Kids Nite Out Questions

[Linnie The Pooh]

How many of you have used the baby-sitting service Kids Nite Out? I have two kids ages 5 and 3 and I would like to take my husband out a couple of nights when in WDW but I want to make sure I leave them in good care.

How were they?

How late will they sit?

What are the rates?

Any other info?

Also, does anyone know about background checks with this service (FBI, etc...)? One cannot be too careful when leaving one's precious babies with a complete and total stranger.

Thanks,

MDF

 

[Selket]

I called KNO yesterday to ask some questions and they told me they would send someone to sit as late as I needed them (we were thinking of having someone there while we did eride night). If the sitter arrives after 9:30 p.m. there is a $2 surcharge per hour. Their regular rates are $14 an hour and so sitters arriving after 9:30 are $16 an hour. There is a 4 hour minimum and an $8 transportation fee. So if the sitter arrives at 9pm and stays until midnight, for example, it is $14 an hour.

There is info on this website at http://www.wdwinfo.com/just_for_kids/childcare.htm including their 800 number. They also told me there is a 24 cancellation policy.

I've read here that they do all the background checks and such but you can always give them a call and ask directly. I"m sure they're used to dealing with that issue. I have not read anything negative about them on these boards or elsewhere. I used Fairy Godmothers last trip with mixed results and would probably try KNO this time if we do it (but likely we'll not have babysitting this trip).

 

[Linnie The Pooh]

Thanks for the help! We are so excited to get down there, but I'm nervous about having strangers watch our kids. I'm sure my kids would be fine with it, but it's nerve wracking when you think of all the nuts out there.

 

[DisFam95]

We used them for our 17mo old. They are the Disney 'preferred' service. Employees do go through Disney training programs for service standards etc. They do have criminal background checks as well. We were very pleased with the woman we had (can't think of her name right now..Eva Gonzalez maybe) She arrived a few minutes early and sat down with us to review his routine and get to know him. He was a little shy but she had a bag full of age appropriate toys. He warmed up to her and we said goodbye and she distracted him as we left motioning with her hands. I stood outside the door for a few minutes and could hear them playing.


He would not sleep in his crib and had been going to sleep with us when we did in the 1bdrm studion. So we assumed he would not go to sleep until we got back but I laid out a blanket for her just in case. We got in around 11:30 and he was asleep on the little pallet she made and she was sitting on the couch reading her book and said he went to bed around 8:30...we asked if she could come everynight!!!

Would highly recommend them!!

 

[Selket]

Also your kids are a bit older which is nice. Perhaps schedule a time or two (depending on how long you are out) to call and check on them and talk to them on the phone. Or have the sitter call you if that is easier.

The most important thing is to feel comfortable with the sitter they send. Ask for a "grandma" type if you prefer that (I think that is generally what you get unless you want someone to go with you to the parks!). Schedule the sitter to arrive a bit early so that you can talk to them a bit and so forth.

 

[Montana Disney Fan]

Those are good posts with good tips. I'm sure you've helped put my wife's mind at ease a little.

MDF (hubby of LTP)