Which babysitting service have you used?

[quiltymom]

We are thinking of hiring a babysitting service to watch the kids one night. Which service have you used, and would you use them again?

 

[write2caro]

http://www.kidsniteout.com/

Love them - used them many times on 2 trips - will use them again next time! Many DISers seem to have had similar experiences from what I've read in other threads.

 

[quiltymom]

How much do you usually tip them (2 kids, 7 & 9)?

 

[write2caro]

Hmmm... if I remember correctly for one child we tipped $10. I look at it like a certain percentage - it was around 15% or so. I remember looking up tipping guidelines and seeing stuff ike 0% - 15%, higher after midnight. I tend to be a generous tipper... feel bad if I don't, and we were just SO THRILLED to have a night out to ourselves for the first time in 15 months (my son was 15mos old!), that the tip seemed like nothing in context.

 

[Yensid_MD]

We have used Fairy Godmothers on multiple occasions and highly recommend them. We love Vivian and try to request her. She brings age appropriate toys and is truly a Fairy Godmother for us as we can go out and leave our four kids safely.

 

[terlane97]

What is the phone number for the Fairy Godmothers babysitting service?

 

[write2caro]

I've never used FG, but I just spoke with someone from there, the number was (407) 969-9847 and toll free 877-611-4314

Basically same rates as Kids Nite Out, who also brings age-appropriate toys for the kids, etc. I'm sticking with KNO - love 'em.

One thing to note: FG just told me you can book them up to 1 week in advance, while you can book KNO 3 months in advance. I love having my plans together as soon as possible (that's me!), so I like that about KNO, too.

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

We haven't used Kids Nite Out, but we have used Fairy Godmothers over and over, as well as using the kids clubs at the various resorts (even when we weren't staying there or on property). I have nothing but good things to say about FG. Prompt, professional and always brought lots of games and were totally into interacting with the kids...not just sitting there. FG even took the kids out to breakfast at the GF cafe and to the arcade (of course we paid for it) when we had a morning engagement to attend at WDW.

I was a bit leery of babysitting services in general (I was never the type to leave my kids with anyone but family). However, we had heard so many good things about FG that we decided we would try them. We figured that our kids were definitely old enough to tell us if there were problems or if the sitter was a dud. Never a problem...our worries were for nothing! We are glad we gave them a try and enjoyed using them for years-up until this past October. Now dd13 and ds15 are too old and are going to be trusted on their own for a few hours, but I would recommend FG to anyone! Many times the kids wanted the sitter to stay after we got back!