Anyone ever use the babysitting services?

[swilphil]

....Both them and Fairy Godmothers go through the same criminal background checking, finger printing etc but we chose KNO because they are the Disney preferred service and they have to go through Disneys employee training called "Traditions".

dtsaos--I have done a great deal of research on Kids Night Out and Fairy Godmothers and feel comfortable with using sitters from either company. It's just like doing research on a school or a daycare. They change employees all the time. My husband and I have tickets to an Elton John concert while we are at Disney World. Would you suggest we take the kids with us?

According to statistics, the vast majority of the people out there who harm children aren't complete strangers. They are relatives or friends of the family. Have you personally done a background check on everybody that your child is around?

I totally support your decison not to leave your children with a sitter in your hotel room. That is your right as a parent. No one was asking you to understand why we choose to leave our children with sitters. If we need some advice from the "mommy police," we'll give you a call.

 

[Madi100]

And by the way, you can research schools and daycares for weeks, months or even years before you send your kids there if you so desired. You can't exactly do much research on someone that just gets sent by some company that day. Big difference.

Yes, you can research a school. You can find out information about the teachers, etc. But, most of us send our children to public school. Not a lot of choice for teachers. I have no say in who my daughter's teacher was for this year. In fact, had I known it would be the teacher she got, I would have found the closest stranger and BEGGED them to take care of her instead. Until recently, I was pretty much around my children 24/7. Since moving we have decided to make it a goal to spend more time with just my DH and myself. You can't believe how much happier I am in life.

I plan character meals, stand in line for Dumbo, stand in line for pictures and autographs with the characters, and I eat burgers when I'd rather sit at a nice restaurant and enjoy a peaceful meal. But, I do these things for my kids. I have to have faith that the people hiring these sitters do a thorough background check like they say. The chances of something happening are sooo slim. But, the chance for my children to see that my relationship with my DH is important, too, is priceless.

 

[stahshee]

Who are these people we leave our children with. Dose disney have some sort of back ground check on them.

 

[dtsaos]

Madi100,
I totally see your point and I think that if you feel comfortable with the Disney sitters that's your decision. I agree that time with your significant other is VERY important to you, your spouse and your children. I didn't mean to come off as someone trying to tell other people what to do. Hope all of you enjoy your trip!

 

[stahshee]

I was looking into the baby sitting. I just wanted to know what background these people are from. I am a certified state child care provider.

 

[DissyLove]

We used Kids Night out on a recent visit. we had a great experience. The kids love new sitters, and she brought age appropriate games, they visited the playground at our hotel, and asked all the important questions before we left.

The kids had a great time-they played games, did crafts, and just relaxed. I would recommend them again to anyone. Our caregiver was named Diana Perry and she was great. PM me if you would like more info on my experience.

It was nice (and rare) for my husband and I to experience a few hours to ourselves.

 

[grlpwrd]

Don't take this wrong but I just don't get how anyone can leave their kids with a stranger. I don't care how much training they've had and how much certification etc. The bottom line is that they are a stranger and you don't really know anything about them personally. Please explain to me how in this day and age parents can just leave their kids with a STRANGER? I can't help it, I've got to say this, ...are you that desperate for a night out that you're willing to take the risk that everything will be alright? It probably will be, but what about the slim chance that some psycho/weirdo is watching your kid? Sorry, but I just don't understand. I've got three little ones at home and me and DH barely get enough "out" time, but you couldn't pay us enough money to leave them with someone we didn't know very well.

The reputable, long-established companies that offer this service are professional. Their reputation and business are at stake and they are licensed, bonded, insured, plus their sitters are screened and get background checks. These precautions are more than adequate for me and many others.

There is Kindercare, www.kidsniteout.com, www.all-about-kids.com, and Fairy Godmothers.

 

[SnowBound]

The best "research" one can do before traveling is to obtain referrals and recommendations from others, as this board and others like it so proficiently provide.

If a service is good and reputable, the good people on these boards are happy to share their great experiences with them. Likewise for any bad service.

The original poster was attempting to gain such information, but as always, 'preachers' obstruct the goal with unnecessary ramblings.

 

[stahshee]

Whats your problem? I just want my child to be safe. I just wanted to know if the baby sitters come from a sevice. There are a lot of perverts in this world that like children. I just want to keep my baby's safe. I was instrested in the program and I just wanted to know what qualifactions they had.

 

[Bethany]

My dh and I are going to WDW in Sept. with our 2 kids (dd will be 4.5 and ds will be 2.5) for the first time. Our 5 year wedding anniversary is also in Sept so we will be celebrating that (by the way we never had a honeymoon) by going to see Cirque du Soliel and having a "grown up" dinner. I would normally NEVER leave my kids with a "stranger". But this is a special circumstance. How else could we celebrate our 5 yr anniversary? Dh originally suggested leaving the kids with grandparents for a long weekend while we went to Vegas. Ummmm, no. I CAN NOT leave my "babies" for that long. So, I suggested all 4 of us go to WDW with ONE night out for dh and myself.

I really like the sound of Fairy Godmothers. Is there any way you can specify what kind of sitter you prefer? For example, I think I'd prefer an older, motherly type....even though I'm only 23 (almost 24) but I know not all 23 yr olds are as mature as myself (not to toot my own horn). Are all of the Fairy Godmothers actually mothers or grandmothers or can "just anyone" be a Fairy Godmother?

