Planning for a Trip: Arranging Childcare While on Vacation

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This post provides guidance around arranging for childcare while on vacation.

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Contact Your Accommodation for Trusted Childcare Providers

If your accommodation does not have a go-to provider, reach out to a local highly rated hotel and connect to their concierge service. They will likely have a reputable agency that provides high quality babysitters.

Contact Childcare Provider

Be prepared to provide the following information:

• Location where childcare will take place
• Address where childcare will take place
• 1st requested dates & time
• 2nd requested dates & time
• 3rd requested dates & time
• 4th requested dates & time
• Children details: Name, Age, Gender
• Child care considerations:
  • Feeding expectations
  • Diapering expectations
  • Sleeping expectations
  • Disability considerations

Confirm Fee Schedule & Policies

• Childcare provider background
  • Agency business license
  • View the provider’s licensing record
  • How do they hire babysitters
  • How do they handle communication with parents?
  • Disaster/emergency reunification plans
• Individual child carer background
  • Background checked
  • Fingerprinted
  • CPR & First aid certified
  • Known address
  • Phone number
  • How do they handle discipline?
• Pricing
  • Base Rate: Cost/hour for one child
  • Time minimums?
  • Gratuity included?
  • How & when to pay childcare provider
  • Holiday rates
• Additional fees
  • Additional child(ren)
  • Midnight-8 AM (extended hours)
  • Hours that exceed an 8 hour period (United States workday)
  • Travel fee assessed to each assignment
  • Requests with less than 24 hours’ notice
  • Cancellation or schedule changes
• Additional requirements to make the booking