The idea of a babysitters club has been playing on my mind recently. I think it would be great to establish a group of girls or even guys that can be relied on by expat Zurich parents to babysit as required.
Seeing the Pet sitting thread ( Pet Sitting Network ), I decided to put my thoughts on babysitting down here.

For example, I need to do a flying visit to Ireland over a weekend in February, but need to babysit for someone that weekend, it would be great to have a back-up babysitter. I never cancel babysitting, even when sick, so it is really hard to cancel/re-schedule with the parents for this weekend.
Also, I sort of have a romantic notion of the books "The babysitters Club" I used to read in my pre-teen state.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Baby-sitters_Club

http://theothererin.files.wordpress....tters-club.jpg


I'm thinking:
*weekly/monthly meetings
*booklet that I would draw up, with emergency numbers, what to do if the child has a fever in the middle of the night.( I carry a themometer on me at all times)
* perhaps some sort of mini contract between me, others babysitters and parents....

It's 4am... brainstorming has stopped and spell check will not spell themometer!

Let me know your thoughts!

Hi deutschmaad,

I like your idea. It would be nice to meet other people in the same work area and help each other. I'm pretty often ask to work on days I'm already booked. It would be nice to recommend somebody I know.

Anyway few of my thoughts in PM.

Hey, this sounds like a great idea! I'm free most evenings to babysit, as well as some weekends, and would love some extra money. I also know of others who would be interested in this new 'club' Let me know if you're planning on going ahead with it!

As a potential customer, I'd be very interested in having a pool of (similarly-minded/skilled) babysitters to ensure there was always someone available to babysit. So, yes, a great idea!

I agree also, I will be keeping an eye on this thread - great idea

Super! Will be in contact via PM within the next few weeks to arrange a meeting!

that sounds like such a good idea.
i prefer working on weekends than in the week as i do work 10 hours a day with children haha

Wonderful idea !! I'm free to babysit every evening or weekend. Count me in if really works!

The 1st meeting for the babysitting club is Sunday 6th March at 4pm.
Please PM me for details if you would like to attend, if I have not already sent you a PM.

This sounds just amazing! I´m working here as an au pair and some extra babysittings would be just amazing so I could travel more! And have something to do on my freetime which I have much to be saying!

I just hope that I can get these two references in time! So they need to be written in English? This is such a dream come true!

Hi Januska,

Please don't pin all your hopes on this! Waiting for everyone I PM'ed to add their name to the calender under Social events. Refs and info about yourself, is to give me an idea of who you are and to help create a filing system to move the project forward. I will also be providing a reference myself!

Info can be brought to meeting or emailled! I understand reservations people may have about emailling me personal info, prior to meeting me, which is why info can be brought to meeting too!

About a month ago, a young girl was kidnapped and sexually assaulted here in Switzerland. The girl, about 15, met this man on a babysitters website. The man claimed he needed a babysitter for his sister's son. They arranged a date and he went to pick her up.

I told my daughter I would prefer if she didn't join such a website even though the idea is very good.

Yes, I'd agree you should be very wary with a website, which is why I am setting up a meeting to meet everyone in person. See above posts.

Excellent. Wishing you lots of luck and success.

Thought I'd add in this website: helpful tips ( though most of it is common sense) drawn up by a girl called Laura.

http://www.helium.com/items/161513-h...bysitting-club

Here's another take on it:
something similar was mentioned on here at some point by someone!

http://www.wordconstructions.com/art...itclubnew.html

Blog coming soon...........

And here it is:

http://zhbabysitters.wordpress.com

Note: Myself and team started it a couple of days ago, so some sections may not be completely finished yet!

We welcome any blog/babysitting feedback.

I would love to join as I have experience as a nanny but at this moment I am an Au Pair and not allowed to work anything else BUT I will join after I finish my Au Pair stay here .
Great idea with your Babysitters Club!