What about seperation anxiety? Dd will have no problem, but ds is VERY attatched to us. I'm sure the bag of toys will help. How long before you leave does the F.G. arrive? Does she pretty much come in and then you walk out, or is their a "getting used to her" period of a few minutes?

I am so torn on this issue. Even considered brining grandma for our whole week vacation, but it's not possible as she works.

TIA

 

[SnowBound]

Whats your problem? I just want my child to be safe. I just wanted to know if the baby sitters come from a sevice. There are a lot of perverts in this world that like children. I just want to keep my baby's safe. I was instrested in the program and I just wanted to know what qualifactions they had.

stahshee, are you talking to me??? Because I am on your side.

I was referring to the people that get on a thread like this and tell you it's wrong to even think about leaving your child with a service. I know you are trying to get information on these services, not be judged.

 

[momdoc]

I used Fairy Godmothers after they were recommended by a good friend. A very nice, well groomed woman named Connie came and she even brought games and coloring books with her. I felt very comfortable leaving my 2 children with her. She was great and I would definetly use her again. If you call their main number, you will speak with the owner who can answer any questions you may have.

 

[Steph H]

Thank you to the original poster, I have been wondering about this myself. At first I was absolutely against it because of my fears about leaving my child with a stranger, but my s-i-l has used them with great results.

I appreciate all the comments, and have noticed that I haven't heard a negative comment yet (hopefully there are any!). Thanks for the links, and I will probably be PMing a few of you that mentioned you would welcome them.

 

[KerriL]

Ironic that the recent case of child abuse in a room at Disney was perpetrated most likely by a family member not a childcare worker from an established nanny/childcare service. Does anybody do background checks on extended family members? I think not. Fairy Godmothers has been in business for over 30 years, since the opening of the Magic Kingdom. And run by the same wonderful lady, Gertrude. Each nanny is screened and a background check is done.
I have recommended these services for years and will be using Fairy Godmothers for a Mother's helper on the day of our vow renewal for our 3 1/2 year old.
Kerri

 

[jodifla]

We've used Fairy Godmothers several times for our 3-year-old. To those who lament about leaving your child with a stranger, let me point out: The person is only really a "stranger" the first time. We tend to use the same sitter each time if she is available, and therefore she and my son already have a bond since we go to WDW a couple of times a year.

Fairy Godmothers is a small, personally run company that's been around for since the opening of MK. The owner there does it all the old-fashioned way, no web site. Most of the women who work there are older. I think there is one daughter of a FG who works there who is younger.

For new people thinking of trying out the service: Have them come early, so you can spend some time building up a comfort level with them. We spend up to 45 minutes, on our dime, with new sitters, so we feel OK before we head out the door. And in an age of cell phones, you can always call to check on them. The first time we used FG, we had dinner in the hotel we were staying at, so that made it easy to check on them.

I would also point out that if someone had a really bad experience, it would be all over these boards.

 

[fam4jc]

We have never used FG, but are planning on using them twice on our trip inn Dec 05. My dh is a cop and we will stay and get a "feel" for the babysitter first - just like at home.

This is our anniversary trip and we are going to go to PI for dancing (only third time to dance together in 10 years of marriage) and for us to do the dolphin in depth at Epcot. (both our girls are to young to participate).

I am grateful for these services.

 

[ZachnElli]

We used Fairy Godmothers in July 2001 when dd was 2.5 and ds was 6. We had Vera and she was great! Brought her bag of toys as well as videos. We were staying at the Holiday Inn Family Suites (so we had vcr's) and she took them to the big sand box they have there. The kids had a great time and dd was calling Vera her "other" grandma the next morning! Vera was knitting, I believe, when we came back to the room that night. If we plan another night out, we'll use them again (baby #3 due 2/27).

 

[Tricialiv]

We used Kids Nite Out in 07/04. Made ressies ahead of time. They are insured with background checks on employees. I was apprehensive but wanted a few hours away. DD was almost 3. Babysitter brought a box of toys. DD was asleep when she came and was asleep when we left. We received a very extensive report on what she did and ate when she was up for about an hour. We were very satisfied. Tricia

 

[mrs.greevy]

I understand not wanting to leave your child with a "stranger" the first time that I went to Disney with a child I would not leave my baby well because she was a baby (3 months old)

the second time I went with children I used FG my DD's were 2 and 1 and the adults had an amazing time without our children. It was seriously one of the top 5 moments of our 2 week trip. Do I feel guilty? no because we spent every other second with our children, and the adults needed time to play as well.

My brothers also used FG and they were extremly please with their service (we had 3 FG that night)

They brought games and books and videos plus I had a "special" toy that I saved just for that night so DD would be excited to use them. Also my DD was very shy and never wanted to leave my side, she went right to these ladies and had a great time. I can not speak enough good things.

also

My 2 year old is very verbal and would have no problems telling me what if anything went wrong. I got good advice from a friend, when leaving your child with someone you don't know make sure that your kids are old enough to be able to tell you if something happened.

we will be using them again, however this time I will have three young children ages 4, 3 and 1 :lol: