A.S.
Hi Moms.
I really got burned by using SitterCity. It is good for information, but many of the sitters exaggerate their credentials and experience. It truly is "buyer beware" and I figured I did NOT want to do that when it comes to watching my children. The last incident that happened was that we hired a sitter (stopped our search, she met the kids, the whole thing)and then she took another job closer to her home. When I commented to warn the other mothers, she slandered me on my profile. I contacted SC several times, but they did not remove her comments until I filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. All mothers that I know are tired already--that is why we are looking for help. With SC, you must do all of the background checks and verify what the sitters are saying. I'm sure there are some really good sitters there. However, even if I were a sitter, I would want the protection of a placement agency also. They don't know any more about the families than we know about them. Who needs the stress?
I had heard of Midwest Nannies for years. They have a very good reputation. We love our nanny from there. The counselors are former nannies and they really care about making good placements. Check them out. You can get temp., doulas, part-time permanent, full-time permanent. You also can get a sort of insurance policy if someone does not work out.
If you don't want to pay the nominal fee for them to begin a search for you, you can buy their booklets on how to hire/keep a nanny. I believe the prices to begin a search and to purchase the DIY info. are about the same. www.midwestnanny.com
Good luck, Everybody!
Amy