Moms are willing to share just about anything, except baby sitters. Where do parents looking for a night away or just a night off turn?
Here’s a roundup of professional babysitting services in Orange County that moms and dads can rely on.
Mollycoddlers
Mollycoddlers understands how time-consuming it can be to find a sitter, so it conducts face-to-face interviews, reference checks, background checks and schedule coordination. The agency caters to families vacationing at local resorts and hotels. The company has newborn specialists and overnight and holiday nannies on staff. Need dry cleaning or groceries picked up? Mollycoddlers run errands for busy parents too.
Sitter rates start at $13 per hour for one child, $14 for two children and an $18 booking fee. Overnight rates are $225 for one to two kids and $250 for three to four kids for the 24-hour period plus a $30 booking fee. 949-275-5437, mollycoddlers.net
O.C. Nannies & Newport Domestics
Tell O.C. Nannies & Newport Domestics your budget and it will take care of the rest. For 35 years, the company has been matching families with professional caregivers including doulas, newborn nurses, chefs, chauffeurs, repair workers and male nannies. It makes the process easy for parents by selecting applicants its workers have met in person and carefully screening to fit specific needs.
Pricing depends on level of experience, qualifications and English fluency. 949-721-0878, ocnannies.com
Playmates A Wee Care Club
If the sitter cancels at the last minute, drop the kids off at Playmates A Wee Care Club in Laguna Niguel. No reservations are required at the state-licensed child care center for children 2-12. Staff members are trained in early childhood development, CPR and first aid and have passed security background checks and health screenings. The center is open Monday through Saturday and does not require children to be potty-trained.
Rates are $8 per hour for one child, $4 per hour for a second sibling, $3 for a third and $1.50 for each additional sibling for members. Nonmember rates are $15 per hour for one child and $5 per hour for each additional sibling. 949-448-0814, playmateswcc.com
UrbanSitter
Referrals are key when finding a reliable caregiver. UrbanSitter takes it a step further by connecting with your community so you can find lists of top-rated babysitters and nannies hired and vetted by parents from your child’s school, parenting groups or neighborhood. For added peace of mind, parents can view a sitter’s experience and certifications on a detailed profile, including whether he or she has gone through a background check processed by a third-party service.
Memberships start at $14.95 per month to contact a caregiver and can be canceled at any time. support@urbansitter.com, urbansitter.com
Zum
Busy parents can order rides for their children through this app. Similar to Uber, Zum provides scheduled or on-demand rides for children 5 and up and offers child care at home or sitters who will stay with your child at activities if given four hours’ notice.
When parents sign up, they’re assigned to a maximum of six Zumers; this way, drivers are consistent and the children aren’t greeted by a new face each week. The app is cashless and allows parents to track their child’s location at all times. Drivers must be over 21 and have child care experience and stellar driving and care records. All Zumers pass national-level FBI and Department of Justice background checks, as well as DMV record and referral checks, on an ongoing basis. The majority of Zumers are female, and parents can request female drivers.
Ride rates start at $16 and are charged on a time and mileage basis. Service rates are $6 per 15 minutes. 909-554-3833, ridezum.com
