Letter to the Editor, Times Union, Albany, New York
While it is becoming more and more the norm to turn to the internet to find and purchase everyday items and even for more complex things such as “the perfect mate”, it is doubtful that it will ever be a safe place to find a qualified, screened sitter for your children.
Online babysitting services are doing families a disservice by providing sitters who have not had their qualifications verified or background checks conducted. Sure, the sites suggest that parents check the sitters’ background. But, that’s an additional fee on top of what they’re already paying in membership and monthly fees. And, who’s to say the caregiver the family screens is going to be available the next time they need care? Do busy parents realistically have the time to go through the proper steps to ensure the sitter they invite into their home to care for their children is exactly who they claim to be in their online profile? The Arizona Republic ran an article last month about a family who hired a sitter through an online service who claimed to have had 10 years experience, CPR knowledge, and numerous references. This “experienced” and “qualified” sitter ended up being arrested on suspicion of molesting their 3 year old child.
Busy families need help when it comes to finding a caregiver for their children and there are safer, more effective, and still affordable solutions besides turning to the internet. Referrals from friends or relatives have always been a reliable way to find quality sitters. But for those families who do not have this as an option, there are also professional childcare referral agencies who are devoted to providing fully screened and qualified sitters. For a cost similar to the online sitter services, which includes the membership fee, monthly fee, and placement fees and can range from $15 - $40 per search, families can work with a local nanny agency (in the Capital District Area there’s A New England Nanny) and receive personalized attention as well as the added benefit of sitter background screening.
Parents who use agency services have peace of mind knowing that the sitters who care for their children have (at a minimum) been pre-screened, interviewed, reference checked, and that their background checks have been professionally conducted. When it comes to childcare, parents will find these basic assurances to be priceless and not available on the internet.
