Baby(Child) Sitting Service/CBR

[CountryDuck]

Just wondering if anyone has used a Baby Sitting Service at WDW?
It would be nice to be able to enjoy the an evening out after the kids were fast asleep, even if it is only for a stroll around the property at CBR!
As it is now, the only ones that have ever looked after our children (6&8) is their Grandparents and other family members!

Any thoughts?

 

[ducklite]

There are a couple of options. Either have someone come to the room, or take the kids to one of the group childcare places.

At CBR there is no group childcare. In room care is more expensive (I've used Kindercare but also heard nothing but praise for Fairy Godmothers), but the bonus is taht the kids are in bed when you get back.

My son always LOVED the kids clubs, especially Neverland at the Polynesian.

There are minimum charges at most places, so keep that in mind.

Anne

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

Hi CountryDuck,

Yes I've used both Kindercare and Fairy Godmothers. Used FG just last April when we stayed at CBR. Kindercare changed hands recently and now I believe is called "Kids Night Out". I think if you do a search on this board and also the family one you'd get some info. I've always been pleased with Kindercare although now I believe it's a little more expensive than Fairy Godmothers. FG was good too, the only gripe I had is that I was expecting the same babysitter the 2nd night and they substituted someone without letting me know. She was actually great but I would've appreciated a call to advise me. Instead she bought a note of introduction with her. I try to research sitters in advance so I can request someone I've heard of - so that wasn't quite what I wanted.

Anyway, I've been told that most of the sitters at Kindercare stayed with Kids Night Out. Unfortunately the one we used isn't with them anymore so can't give you a reference there. With FG the sitter's name that I had a reference for is escaping me at the moment, but she's English, probably in her 50's, grandmotherly, and was quite lovely with the kids. The second FG sitter was Andrea, she's in her 20's I'd say and more high energy, very pleasant. She brought coloring stuff with her and my kids were right on that, they were all in the floor coloring when we left.

The next morning I asked my DS (5 yrs) which sitter he liked best and he said "I love them both the same". He was very happy and had a great time with both.

Hope this helps you. Have fun

 

[CountryDuck]

LadyTrampScamp&Angel

Thanks for the info!

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

You're welcome.

As ducklite said - for your kids one of the deluxe resort's kid club places is an option but I think they have a four hour maximum on how long you can leave the kids - anyone know for sure? Although it seems we always get back in about 4 hours when we've used the in room care (that's their min, you have to pay whether you use it or not).

My DD is too young so I haven't been able to use one of those places yet. Plan to when she gets older.

Good luck.

 

[juliesue]

We've used the Neverland Club at Poly once and the Sandcastle Club at YC three times. Our kids absolutely love it and ask to go back every trip. It's a lot like their daycare and I think they enjoy a couple of hours to play with toys and video games. I like the group atmosphere and my kids always find someone to play with.


The kids didn't miss us at all and were ticked at us for showing up when we did. My DD (5 yrs old) LOVED the video games and action figures. My DS (8 yrs old) LOVED doing crafts and puzzles with the CMs.

There is a minimum charge, but they feed the children also. There is a four hour time limit, but we can't get going the next morning if we are out too late anyway. Last time, DH and I went to the Poly for a drink before dinner, California Grill at CR for dinner. and watched Illuminations together before picking up the kids. (Just getting around on this itinerary was half the fun!)

As you can tell, I would highly recommend this to anyone!

 

[CountryDuck]

It sounds like everyone felt safe leaving their children and most of all the kids had fun!

 

[AnnaE4]

We used Fairy Godmothers this past March. The woman's name was Vera Kennedy and she was great. Our DD didn't even notice that we had left the room! I think Vera is the woman that LadyTrampScamp&Angel was describing. We are asking for her again this Novemeber.

Denise

 

[CountryDuck]

How can you get in touch with Fairy Godmothers and how much notice do they require?

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

Thank you AnnaE4 and "Hi"! Yes, it was Vera - a lovely woman. I don't know why I was drawing a blank on her name. She was very good with the kids. We actually sat and talked with her for a while - my DH used to live in England and she knew the town so they talked about that too. She had told me she'd sit the next night too but perhaps she wasn't feeling well or something, Andrea didn't go into that.

I always schedule the sitters for at least 1/2 hour or so before we actually need to leave so I can do a little interview with them and the kids can get comfortable (the kids took to both sitters so that wasn't a problem). If I ever felt uncomfortable with the sitter that came I'd just pay them and cancel.

The phone no I think is (407) 969-9847 and toll free 877-611-4314. I have two kids so I think it was about $13-14/hour? Sorry, that's ballpark, don't remember the exact amount. And there is a minimum charge equal to about 4 hours. Both companies work in a transportation fee also I believe but if you call they'll give you all the details. And then we tipped both sitters so it's expensive - but very nice to do some adult things once or twice a trip.

Have fun