Jamie RamsayCelebrating anniversaries can seem impossible, especially if you have young kids to leave at home. We just end up having wine nights during our kids’ bedtime, and sadly end up sleepy and feeling tired.
Well, that was before we met these amazing babysitters in Vancouver. Now, we can even plan random date nights and just book someone to look after the kids at the last minute.
Don’t hesitate to book that new restaurant in town as you’ve got these trusted babysitting pros to the rescue!
How we chose:
1. Nannies on Call
Consumer Rating: B
| Google reviews score | 4.1/5 |
| Total reviews | 4/5 |
| Score consistency | 5/5 |
Our Rating: B+
| Experience | 4.8/5 |
| Background checks | 4.8/5 |
| Activities | 4/5 |
| Creative activities | 4/5 |
| Outdoor play | 4/5 |
| Availability | 4.9/5 |
| Flexible hours | 4.9/5 |
| Accommodates last-minute bookings | 4.9/5 |
Since we were searching for someone reliable, and when we say reliable we mean one that has flexible hours, then Nannies on Call is one of our top favorites.
We’ve had bad experiences in the past where sitters arrived late, but we’re glad this babysitting company has been consistently prompt. All you need to do is send them a message, book a sitter, and wait for them to send a profile to you.
It’s great that they try to match the perfect sitter based on your preference. Be ready to though for certain questions like your kid’s bedtime routines, food preferences, and interests.
If your kid has allergies or food sensitivities, make sure to brief your babysitters well before leaving. We also left a sheet of all emergency contacts on the fridge.
What’s great about the babysitter is that she followed my kid’s routine. It was a school night, so the sitter also guided her while she did her homework.
You’ll also love that the sitters will send you updates, complete with photos, even if they’re aware that you have surveillance cameras around the home.
Rigorous hiring process
“I’ve experienced both sides of this service, first as a nanny from 2008-2011 and now as a parent using their services. I have had nothing but positive experiences working for them and now employing their occasional nannies. It’s always hard to leave your little ones with someone else, but knowing how rigorous they are with their hiring process gives you a lot of peace of mind. We’ve had six different nannies over the last year and they were all wonderful. Would definitely recommend to anyone looking for high quality occasional childcare.”
Melanie Karin Brown, Google Review
Can browse babysitter profiles
“This service is a life saver! They have a collection of amazing Nannies/Sitters you can hire on an as needed basis (sick days, professional development days at daycare, etc)! You can checkout reviews and profiles and book nannies you like. The ones I found so far have been amazing!”
Dilmi Perera, Google Review
2. West Coast Sitters
Consumer Rating: B+
| Google reviews score | 4.8/5 |
| Total reviews | 5/5 |
| Score consistency | 5/5 |
Our Rating: B+
| Experience | 4.8/5 |
| Background checks | 4.8/5 |
| Activities | 4.9/5 |
| Creative activities | 4.9/5 |
| Outdoor play | 4.9/5 |
| Availability | 4/5 |
| Flexible hours | 4/5 |
| Accommodates last-minute bookings | 4/5 |
When we were searching for a babysitter who doesn’t just look after our kids but also thinks of fun activities to do with them, my friend recommended West Coast Sitters.
We’ve been getting them thrice already, and they’ve been pretty consistent with their creativity and engagement.
After watching cartoons with my kid, the babysitter asked her to sit on the couch for a bit as she prepared the activities in the living room. Don’t worry, they won’t leave your kids unattended while doing this!
We checked the surveillance camera and saw that she was hiding toys around the area so they could do a mini treasure hunt.
It’s amazing that my kid didn’t even notice her leaving items to places–well maybe because our kid was still distracted watching on her tablet. We could tell that she loved it since she was still raving about it when we had breakfast the following morning.
We also saw that the babysitter kept her full attention even when our kid was watching cartoons or playing by themselves. She only attended to her phone when she saw it was us checking up on them.
The best part is, the babysitter didn’t leave any trace of their treasure hunting, and made sure all toys were kept organized.
Can handle various age groups
“I greatly appreciated the help I received from West Coast Sitters finding sitters to care for my ten-month-old baby while I was traveling to Vancouver and needing to work remotely at the same time. Mahsa’s professional guidance and sitter selection was exceptional as was the care we received from Kiera and Amanda. I highly recommend their whole team!”
Ada Smailbegovic, Google Review
Great communication skills
“We are very pleased with every aspect of our experience with West Coast sitters. We have been booking babysitters through Mahsa for over a year now, and the excellent communication from Mahsa and her team makes my life much easier. They are professional, reliable, and work hard to meet our requests. We have booked various babysitters for our now 22 month old, and I am pleased with the different backgrounds, education and experience each of them bring. I trust West Coast sitters vetting process and thorough background checks for every profile. Highly recommend!”
Melissa Penet, Google Review
3. Sitly
Consumer Rating: B+
| Google reviews score | 4.5/5 |
| Total reviews | 5/5 |
| Score consistency | 5/5 |
Our Rating: B
| Experience | 4/5 |
| Background checks | 4/5 |
| Activities | 4/5 |
| Creative activities | 4/5 |
| Outdoor play | 4/5 |
| Availability | 4.8/5 |
| Flexible hours | 4.8/5 |
| Accommodates last-minute bookings | 4.8/5 |
If you’re like us who frequently requires babysitters but can’t commit yet to full-time nannies then a budget-friendly option would be the most ideal option for now. One of the babysitters that offer cheaper rates is Sitly.
We know what you’re thinking, budget babysitting sounds a little scary. But don’t worry, there are no red flags when it comes to this company, trust us!
