| FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS |
 |
| 1.How much advanced notice do you need to make a request for a Sitter? |
| 2.What happens when I book? |
| 3.Do I have to attend the Sitter Meet & Greet? |
| 4.Will I get the same Sitter each time? |
| 5.What standards do we apply to the Sitters taken on? |
| 6.What type of training does a Sitter undertake? |
| 7.Do we interview all the Sitters ourselves? |
| 8.How do we check references? |
| 9.Do we take on all the babysitting applicants we see? |
| 10.Can we see the Sitter beforehand? |
| 11.How much notice do we require? |
| 12.How late will the Sitter stay? |
| 13.Are there a maximum number of children? |
| 14.Are the Sitters experienced with small babies? |
| 15.Can the Sitter stay overnight? |
| 16.Can Sitters travel with families? |
| 17.Can you provide a Sitter for a child with special needs? |
| 18.Why are the rates for weekends, Christmas and New Year’s Eve higher? |
| 19.Can you also supply nannies, part time nannies and au pairs? |
|
|
| 1. How much advanced notice do you need to make a request for a Sitter? |
|
Complete the Family Application. For your convenience, we accept PayPal for your membership dues. If attending a Meet & Greet please fill out your
application in advance and turn it in at the registration table along with membership dues.
|
| 2. What happens when I book? |
|
You select one of our registered Sitters who will contact you by 7 pm the day before the reservation to introduce herself and
go over the arrival/departure system, this is the time to give her any relevant information about the children's bedtimes/naptimes, meal times,
and any special words for going to the bathroom, favorite toys etc. (this is to ensure a smooth transition from parent to Sitter). Contact us
if the Sitter has not confirmed by the specified time or arrived 15 min before the schedule reservation.
|
| 3. Do I have to attend the Sitter Meet & Greet? |
|
No, but we encourage you to come so you can get to know as many Sitters as possible. At the Meet & Greets you will find out
which Sitters schedules will best fit the needs of your family.
|
| 4. Will I get the same Sitter each time? |
|
You can check the availability of your chosen Sitters. We encourage families to attend the Meet & Greets to get to know and become
comfortable with as many Sitters as you would like. We will also provide resumes upon request.
|
| 5. What standards do we apply to the Sitters taken on? |
As you would expect - only the highest!
Our sitters are mostly college students, nannies, or older women working in their spare time and days off. Older Sitters and male Sitters are usually
available on request. In all cases the minimum age is 18.
All our sitters are either currently working or have recently worked in childcare.
|
|
All must produce at least two childcare references and be certified in CPR & First Aid. They will only be selected after intensive screening and a
personal interview. Only those who display the correct manner and attitude are selected for the next stage.
|
| 6. What type of training does a Sitter undertake? |
|
All Ella’s Silver Spoon Sitters must be certified in CPR and First Aid.
|
|
All Sitters complete our Training & Orientation seminar which will provide them with tips on Childcare and activities, so
that you and your children can expect the same level of service, attentiveness and care from all of our Sitters.
|
| 7. Do we interview all the Sitters ourselves? |
Yes - all our Sitters are interviewed by our management team, here in our Overland Park offices.
We never franchise or sub-contract the interviews of our Sitters to a third party.
|
| 8. How do we check references? |
|
We always check a minimum of two references. This is always a two- stage process – a written reference followed by a verbal check.
The process is always fully complete before any Sitter is sent to a family and is only started after a successful interview. We also do sex offender
checks as well as State and criminal background records.
|
| 9. Do we take on all the babysitting applicants we see? |
|
No - That’s how thorough we are! (Even though our screening process ensures that most of the people who come to see us are potentially suitable.)
If we cannot contact their references we do not proceed with their application. Our stringent screening process ensures unsuitable or inexperienced candidates are
rejected in the early stages of selection.
|
| 10. Can we see the Sitter beforehand? |
|
Yes, this can be arranged. But we encourage all families to join us for our Sitter Meet & Greets. At that time you can take
Sitters aside and find out more about the and there availability.
|
| 11. How much notice do we require? |
|
Sometimes we can book a Sitter for you at very short notice(less than 24 hours). However, longer notice may be required at our peak times –
especially for Weekends and Holidays.
|
| 12. How late will the Sitter stay? |
|
Sitters will stay as late as you like.
|
| 13. Are there a maximum number of children? |
|
Yes- Babysitting Ratios are 1:2 for infants and toddlers, 1:4 for children over 3
|
| 14. Are the Sitters experienced with small babies? |
|
Yes - most have infant care experience. However some of our Sitters do not have baby experience. For this reason we always recheck t
he ages of the children when you book. This is a double check. Even though we have the information in our records, we want to make sure we send out
someone with appropriate experience.
|
| 15. Can the Sitter stay overnight? |
|
Yes- (contact us for rates)
|
| 16. Can Sitters travel with families? |
|
Yes-(contact us for rates)
|
| 17. Can you provide a Sitter for a child with special needs? |
|
Yes – provided no specialist training is required.
|
| 18. Why are the rates for weekends, Christmas and New Year’s Eve higher? |
|
Our rates are simply a question of supply and demand. Weekends, and Holidays, are our busiest nights of the year.
|
| 19. Can you also supply nannies, part time nannies and au pairs? |
|
Yes, we encourage families seeking over 30 hours a week to request a Nanny, to ensure continuity.
|
