[mpjp]

I need a regular babysitter...and haven't been able to source one through a referral. Ive used an agency in the last which was OK, expnsive but lady was lovely.

I'd like to get a regular local....has anyone used this site? Good stories? Disasters??

I suppose you do a trial and then go for it - do you interview several for one of semi regular sitting (like maybe once a month or so)?

[baddmammajamma]

We used F-A-B when we first moved here from Singapore and knew NO ONE! We found our lovely babysitter through the service. She is a local uni student, from a nice family in a neighboring community, has fabulous experience, appropriate safety training/credentials. She has been sitting for us for 4 years (!!!!) I don't think we would have found her otherwise.

My advice would be to go with someone local whose background and credentials are easily verified. Have them spend time with your kids (while you are home or nearby) as a "test run" to make sure it's a good match.

Good luck!

[mpjp]

Thanks BMJ. The trial run is a good idea....will do that. Plus I feel a bit bettere knowing I have a very responsible almost 11 year old who will talk to me about how comfortable they all are/ whether everything is ok. I'd love a local uni student, and there seem to be lots of them on the site.

[mollybot]

Brilliant ! Have used it twice & worth every cent. Our lovely babysitter came to us through FAB and we've had her for almost 3 years. The lovely lady before that we had for 6 months. Often you can find babysitters who have qualifications or are studying towards educational qualifications.

I love the way you can specify exactly what you need.

I only ask for ones with references and checked the references when I got them )

[Dinosaurus]

Awesome.

I have a regular nanny and baby sitter via that site and I LOVE her. I am sad she will finish uni this year and abandon us for her own dreams

My friend has used it in both Qld and Vic and has only had good experiences.

I will use it again when I need to.

[Burro]

I'd recommend it.. I read through loads of profiles and contacted my preferred first and then met with her. Worked really well. I have a lovely uni student who lives 5 mins away.

[Ehill]

I used it with success in Perh. Just interview a few and do a trial. Check their references.

[Mamabug]

We found a sitter we were very happy with...who lived about 200m up the road!!!! Go figure!

[Pompol]

Complete waste of money for me but I live rurally. There seemed to be a few locals so I joined up, got a few applicants and interviewed some, none were suitable or willing to accept a reasonable hour rate (the only "good" one wanted $25 an hour, cash in hand and wouldn't entertain being paid on the books as it would effect her Centrelink, AND to bring her own child).

[Diana_Barry]

I had a good experience! Was nervous too, but you can read through their little spiels about themselves & get a feel for whether you'd be likely to click with them before you make contact. I was looking for someone to look after my DS at uni while I attended 2 hour class... and one of the girls in my course was advertising her services. It worked perfectly!