While the babysitters here have limited experience, we loved that they followed our instructions pretty well. So if you won’t require much playtime and you just need someone to look after your kids while you’re away, they’re a perfect match.
However, we feel like they could still improve handling newborns. We think they have much better experience handling older children.
For bookings, you’ll love that you won’t be charged with last-minute bookings. So they’re a great choice for sudden overtime work or random date nights.
Just be ready to be assigned to whoever’s available during the time of booking. If you really want to request a specific babysitter, make sure to book a few days ahead.
It’s also pretty convenient to book. Just download their mobile application and help will be on your way.
Good interactions
“Seems to work well. More active babysitters than other sites I have tried
Had one great experience so far and many pleasant interactions with potential babysitters”
Nick Rawji, Google Review
Babysitters live nearby
“I like how Sitly matches you with people who are close to where you live, so that helps with the travelling, especially with the price of gas going up.”
Carroll M, Google Review
4. Dream Nannies and Caregivers
Consumer Rating: B+
| Google reviews score | 4.9/5 |
| Total reviews | 5/5 |
| Score consistency | 5/5 |
Our Rating: B+
| Experience | 4.9/5 |
| Background checks | 4.7/5 |
| Activities | 4.4/5 |
| Creative activities | 4.4/5 |
| Outdoor play | 4.4/5 |
| Availability | 4.5/5 |
| Flexible hours | 4.5/5 |
| Accommodates last-minute bookings | 4.5/5 |
For families who are looking for a babysitting company that can attend to children with special needs then Dream Nannies and Caregivers would be a great decision.
Our friend’s 5-year-old kid was diagnosed with a speech delay so she could only communicate by crying.
She would always throw tantrums since people around her couldn’t understand what she was trying to say, so they really had to find someone who could manage it, and this babysitting company didn’t disappoint.
This company also understood that transitioning from one babysitter to another would be hard for the kid, so we loved that they made sure to match the kid with the same babysitter.
Our friends got us to watch some recorded clips and we were happy to see that their kid would enjoy the activities the babysitter had prepared. The babysitter also knew what to do when their kid became overstimulated with their afternoon play.
You also don’t need to worry if you don’t have enough surveillance cameras around your home. Their babysitters are all trained to update the parents.
It’s worth noting, however, that since the babysitters at Dream Nannies and Caregivers have more advanced skills, their hourly rates are a bit higher than usual.
Supportive team
“I couldn’t be happier with the service provided by BC Dream Nannies and Caregivers. From the moment I contacted them, they were professional, attentive, and dedicated to finding the perfect match. The agency made the entire process seamless, and offering support throughout. Highly recommended!”
Jay Jay, Google Review
Smooth and efficient process
“I’m truly grateful to Dream Nannies for their professionalism and support. Their process was smooth, efficient, and made everything so much easier! I highly recommend them!”
Michelle Anne, Google Review
5. Sunhouse Babysitting Agency
Consumer Rating: B+
| Google reviews score | 4.5/5 |
| Total reviews | 5/5 |
| Score consistency | 5/5 |
Our Rating: B+
| Experience | 4.9/5 |
| Background checks | 4.7/5 |
| Activities | 4.8/5 |
| Creative activities | 4.8/5 |
| Outdoor play | 4.8/5 |
| Availability | 4.8/5 |
| Flexible hours | 4.8/5 |
| Accommodates last-minute bookings | 4.8/5 |
If you need a babysitter who can guide your kids with homework, then you’ll love Sunhouse Babysitting Agency. The babysitters they assigned here were the same facilitators during their Nature School morning program.
We loved that they incorporate structured play in every babysitting session, so it’s perfect if your kids are very active and engaging. They even created a schedule without making it feel like they were in school.
If your kids are more on the creative side, you’ll love that they can do arts and crafts. Imagine, they taught our kid to create a DIY book bin, which we really find impressive.
Another thing that we appreciated about them is that they made an effort to get to know our child’s routine. They made sure to still stick to it so our kid won’t get overwhelmed.
But here’s our quick tip: just remember to mention your kid’s interests from the get-go so you have a better chance of getting the perfect sitter match on the first try.
It’s also great that they have a flexible schedule. We were able to book them on a weekend, so if you’re looking for someone who can look over your kids on holidays or weekends then they’re a perfect match for you.
Highly dedicated to continuous learning
“Sunhouse Babysitting Agency is an absolute gem in Vancouver! Nicole and April, the dynamic sister duo behind Sunhouse, have truly created something special. As a parent myself, I understand the challenges of finding reliable childcare, but Sunhouse has exceeded all my expectations. Their mission to provide the highest standard of care is evident in every aspect of their service. From the vetting process they use to select their nannies to their commitment to understanding each family’s unique needs, Sunhouse goes above and beyond to ensure peace of mind for parents. What sets Sunhouse apart is not just their professionalism, but their genuine passion for what they do. It’s clear that Nicole and April truly care about the families they serve and the nannies they employ. Their dedication to continuous learning and professional growth creates an environment where everyone thrives.”
Debbie West, Google Review
Has genuine care
“My wife and I recently had the pleasure of working with Sunhouse Babysitting Agency, and I couldn’t be more impressed. Their warmth and genuine care put our minds at ease as we navigated the daunting task of finding reliable childcare. As a father, nothing is more important to me than the safety and well-being of my child, and Sunhouse surpassed all our expectations in this regard. The meticulous screening process they employ to select their nannies gave us confidence that our little one was in the best possible hands. What truly sets Sunhouse apart is their commitment to understanding the unique needs of each family. Nicole and April took the time to listen to our concerns and preferences, ensuring that we were matched with a nanny who not only met our practical requirements but also connected with our child on a deeper level.”
Sumant Sharma, Google Review
