Baby-sitters in Cape Town
Agencies
The following well-regarded local agencies, listed under ‘au pairs’, also provide part-time and occasional English-speaking babysitters:
- Child Minders
Visit http://www.childminders.co.za or call 083 254 4683.
Rates:
Standard: R45-R70 per hour.
After midnight: R55-R70 per hour.
- Handy Helpers
Visit http://www.handyhelpers.co.za/childcare.html or call 0861 435 737.
Rates: R45-R65 per hour.
- Sitters4u
Visit http://www.sitters4u.co.za/article/home or call 087 808 5357.
Rates: These vary according to the number of children and their ages. The standard 1 child rate is R 45 per hour before midnight, and R 55 per hour after midnight. Visit http://www.sitters4u.co.za/article/i-need-a-once-off-babysitter_206 for more details.
Alternative Methods
One common way to find a sitter is by using the Cape Ads (http://www.capeads.co.za) or any other local newspaper with a classifieds section (see Newspapers and Media). Community notice boards, which are generally positioned near the entrances to supermarkets, are another good place to find or post free advertisements for babysitters. Naturally, lacking the assurance of an agency, it then becomes your responsibility to ensure that your babysitter is trustworthy and qualified to take care of your child. The upside is that informal babysitters can often be had at half the price of agency sitters.
It’s common for locals to hire their domestic servants as babysitters once they’ve grown to trust them. Once you’ve made a few friends in the city, be sure to ask around. It’ll probably be your best bet for finding good, trustworthy, yet inexpensive, child minders.
