A little (well, big) rant...look after your babysitters!!!! Post Reply

[twice_as_nice]

PS, well said cupoftea!!!!!!

[2009Kat]

I have to say I had no idea that people didn't always offer babysitters transport home! I thought it was just what was done. My work will pay for me to get a taxi home if I work late past 10pm (ie way outside my normal working hours) so I just offer the same to babysitters or I drive them home.

[livegreen]

I am surprised that anyone would not provide transport home for their babysitters.
We will often arrive home by taxi and after dropping us home it takes the babysitter home. Simple and safe.

As a student I worked in bars and a nightclub, a taxi was always provided to take staff home at end of the night - a practical and safety issue as transport is generally poor after 11pm.

[Honeymummy]

I agree it's about caring. It doesn't matter whether you're 15 or 25, it's unsafe to walk home at night. Perhaps agencies rely too much on parents' common sense (and on making money...), they should really look into this.

[moops]

Exactly MM!

[dancing_queen59]

I use Sitters and they do not expect you to provide transport for babysitters.

I have in the past run the odd babysitter home if it has been very late but I don't think we should be expected to do this unless it is stated beforehand. Most of the babysitters I have, have the own transport anyway.

I used to work in television finishing at 4am and no body organised me transport home!

[juliantenniscoach]

100% with cupoftea on this. I don't drink so always offer to drive the sitter home. as cupoftea said basic manners really.

[MrsAmanda]

have tried twice to reply and they've both vanished!

[JT84]

I do agree about making sure how babysitters will get home. I used to babysit myself and was always lucky people I babysat for offered me ride home or cab and as for paying for cab to someone who charges £6 or £9 you pay for experience and qualifications cheaper babysitters are usually younger and have less of experiences and the ones that charge more they have first aid are CRB checked have been childminding for years etc. But definitely it`s good to sort transport details with babysitters beforehand.

[JT84]

MrsAmanda try preview and then submit the message worked for me

[ordinarygirl09]

If I was asking a 15-year-old to babysit and paying them £5/£6 per hour then I would provide a taxi home, because they are still children themselves to be honest and I would feel responsible for their safety.

However, I wouldn't ask a 15-year-old to babysit and I only use sitters that organise their own transport home, it's nothing to do with bad manners, it's to do with them being professional and responsible for themselves and their own safety.

We pay £10 per hour for our sitter, she has her own car and she is more than comfortable to help herself from our fridge. If you are paying a sitter £9-£11 I really feel that the sitter should be organising their transport home.

[cupoftea]

Don't think it matters how old your sitter is. And it isn't exactly like any other job.

I wouldn't be able to sleep at night if I sent my sitter home to make her own way in the dark of night on a weekend evening. Half or most of her evenings wages would go on the taxi!

I think paying for a taxi home after 10 in the evening is the right thing to do, whether the sitter is 15 or 35.

It's a luxury as parents to be able to afford a night out, and we should care enough for the person looking after the kids. Even if they are just watching the television. Regardless of what they are being paid, it's not nice for anyone to have to feel nervous getting home late.

I am super nice to my sitters, always offer a nice meal, snacks and dvd. And definitely always a lift or taxi home.

[townieatheart]

At certain times most employers would pay for a cab home for you. Certainly mine would always pay for me to get home if I had been at a work function that went on after 10 pm. I would never have asked or expected them to pay if I'd just gone for a drink with colleagues but when it was to do with their company it was only right they should ensure I got home safely.

[Goldhawk]

This is why people have aupairs
£10 an hour plus food plus a taxi home!

[JT84]

Well said cupoftea and Mungomuffit it is watching tv and having tea but also responsibility for children's safety in case something goes wrong child is sick has fever etc it happens sometimes...