Booking an ELF Sitter
All out ELF sitters go through a careful vetting process before becoming registered with us. They all must have proven childcare experience and preferably have professional childcare qualifications such as an NNEB or NVQ qualification.
We do have a few sitters who are currently studying childcare at college or university or who have at least 3 years experience babysitting, but do not hold a professional qualification. Usually in these circumstances they are more mature sitters and are often parents themselves.
All our sitters must meet the minimum below criteria:
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Have their own transport or be able to get to and from bookings independently
- Be able to provide checkable childcare experience and be able to provide at least two references which can be taken up by ELF sitters. (These are available to view, please give 5 days’ clear notice prior to a booking to allow for postal delivery if this is required)
- A current CRB check (for all new sitters from Jan 2008)
- Practical knowledge of first aid and relevant experience with children of different ages.
If a new application meets the above criteria they are then formally interview face to face by Emma Fursman (owner) to assess their suitability and also so identity and qualification checks can be made.
Placing a booking
To book an ELF sitter you will need to read our babysitting terms and conditions and then fill in the family registration form located further down this page. Once this has been received you are free to book an ELF sitter as and when you required one.
You can book a sitter in the following ways:
- Telephoning 0117 2309053 or 01666 860171
- Text message to 07931 427300
- Email to info@elfsitters.co.uk
- Filling in our booking request form located by clicking on the tab at the top right called “book a sitter”
Please ensure that you provide the following information when placing a booking:
- Name
- Address
- Start time
- Finish time
- Any special requirements
Once you have placed a booking we will see who is free in your area. If you have a preferred sitter please state this at the time of booking and we will always try them first.
Once a sitter has been located we will contact you to confirm details and if you are happy to continue we will pass your details on to the sitter. If they have not been to you before they will then contact you independently a few days prior to the booking to introduce themselves.
If you would like to meet a sitter prior to your booking please ensure that you request this at the time of booking. (Please note this is not always possible for bookings that are placed with less than 48 hours notice). Our sitters offer this service free of charge so I would ask you keep the meeting time to a minimum as acknowledgement of this.
We will always endeavour to fill any babysitting bookings but occasionally this may not always be possible, particularly when a booking is made with very short notice. Please try to give as much notice as possible particularly for premium nights such as Saturdays and during busy periods such as Christmas and Valentine’s Day.
Please do not attempt to make any bookings directly with your sitter. All bookings must be made through ELF sitters via the above mentioned channels. All our babysitters are contacted to refuse any offer of employment directly from parents introduced by ELF sitters. When you complete and return the family registration form you are also agreeing to make all bookings for babysitters introduced o you by ELF sitters through ELF sitters only. For full details please read the terms and conditions section below. Any breach of these conditions will result in terminations of your registration and also the sitter in question.
Cancellations
If you need to cancel a booking due to unforeseen circumstances please contact ELF sitters immediately. If it is outside of office hours, please ring the ELF mobile on 07931 427300. If a booking has already been confirmed there will be a £5 cancellation fee payable. You will not be expected to pay your babysitter when you cancel unless you have cancelled after their arrival at your house. In these circumstances you are required to pay the minimum booking time of 3 hours to your sitter.
Cost
There is no joining fee or monthly subscription to use ELF sitters. Instead there is a small booking fee each time a booking has been confirmed with you. The booking fee is payable directly to ELF sitters and you will be invoiced on a monthly basis for any bookings placed. The booking fees are as follows:
- 1-3 bookings per calendar month is £6.50 per booking
- 4-5 bookings per calendar month is £5.25 per booking
- 6+ bookings per calendar month is £4.50 per booking.
- Same day bookings are £8 per booking
- Cancelled bookings are £5 per booking.
You should pay your sitter in cash at the end of each booking. There is a minimum booking charge of 3 hours and if your returns within this time you are required to pay this amount. For bookings lasting longer than 3 hours, the below hourly rates apply rounded up to the next 15 minutes. You are not expected to pay additional travel costs to your babysitter and this is why we ask that you honour the 3 hour minimum.
| Monday – Thursday | Between 6.30pm-Midnight | £5.75 per hour |
| Friday – Sunday | Between 6.30pm-Midnight | £6.00 per hour |
| Outside of these hours for babysitting only £6.50 per hour | ||
These rates will differ if you require an employee to conduct nanny duties, are placing a temporary booking whilst staying in holiday accommodation or a hotel, or for premium nights such as New Years Eve. You will be advised at the time of booking if the rates differ.
Other Information
To offer the best quality care from our sitters we work to Ofstead guidelines and have a sitter ratio per child of:
| Children’s age | Ratio per sitter |
| 0-2 years | 1 sitter per 3 children |
| 2-3 years | 1 sitter per 4 children |
| 3+ years | 1 sitter per 5 children. |
Please advise us if the amount of children will exceed this as we will need to book additional sitters accordingly.
If when placing a booking you know that children not indicated your registration form will be present you must advise ELF sitters, of names, ages and any special requirements. We will then advise if any extra charge will be applicable.
Currently we cover Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Bristol, Bath and parts of Oxfordshire. We are gradually expanding this area so please do ask if you’re not sure if your area is covered.
Office hours – The office is usually manned 9am-5pm Monday to Friday and outside these times there is always an answer machine. Many of our families who use ELF sitters prefer to text or email there babysitting requirements so please feel free to use this method if you would like to.
Our contact details are:
ELF sitters
20 New Queen Street
Kingswood Bristol BS15 1DF
0117 2309053
01666 861152 07931 427300
info@elfsitters.co.uk
If you need to speak to someone urgently outside of normal office hours please call the ELF mobile on 07931 427300.
If you would like to speak to us about the service or require more information we are here to help so please do not hesitate to contact us by email, phone or text.