This is part two in a series of four posts about K. Grace Childcare – Flexible and Convenient Babysitting in Chicago. Read part one on Caitlin’s blog.
One of the hardest things after you figure out what your childcare needs are – full-time, part-time, all-the-time – is finding that sitter that’s right for you. If you know me, or my blog, you’ll know that in the past, finding the right sitter has been, well, difficult for me.
That’s what I loved most about my experience with K. Grace Childcare. Not only do they have terrific options for flexible and convenient childcare – I like to call it “on demand babysitting” – but they have the staff and the methodology to match you with a terrific sitter for your family and the technology to make it happen.
When you first decide that you’d like to try K. Grace Childcare to find a babysitter, you fill out an online profile. It is like match.com for babysitting – brilliant!
I got to fill out exactly what I wanted in a sitter – job requirements, my kids’ favorite activities, questions about my kids’ needs such as allergies, special needs, etc. Then, once I filled out the form, I got an email confirming that K. Grace had received my information. Then, within what seemed like minutes, I received call from Erin, K. Grace’s Client Manager, but more like “Chief Awesome Babysitter Placement Specialist.”
Erin went over all the details of what to expect from the K. Grace experience – she is chief example of why K. Grace works – Erin has a soothing and calm demeanor that allowed her to understand just what I was looking for from a babysitting service amidst the screeches from my little guy in the background. Around anyone else I’d feel embarrassed about the chaos, but Erin assured me she’s seen it all before.
Then, the best part. I got my username and password for the site, and I was able to fill out, on my own, just when and what time I needed help. Again, brilliant! If anything changed on my end, I was able to control any schedule edits and even call an emergency number if I needed to, to make any edits.
A K. Grace sitter, Ashley. Isn’t she darling!?
After she got a sense of “me beyond my online profile” I finished the application process. K. Grace offers the same flexible kinds of pricing that go along with its flexible and convenient service. At K. Grace, you only pay for what you use in terms of babysitter hours. Monthly fees for usage of K. Grace vary depending on how many hours you use the K. Grace sitters.
You get what you pay for. Kayme Pumphrey, the owner of K. Grace childcare, takes time and energy to recruit the best sitters possible. Her sitters are recruited out of local colleges and many of them have backgrounds in psychology, education and social work. The young woman who came to my house is a music major, which came in handy since my little guy loves to rock out to any ol’ kind of music.
Kayme also prides herself on her extensive screening process – it’s the same background check company that NASA uses! The process takes multiple steps including applications, group interviews, single interviews, protocol and child development exams, reference checks, background checks, and CPR certification — so only the sitters who are truly committed make it to the end. (Approximately 70 percent of applicants don’t pass Kayme’s screening process so you know you are getting the best of the best.)
Kayme and her daughter Addison at nine months of age
Sitters all follow the same protocol at every appointment – they wash their hands when they enter the house, take their shoes off, and keep a log of all the activity that happens during the day when you’re out. It essentially eliminated my need for that hourly “check in” call when I was out doing my meetings. Because I’m all busy these days, you know.
The next thing I knew, Erin confirmed my request for a sitter, I was provided information about her and gave me the 411 on why she selected her just for my family, ok, me. When the lovely young woman showed up at my door last week, I was confident I’d met my match. In the best possible way.
Do you want to meet your perfect babysitting match? Want to try it out? K. Grace is offering a Chicago family the chance to experience their placement process for free (a $40 value). The winner will have the opportunity to experience what it is like to be a client at K. Grace (note that, in order to provide the best level of service to their clients, certain geographic limitations apply and the winner is responsible for compensating the babysitter for her/his time).
There are two ways you can enter to win: (1) leave a comment on this post (be sure to include your contact info so we can reach you if you win!) and (2) Become a fan of K. Grace Childcare on Facebook. So 2 total entries per person. All entries must be received by midnight (CST) on Monday, February 13, 2011. Good luck!
And don’t worry, there will be many more ways to win a free placement. Just check out next week’s post – part III in our series – on A Hen and Two Now Three Chicks next week!
Disclosure: I am working with K. Grace to help spread the word about their services and I am being compensated for my time. My experience with the K. Grace process and babysitter we had to our home, however, is all my genuine and honest opinion!
I usually post on Mother’s Day about my adventures, both good and bad, but this year, seeing that the baby had pink eye + a 101 degree fever today, I’m best to leave the day behind and move on.
