Holiday babysitting

elljay

Dear all, do you use a local babysitter when you're away on holiday? The reason that I ask is that I babysit for a few local families very successfully and have got to know them and all their lovely children really well. One of the families owns a couple of holiday cottage complexes, farm houses with converted barns type of thing, and suggested that I might like to offer babysitting services for their holiday guests. This seemed a great idea so I did my first one last night. I'd been a bit concerned as I would never normally do babysitting without visiting the family during the day and letting the kids get to see me first. However it's different on holiday.

The evening was fine, baby woke up, fed,changed and sang to him, the 3 yr old slept through. Nothing unusual. However a little bruise on baby's arm suddenly alerted me to all the problems that could occur. The bruise itself was nothing at all, but made me think what would I do if I babysat for a family and found marks that really concerned me, what if the family accused me of causing them or any other harm to their children, what if the people didn't really want a babysitter and I turned up to the house of a mad rapist abductor? (Ok that's a bit far fetched but after all, I would be going to the house of a stranger) Should I have insurance? But against what? I'd like to be CRB checked but you can't apply for that for yourself. It feels like there's a mountain of potential problems.

What I'm asking is what should I be concerned about and what can I do to minimise any problems. If you're on holiday, do you leave your children with a babysitter unknown to you? While obviously I'm recommended by the owners of the holiday cottages who know me really well and trust me completely with their children, dogs, possessions, I'm not sure I would've been happy leaving my children like this when they were little, we always took our children everywhere we went anyway but I can understand some people want to get out for a meal etc on their own.

I'd be really grateful for your thoughts, what seemed a great idea may be not be in the end. I also don't know what to charge, my regulars pay £7 an hour, bearing in mind I always have to travel, often up to 10 miles which is included in that amount.

Thanks

Liz

Paparika

babysitters don't need to be CRB checked, but asking one of the locals to do it for you and you give them the money...

bestpud

I guess it also depends on how your friend is advertising/describing the service you are offering?

Personally, I wouldn't leave my children with someone I did not know but I would have thought, if I was going to, I'd prefer to think you had been checked out (as far as CRBs can be said to offer protection) and maybe had first aid training.

Insurance would be good protection for you if anything did happen - and accidents do happen with children, as we all know.

Is it 'sold' as a friendly recommendation though, or as a business?

elljay

Thanks both for your comments. I thought I'd want to be CRB checked just to give parents some peace of mind, even though it isn't necessary, Though as I'm recommended by the cottage owners that should make them feel a bit more secure. I'm not really doing it as a business, just a bit of extra cash and although at first I'd only do it for my friend, who owns 6 holiday cottages, I suppose if it was popular I might offer it to some other holiday home owners. I wouldn't expect demand to be enormous but after these issues were raised in my mind after doing my first evening I want to be properly prepared.

First aid training is an excellent idea, I'll find out more about that.

Thanks to both of you again. lIZ

morg_monster

Being able to say "I'm CRB checked" is a bonus, but TBH, I would stick as things are for the moment - but as someone said, insurance for your own protection could be valuable if you can afford it.
I would say insurance is more important - IE if (god forbid) someone made an allegation against you, having a CRB won't make a blind bit of difference, but the insurance would help you with legal help etc. Yes there will be some parents who would be wary of leaving their kids with a stranger, but still a CRB might not make a difference - ie it might be the fact they don't know you and they are in a new place that puts them off, rather than that they think you might be dodgy! There will always be some parents who will be happy with you as you are, and unless you are seriously needing / relying on a good income from this (doesn't sound like it) then I wouldn't worry about the parents who would be put off.
However I think first aid training (just a couple of hours course), would be an excellent idea.

Savvy_Sue

Didn't St John Ambulance used to run a babysitting course? Worth a google ...

beccabee_2

Worth bearing in mind that a CRB check is only as good as the day it is done on and not cheap, I believe it's £36 at the moment. Personally I would be more likely to go on personal recommendation.

whitewing

There are babysitting agencies around. Possibly you could join one and that would cover insurance, CRB and anything else you may need.

My friend's daughter in law uses one if they go to a hotel for a family party. The children can go to bed when they're ready, and adults can be downstairs with a babysitter who will call down if the children wake up. They don't know the babysitter but the company was recommended and they have used it a number of times.

Peace of mind for you, the family and I expect they can still request you specifically.

Strapped

I agree with whitewing.

I've used babysitters when on holiday - was very nervous about it, but felt better using someone from an agency (and who had been CRB checked and had first aid qualifications). I also spoke to them on the phone beforehand, although it obviously wasn't possible to meet them in person.

LillyJ

I am a member of an agency, and have babysat once in a hotel for them in the 2 years I have been with them! It was in a hotel when the parents were at a wedding in the hotel grounds. So I do wonder how much work they actually get you.

elljay

Hmm, lots of good advice here, thanks to everyone. I think on reflection I'll just keep it low key and only babysit for my friend's guests. That way they can rely on her recommendation and I also have some security for myself knowing that my friend knows who they are too.

I'm definitely going to follow up the first aid course though, that's useful anyway.

Thanks to all for helping me think this through, things are never as straightforward as they seem are they!

Liz