| A babysitter agency is not always the answer to all | | | | Sitter Arrangements - Ask too about arrangements |
| your prayers. If you aren't careful, an agency can also | | | | for the sitter. Once you pick a sitter, find out if you |
| be the cause of terrible headaches for you. Finding a | | | | would have to spend on transportation fees. Consider |
| good agency is as important as finding the right nanny | | | | in advance if you would want a stay in sitter or one |
| or sitter. Here are some important tips to consider | | | | that would stay out. Not every agency provides both |
| when looking for an agency. | | | | types of sitters. |
| See References - Always check the references of | | | | Parent Participation - Find out how much you will be |
| the agency itself. Find out through online message | | | | involved. Some agencies will let you participate actively |
| boards if it is a company that many people would | | | | in the screening process. They could provide you with |
| recommend. Check too the track record of the | | | | an opportunity to interview possible sitters. There are |
| company. Find out if it has been in the business of | | | | also some agencies that can do the screening for you |
| providing sitters to families for a long time and if there | | | | so all you have to do is to wait for the sitter chosen |
| are instance of major client complaints. | | | | by the agency. The agency type that you choose will |
| Make Comparisons - Compare as many agencies as | | | | depend on your own personal preferences. |
| you can. You can easily do this through the internet. | | | | The Guarantees - Ask about guarantees. How far will |
| Many agencies have online sites that you can access. | | | | an agency be willing to accommodate your |
| This will give you an idea which agency has the most | | | | preferences with the least degree of inconvenience on |
| convenient system and the most complete service. | | | | your part? Will they replace sitters you are not happy |
| Check the Services - Go through an agency's list of | | | | with at no extra charge? What will happen if a sitter |
| services one by one. Find out if they have everything | | | | has to go home for personal reasons? |
| you need or if they are missing some crucial service. | | | | Disadvantages - One disadvantage of a lot of |
| Important services to consider are thorough | | | | agencies is the steep cost. Always be prepared to |
| background investigation and reference checks. | | | | spend a lot on an agency is you want good service |
| The Price - Never fail to ask a babysitter agency | | | | and a good sitter. |
| about the total cost. Be careful. Some agencies have | | | | There are numerous agencies out there but you have |
| lists of fees that do not include other possible costs. | | | | to be careful. You don't want to end up with the |
| There may be some hidden fees that you may not | | | | wrong babysitter agency. The wrong agency will not |
| know about. Always ask an agency for the complete | | | | just be a waste of your money. It can also endanger |
| breakdown and total of costs, including possible sitter | | | | your kids and your home by giving you a sitter who is |
| replacement fees. | | | | either incapable or dangerous. |