We've used Best Sitters only on short notice when our nanny has been sick or on vacation. The most notice we''ve given them is about a week and the least is 1 day. We've used them maybe 6-8 days (on 3 separate occasions).
Pros: The owner, Brenda, follows up promptly and has never failed in getting someone on short notice. She's also very friendly and accommodating.
Cons: What I've noticed about Best Sitters is that their short-notice sitters are probably available for a reason, meaning not hired as full-time caregivers or nannies. Everyone we've had has been somewhat lacking to some extent. For our regular nanny and long-term date night sitters, we've carefully chosen and interviewed them ourselves. They are typically childcare givers who want a change from daycare work or college students who are supplementing their income but have quite a bit of experience. From our experience, the Best Sitter lot seem to lack a comparable level of experience. I'm sure they may have better but if you need someone on short notice, you probably won't get their best. Also, Best Sitters says they do background checks, but unlike a service like Care.com, you don't get to verify that or see if for yourself. One sitter who we hadn't used before, when she called and I tried to learn a bit about her, she was a bit defensive when I simply asked "so, what is your childcare background?" The thing is, Best Sitters doesn't give you much about the sitters' background so you just have to trust.
Also, I think we must have had the same sitter as Sarah B. at some point in that our sitter is preoccupied with using our wi-fi. And I know why - each time she comes she seems preoccupied with and working on the crafts she sells online. She seems to want to stay around the house, not go to the nearby park and often has arrived late. She's a lovely person and I want to help her out but I don't have that sense of security I have when we've left our toddler with our regular sitters.
In short, if I can stay home, I would opt for that rather than use Best Sitters as a last option. Like I said, Brenda is lovely and accommodating, we just haven't had great luck who they've chosen. I hope they continue to improve because the service would be invaluable to working parents. read more