Have you used any of these babysitting services...

[RamseyTrio]

Hi - Just wanted to see who has used any of these babysitting services -

1.Kids Nite Out
2.All About Kids
3.Fairy Godmothers

What did you think of them, reliable, mature, safe??? How far in advance do you need to call?

We're vacationing with another family so it'd be 4 boys ages 8,7,5 & 2.5 that we're thinking of using one for.

Any and all feedback appreciated

THANKS!

 

[RamseyTrio]

Just bumping this up...anyone???

 

[HitchhikingGhost]

I cannot speak from first hand experience, but I will summarize what I have read on these boards:

Have not heard of number 1.
Stay away from number 2.
Have heard good things about number 3.

Hope this helps.

 

[Montana Disney Fan]

I would also like more info about the Fairy Godmothers. They come to your room, right? How much? How long? When do you book them? Can you request the same one each night?

 

[jodifla]

I've used Fairy Godmothers a couple of times and been quite happy with them. It's an informal kind of company, run by a woman with a cell phone and schedule planner, basically. You can call several months in advance. She has you call when you arrive at your resort to confirm and give her your room number. The women who work for her all seem to have been with her quite a while.

It's $12 an hour, four hour minimum, plus a $12 travel charge. We also normally tip. Both women came early, and with toys for our DS, 1 at the time.

Kids Nite Out is the Disney sanctioned company. I have read one report on these boards that was quite favorable, but most people seemed to go with Fairy Godmothers, so I went with them.

 

[BuzzLightYear3]

We used Fairy Godmothers as well.....last June when our kids were 10, 6, and 3 (almost 4). It was a good experience.

Unfortunately, I can't remember the name of the sitter. I think at that time everybody was recommending that we request Vera (or something like that); I did request her, but they said she was out of town on vacation.

Our sitter was probably in her 50s or 60s. She seemed nice. She came equipped with a suitcase of toys and gave the kids little prizes for being good. They seemed happy, but it was definitely a different experience for them than having a teenage babysitter at home. They treat the teenagers like an older playmate....playing games, etc. all evening. The Fairy Godmother sitter was definitely more of a Grandmother....e.g., she was friendly, but I think she pretty much read her magazine and gave them prizes. The next day, my DD reitererated the long list of rules about the prize selection--e.g., can have two small prizes and 1 big or 3 small or..... Sounds like the kids might have spent an hour pouring over which 'prizes' to pick from the selection.

The important thing was that I was very comfortable that they were safe, well cared for, etc. I would have been more thrilled if I'd had a sense that there was more interaction/entertainment.

We'll probably try it again and hope for a different sitter. I'm thinking I'll check into Kids Nite Out and give them a try as well. I'd be interested in any other experiences people have to share.

 

[dzneprincess]

I just wanted to add my positive experience with Fairy Godmothers. Based on recommendations from this board, I used them roughly 2 years ago. No problems whatsoever.