour minimum is charged 24 hours prior to the reservation’s scheduled start time (72 hours for holidays and groups). You are charged from the time that the sitter is scheduled to arrive to the time that you arrive (to the nearest quarter of the hour). At the end of the reservation, your sitter will have a receipt for you to sign. The sitter then reports to The Babysitting Company and any balance is charged. Credit card receipts are sent automatically by email so please ensure that The Babysitting Company has your email address on file. The only cash provided to your sitter directly is their tip.

Is it customary to add gratuity?

Gratuity is not included for standard reservations and should be given to the sitter directly in cash or on the credit card receipt provided at the end of the reservation and at each clients discretion. For groups, multiple families, holidays, last minute reservations, early/late starts and reservations ending at 2am or later, 20% gratuity will automatically be added.

Can I use my Flex Spend Accounts (FSA) for services?

We can offer receipts for services as needed for FSA accounts. All payment is made by Visa and MasterCard.

Additional Guidelines

What if my child wants to have a friend over?
Please notify The Babysitting Company if there will be more children in the home or hotel room than originally scheduled. We will need detailed information on all of the children present and emergency contact information. Additional fees will apply.
What if my child is sick?

The Babysitting Company must be notified when a child is sick. Additional fees apply for sick children. Sitters will not administer medicine of any kind and can not supervise a child self administering medication (unless in the event of an emergency or an epi-pen is needed). Please be upfront when booking your reservation so that we can provide the best possible care. If the sitter arrives and is unable to care for your child because an illness or special need was not specified, you will be billed for a cancelled reservation.

Am I able to meet with the executive team?

Please contact us directly and we will do our best to accommodate all requests.

CAN MY SITTER SWIM WITH MY CHILD?

Please advise us of any swimming requirements when making your reservation. All children who are not independent swimmers will need to be in floats. Sitters will not swim with your child unless authorized in writing. Ocean play/ swimming is not permitted.

How can I contact The Babysitting Company?

We are available 24/7 by phone at (888)407-7822, ext 1.

We appreciate all non-urgent requests after hours be directed to extension 0, where we will return your call the following business day.

Emails and online requests are monitored during normal business hours only.

We do not field requests by text message.

*Please always leave a message with your name and return phone number.*

How are you handling the CoVid-19 pandemic?

Please click here for our COVID-19 protective measures. 

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