fairy godmother babysitters??

[fynook12]

Looking for some reviews/opinions on them? I will probably be needing to use them for our upcoming trip from Nov. 27-30th. My DD is 5, DS 3, and DS 17months. Unfourtuantly the kids clubs don't take any kids under age 4. And i know my daughter won't attend one alone w/o her brother! So, just looking for any advice/ reviews you may have on the fairy godmother babysitting service. Thanks!!

 

[jodifla]

I have used them a half-dozen times for DS, who is now 3. It's a small, family run company. I've had two sitters from them, and really liked them both. They've downsized the company some as the owners have gotten older, and the woman who schedules the sitters sounds a bit unfriendly, but we've been extremely happy with the service.

One sitter has sat for us about five times. She always brings a suitcase full of toys. Our son didn't even cry when we left, he was so busy with the toys! (and normally he's a crier...)

Do you have any specific questions? They have a four hour minimum, and a travel allowance, and we normally tip, too. It's not cheap, but it's so worth it for a night on the town!

 

[disneymom3]

We have used them and were thrilled. DH and I went to MVMCP by ourselves a few years ago and it was really great to have some time to ride all the "big kid" rides. The kids had a great time. We had Vera and they wanted to know where she was when they got up the next morning. Our kids didn't cry either and middle son is usually slow to warm up to people. We had her come an hour before we planned to leave and ended up leaving after about 20 min or so.

 

[fynook12]

Oh thank you soo much!! You just made me a very happy mom!! As we are going there for our planning session for our upcoming DFTW!!! It's going to be me and my FH and our 3 children and my mom and dad. I am so happy to be leaving them with the FG's! BTW, would you awesome people happen to have the prices?? Thanks!!

 

[TammyJ]

I have a question about booking a Fairy Godmother. When you book, do you have to set exact times or can you be open-ended? My husband and I are planning an evening out. We hope to make the most of it but realistically we know we just might be tired and want to go back after dinner. So, could I book a sitter say from 7pm and leave it open-ended or do I have to specifiy an ending time like 7pm until midnight.

Also (I guess I have 2 questions), any idea how far in advance you need to book?

 

[jodifla]

You can be open ended about the return time. I just give the sitter a ballpark time.

And I normally booked about a month or two in advance, although you can do it with less or more time.

 

[sweetpeakaris]

I'm glad to hear people are having a pleasant experience with the sitters. I must say that when I called twice to get childcare for my sister kids, I was really turned off by the lady who answered the phone, she did'nt answer in a nice professional way, sounded more like she was at home and I was disturbing her rest, and imo sounded more like Cinderella's evil stepmother than a Fairy Godmother! If that's the company's way of answering the phone, I'm sure they've turned alot of people away. We decided against using there service for this reason, the lady just sounded evil. Although I know she most likely was'nt one of the sitters, it was just a turn off. Glad to hear that people enjoy there service, good reviews may change our minds next time if my sister needs childcare.

 

[jodifla]

I'm glad to hear people are having a pleasant experience with the sitters. I must say that when I called twice to get childcare for my sister kids, I was really turned off by the lady who answered the phone, she did'nt answer in a nice professional way, sounded more like she was at home and I was disturbing her rest, and imo sounded more like Cinderella's evil stepmother than a Fairy Godmother! If that's the company's way of answering the phone, I'm sure they've turned alot of people away. We decided against using there service for this reason, the lady just sounded evil. Although I know she most likely was'nt one of the sitters, it was just a turn off. Glad to hear that people enjoy there service, good reviews may change our minds next time if my sister needs childcare.

Most likely, she was at home, it's a home run business. I find that if you keep talking with her, she softens up.

 

[disneymom3]

Yeah, the owner is an odd duck to say the least. She just doesn't sound professional at all, but her sitters are great!

As for leaving it open ended, you can but you do need to pay for a minimum # of hours whether you use them or not. I think it is 4 hours min, but it's been awhile. At that time--3 years ago--we paid $12 an hour for up to three kids and a $12 travel fee. An expensive night, but it was worth it.

 

[jaded]

Yeah, the owner is an odd duck to say the least. She just doesn't sound professional at all, but her sitters are great!

As for leaving it open ended, you can but you do need to pay for a minimum # of hours whether you use them or not. I think it is 4 hours min, but it's been awhile. At that time--3 years ago--we paid $12 an hour for up to three kids and a $12 travel fee. An expensive night, but it was worth it.

Hi, just wondering a (most likely stupid) question. is the $12 for travel a one time thing or is it per hour? thank you.

 

[momofbgtwins]

The $12 fee is a one time thing. We used them (had Vera) in September and it was great! We have 3 yr old twins who rarely have a babysitter, and they were fine! It is a 4 hour minimum, though.

 

[jaded]

thanks so much! I'll call tomorrow and ask for Vera.

 

[jaded]

I just got off the phone w/ the owner. I thought I had the wrong number, b/c she was so nice and everyone says she's gruff, lol. Anyway, she had really sad news about Vera. She said that Vera had an inoperable brain tumor and doesn't have much longer left and that she just recently talked to Vera's daughter (who also worked for her) and she's not doing well at all. How sad.

 

[Rapunsel]

I've never met Vera but have heard so much about her.. How sad!! I am sending Pixie Dust her way.. Thank you for the information...


RApunsel

 

[Eric Julie and Hailey]

Oh...how very sad. We also used and liked Vera -- so did friends of ours.
It may be nice to take on a collection to send her a Disney something -- like a Pooh get well bear, or something. She made such a positive difference in so many people's vacations.

Any thoughts?