Anyone used sitters?

[StarlightMcKenzie]

Please can you tell me if they are reliable, sensible etc.?

Many thanks

[KOKOagainandagain]

I have. Made sure everything was done in advance to get them ready for bed but they were ultra-compliant and took advantage of the sitters willingness to do what they wanted - HFA age-related. Not sure it would work now though .

They tend to be mums, abide by your rules and are very reliable and sensible - no party broadcast on FB

[perceptionreality]

I used them quite a bit a few years ago - never had any complaints about the staff, they were all very responsible.

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

I've used sitters for a number of years now and have found them to be very good.

[Toppy]

Hi Star - long time no see !
I use sitters all the time. Over the years we have had about 10. 1 I requested never come back under any circumstances (she was just a bit mad but I would say was a complete anomaly), 7 have been brilliant and 2 have been superb and are my regulars now - you can rank them. One of these two coincidentallyu happens to be the LSA for a SN girl at the mainstream school I am hoping to transition DS to so all very neat. Also DS's current teacher (not sure if you have ever met her) also used to work for them - she would be my dream sitter. Like the others say, all tend to be mums and if not have experience. They are very competitively priced too - even when you take into account the one off booking fee and annual membership.

[Walter4]

My experience was not good, I think it depends on who they happen to send.

[redhappy]

Had a look at the website and it says they cannot care for children with special needs. Do you tell them about your dcs needs beforehand? Would be interested to know what the response has been, I would love access to a babysitter!

[StarlightMcKenzie]

I suppose it depends how critical it is the person knows and understands the needs a sleeping child.

Otherwise I have no problem changing my mind to agree with one of ds' early teacher that he is just a naughty boy.

[redhappy]

Haha yes! Would you be able to have yours asleep before the sitter arrives?

[silverfrog]

I have used them in the past - they do say they cannot cater for SN.

I did tell them that dd1 was autistic, and on the basis that she was ready for bed, and at age 2/3 her needs were in the reasonably high category, and not that far from any NT 2/3 year old - ie might be confused if she woke, had a favourite story/toy to settle with, might get upset if I/dh were not there, sitters agreed to send us some people.

I didn't find them massively helpful, but then we were living in a very rural area at the time, with not many people on their books - so for eg if we needed someone for 7pm, it never really happened because the sitter needed to get home from their day job, changed/eat etc and then out to us and could rarely make it before 7.30/7.45. So quick nd easy nights out - eg cinema, could not happen for us as the timings didn't work. so we let our membership lapse. might look into them again actually, so thanks for the reminder

[StarlightMcKenzie]

Well something has gone wrong and I'm trying to contact them, but their 'contact us' button doesn't work.

I'm finding their system very confusing tbh.

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

If you want to e-mail them I would advise pasting their e-mail address into the senders address when you access your own e-mail account.

I usually phone them, they open after 9.00. They tend to answer the phone pretty quickly.

[StarlightMcKenzie]

All sorted. Have to say they were efficient, friendly and reasonable.