Not originally from Atlantic Canada, she “didn’t have that village that everyone talks about” to help her take care of her children, Simon told CBC radio’s Information Morning Halifax. She had to hire a babysitter through Facebook and on the advice of neighbors. The results can be unpredictable. One sitter didn’t know how to change a diaper. Another was terrified of dogs after assuring Simon they wouldn’t be a problem.
experience toronto
While on vacation in Toronto, Simon said she wanted to see a Blue Jays game with her husband. She Googled babysitters and found several agencies. She booked a babysitter in 10 minutes and said she was pleased with the results. “I felt comfortable letting her go because I knew she had her background check, her references, she had recommendations from other parents who had used her before and it was a great service,” Simon said. Inspired by the experience, Simon set up her own agency – the Atlantic Babysitters Club – at her home in Halifax. He said he interviews all the teachers and does the reference checks. Applicant scientists must undergo a background check and provide CPR certification. The agency currently has nine babysitters on its roster.
Living wage
According to Simon, the agency charges clients $24 an hour. Sitters make between $15 and $18 an hour depending on their previous experience. Simon said the cost might be a little higher than parents typically pay, but she hopes they understand she wants her owners to earn a living wage. In addition, he said, the ease of booking and the fact that its holders are vetted should make the service more attractive. Lucy Sharpe has been working with Simon since before the agency started. (Lucy Sharp) Simon said she would trust all the babysitters on her roster with her own children. The agency’s website has a four-hour minimum reservation for guests in the Halifax and Moncton area. Lucy Sharp of Halifax said she has been babysitting for about 10 years. She is taking online courses at Lakeland College in Alberta to become a child and youth counselor. He said he learned about the agency idea through a Facebook ad before Simon even started the business. After an interview and background checks, she said she started taking care of Simon’s two children. “The perks of working for Alexis with her babysitting company is that I don’t have to go out and find the parents,” Sharpe said. “Instead, they’ll come to Alexis, go on her website and choose me if they want, and I’ll just get the booking and be able to start working for them.”
Feeling of relief
For most parents, having the freedom of knowing their children are with someone they trust for a few hours gives them a great sense of relief, she said. It’s a belief echoed by Jocelyne Perry in Moncton. She is another babysitter working with the agency. She said she babysat for a family on Saturday. The family had moved to Moncton from a different province and it was difficult for them to find someone they could trust. Perry said people are going out more now and the demand for babysitters is increasing. Already booked for December. MORE TOP STORIES
