[mumto1boy]

I am looking for a nanny 1 day a week and was looking at www.findababysitter.com.au. Has anyone had success with this site? I posted up an ad already under a trial 7 day period but to reply to any responses or contact anyone directly I need to pay for membership, which seems costly (about $95 for 3 months). Can anyone recommend another method to find a good nanny - I have tried word of mouth but no one seems to be able to recommend anyone. Thanks

[sqawk]

I have used FAB and gumtree. Gumtree is free but i think the overall quality of applicants is better on FAB. $95 seems a lot but when you compare it to how much you're going to pay the nanny, I personally think its a good investment!! I found gumtree had a lot of students and travellers so probably better if you're looking for someone relative short-term

Depending on how much time you have, you could try gumtree first, then FAB later if unsuccessful initially. My current nanny was on both as it turns out. I have never used an agency, but understand they charge hundreds for inital placement etc.

[baddmammajamma]

Yes, we have successfully used FAB.

We ended up finding our WONDERFUL babysitter three years ago through FAB -- she lives very close to us, went to the local school on our street, has fabulous credentials. I'm not sure we would have "found" her had we had relied solely on word of mouth.

Worth the registration fee IMHO.

Good luck!!!

[paige0810]

Hi mumto1boy,

Which city are you living in and looking for a nanny?

By experience ads on Gumtree can get a lot of replies but if you're stringent on your criteria and specify the role, you'll have a lot less responses.
PLUS it's FREEEEE!

[Pompol]

I tried Find a Babysitter earlier this year and it was hopeless in our case. We live rurally. Had a few applicants, but most not at all suitable for our job, except one who seemed perfect but was only interested in the position if we'd pay cash in hand, which we wouldn't. I can imagine it would be a very useful resource if you lived in the right place geographically but my suggestion would be to spend your money on a local newspaper ad if you don't !!

[halcyodays]

I've found fantastic nannies through findababysitter- I'm in Sydney. With facebook and google, it is quite easy to check referees and references.

[NotBitzerMaloney]

I'm in Sydney and found a brilliant nanny through FAB, as well as a babysitter a couple of years later.
As squawk said, there's a volume / quality trade off between FAB and gumtree.
$95 is probably half a day nanny cost... Fairly good return on investment vs agencies.

[au*lit]

I recently had great success with FAB. I have just returned to work and needed to find someone 3 days a week. I am in an inner suburb of Melbourne, so that probably doesn't hurt.

Within hours of posting the job I was getting replies. After a few days I changed the ad to say we weren't considering any more applications and then closed the position early (so it came off the site). I was also pleasantly surprised at the experience and qualifications of many applicants.

We have founds someone we're really happy with and most importantly DS loves spending time with her.

If we ever need to find a nanny/babysitter again I'd use FAB.

While the cost might seem a lot, it's way cheaper than what an agency would charge.

[EBeditor]

Obviously I have a vested interest in FAB but I have had a great experience with the site and my current babysitter was hired through the service.

I have used gumtree before and the lady I hired quit via SMS with no notice

[Smudgied]

I work for a family who's nanny - from FAB - worked one week then took time off due to a family matter so I stepped in to help. Then she came back several weeks later, worked another 2 weeks then quit by SMS. I'm on FAB and have some great clients that I work for and some not so great. Just be as honest as you can, pay on time and if you feel you need a contract then write one. If you want once off I think it's a good idea to do a 2 hour session prior so they can know the kids a bit and the kids aren't just left with a stranger.