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How to Contact a Sitter on BabySitters.com |
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Once you get a list of babysitters, the next step is contacting the sitters. Each sitter includes one or more ways in their profile for parents to contact them. The available contact methods always include email and can also include phone, cell, fax, or AOL Instant Messenger (AIM). Parents are provided with a list of the contact methods the sitter has provided in their profile before paying a subscription fee. (Once the subscription fee is paid, the actual contact information is displayed.)
| Tips for Contacting a Sitter |
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When contacting a sitter, keep in mind that many sitters are either still in school or have a full time job. They may not have the ability to immediately respond to your inquiry. Try to start your search for a sitter at least a week before you actually need the sitter to watch your children. |
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Be sure to read the sitter's comments before attempting to contact the sitter. Many sitters will tell you the best way to reach them. |
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If you send email, keep in mind that the email may be falsely identified as SPAM by the sitter's email provider. If this happens, the sitter will not see your email. Be sure to try an alternative contact method if the sitter if you do not receive a response to your email. |
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You may wish to check references before contacting the sitter. If a sitter has provided references in their profile, a link for you to email the references will be displayed. |
| Tips for Selecting a Babysitter |
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Select several babysitters to interview, rather than focusing on a single sitter. |
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Check BabySitters.com often for new sitters that may have registered in your area. You can also receive automatic notification of new sitters in a specific zip code. To sign up, log into your BabySitters.com account and go to the 'Email Preferences' area of the 'Account Management' section. |
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BabySitters.com has an All-Mom editorial staff that reviews every sitter profile but parents also need to perform their own screening of sitters. |
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Parents can run a background check on sitters by logging into their BabySitters.com account. |
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Allow plenty of time to conduct a thorough investigation before hiring a babysitter. |
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Try to contact a sitter well in advance of the date you need one. Most babysitters are happy to work around parents' schedules as long as they are given advanced notice. |
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Next Up: Interviewing a Potential Babysitter |
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