Anyone actually used care.com?

Kdawgg

DH & I feel clueless about where to start looking for childcare and I remember reading in one of these posts about the site care.com.  Apparently they have background checks and ratings on childcare facilities, but in order to access them (or get contact info) you have to pay a monthly fee.  The fee is $35 a month and before I shell that out I'd like to know that other mom's to be used the site and had success with it.  Has anyone actually used it and found it helpful? TIA!

EmilyJBrown

I'd be curious to see what other people say, too.  I've heard of it, but don't know anyone who has used it.  I do know people that have used SitterCity (sittercity.com) though, and they seem pretty happy with it.  You can specify a babysitter or nanny's credentials, including background checks and reviews, plus there's no monthly fee and all of the caregivers specify on their profile what their rate is so you don't have to worry about negotiating, etc.  Maybe you can check that one out too!

MrsEmilyS

I was a nanny for a year before we moved.  Once we moved I signed up and advertised myself on care.com.  I didn't find it to be effective.  I did meet a great family through nannies4hire.com though.

jlsimon56

My sister told me about that one and about sittercity.com - she said she liked sittercity better.  She has found both her nannies off craigslist though!  I am not sure I could do that....  Both have been great though, so you never know! 

Telly21182

I've tried the free service before and I feel like the results I get don't match up to what we're looking for so it's not worth the extra monthly fee for me.

luvbeingmom

it depends on what you're looking for...

are you looking for a daycare center? a home daycare provider?

if either of those, don't bother with care.com or sittercity. if you're looking for one of those, contact your local ymca and ask for their childcare referral list. after you fill out some paperwork, they will give you a list of daycares that have registered with ymca. they have to be licensed in order to register with ymca, but you would still have to do your own legwork to find any complaints about the provider.

care.com and sittercity are more for finding a nanny, or a part time babysitter. i've joined sittercity, i've yet to actually meet or hire anyone from there because i haven't needed a babysitter.

but just so you know, even if you join one of those sites, if you find someone you like YOU still have to PAY for the background check. it is not included in the monthly fee. it is a separate charge. even if you find someone who has had a background check done on them, you can't view it. you have to pay for your own.

boston elle

Im actually a nanny that was hired off of care.com and my employer found me and the nanny before me off of it. He has been really pleased with both of us. He is currently using the site again as I will be leaving to have my baby.

 

Kdawgg

Thanks for the thoughts everyone! 

celiabeth

I haven't used that site, but I did attend an event this past weekend on finding child care.  It was hosted by those who own nanny agencies.  I think an agency (a good one anyway) is easiest as they assure that they have their background check, certifications, etc and can help with contracts and other questions.  They did say if you use the site like Care or Sittercity, do not trust the background checks on those sites.  They only go back 6 months and are not in-depth.  She said if the credit check is cheap like $20 then it isn't what you want.  You want an extensive backgound check, something like $100.  The agency said they use one used by NASA that has runners to double check the information.  You must always call references.  Using a site like those takes a lot of time and work and you cannot really look for one until the baby arrives because people want jobs now, not 3-6 months from now.  Agencies said they won't even send people to interview until about 4 weeks before you need them.

JuneBugsMommy

I found the family I am currently a nanny for on sittercity.com. I would recommend sittercity or care.com, you can interview as many people as you want as well as have background checks done with no obligation of hiring anyone. I'd say it's worth a try.

misslindsay24

I am a nanny and actually used care.com to find my previous job and my current one