Childcare

Parents seeking a sitter for a night out, a last-minute replacement, or a sitter for ongoing childcare may find the right person through BabySitters.com, a website that provides detailed babysitter profiles. Parents who sign up for the service can search for a sitter and/or post a job for a sitter.

The website also offers a "how-to" series for both parents and sitters. For parents, the series covers everything from doing a background check to how much a sitter should be paid. For sitters, the series covers topics that include certifications, training, how much to charge, how to interview, and a checklist for working with a new family.

This agency supplies babysitters with a four-hour minimum. Sitters have had criminal background checks and are trained in first aid.

Serving Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, downtown Miami, Key Biscayne and, in Broward County, Hollywood and Hallandale.

The agency is licensed and bonded.

4sitters.com is an online resource for babysitters, nannies, pet sitting providers, tutors, home daycare providers, and house sitters, anywhere in the world.

The site offers search tools; a sitter rating system; a sitter job posting and messaging service; and the ability to review the resumes of babysitters, nannies, home daycare centers, house sitters, and pet sitting providers before purchasing a membership.

The network extends to every state in the US and is available anywhere in the world.

Prospective members can register and evaluate the service for free. Follow the instructions on the website, and then verify that there are sitters in the area and review a sitter's experience and background before purchasing a membership. Resumes may include availability, pay rate, preferred age group, a photo, and references.

Membership is $6.99 a month, with a one-time setup fee of $34.99. The membership is auto-renewed for $6.99
every month thereafter; members can cancel at any time. Or purchase a lifetime, transferable membership for a one-time fee of $149.99. When you no longer need the service, your are free to transfer, sell, or give away your membership to whom ever you choose.

Wellington Nannies is a licensed full service nanny and babysitting agency providing families with pre-screened, qualified nannies. All nannies are required to know CPR and must have at least six references - three of them childcare-related - and all are checked by a licensed detective.

Services available include live-in/live-out, long-term/short-term, part-time/full-time, summer nannies, afterschool nannies, a babysitting service, housekeepers, personal assistants, and husehold mnagers.

Nannies ‘N More provides search and placement of nannies or housekeepers. Live-in or live-out options are available, as are full and part time. Candidates' references and backgrounds are thoroughly screened.

Placement services cost $495, with $100 initial (part-time); or $885, with $200 initial (full-time). Placement comes with a 6 month guarantee (no further fees for replacement).

Costs for nannies or housekeepers vary with hours worked and whether they are living in or out of your home. Typical cost for a full time live-in nanny is $350 per week.

Placements for Dade, Broward, or Palm Beach counties.

Nannies ‘N More provides search and placement of nannies or housekeepers. Live-in or live-out options are available, as are full and part time. Candidates' references and backgrounds are thoroughly screened.

Placement services cost $495, with $100 initial (part-time); or $885, with $200 initial (full-time). Placement comes with a 6 month guarantee (no further fees for replacement).

Costs for nannies or housekeepers vary with hours worked and whether they are living in or out of your home. Typical cost for a full time live-in nanny is $350 per week.

Placements for Dade, Broward, or Palm Beach counties.

This parent-owned online directory of childcare options includes in-home providers, nannies, childcare centers, and babysitters, serving infants through school-age children. The website also offers links to helpful articles on parenting, state oversight agencies, and more.

The database is searchable by zip code, children's ages, and type of care required. Results include contact information; a description of the services offered; the staff, philosophy, licensing, and facilities of the provider; and hours of operation. Helpful icons beside search matches indicate which providers offer drop-in services and off-hours care; some listings include photos.

A very minimal amount of information can be gathered from a free search of the site - name of daycare, how many children of various ages are cared for by the provider, address, and phone number. To get additional information - hours of operation, website address, photos, etc. - parents must subscribe.

A note of caution: Listed providers are not screened, so while the site is a great starting point in a search for childcare, it's imperative that parents check out claims regarding licensing, staff, and facilities.