There are two popular options when it comes to choosing a nanny. You have a choice of traditional nanny agencies or online nanny services.

With traditional nanny agencies families can bypass the time and energy to go through the process of finding a nanny through the classified ads.

However, you need to think about the cost. With this service, the cost is a bit on the expensive side.

But even though the cost is high, there are many benefits of using traditional agencies.

For families that are busy, traditional agencies are the perfect choice because they do all the work. The agency will post your ads for you, they will conduct all the prescreening that is needed, check all of the references that are given, conduct face to face interviews as well as conduct all the background checks that are needed. This all takes a great amount of time and saves you all that time.

One important thing to remember when searching for a nanny agency is to do your homework so that you find one that is reputable. Make sure the agency you choose is a member of the International Nanny Association.

If you decide to go via the route of the online nanny service, you are not alone. Nanny websites are becoming increasingly popular. It combines the option of choosing your own nanny with the option of a nanny agency.

Choosing an online nanny service is an affordable choice as compared to a traditional nanny agency. Most online services will cost between $30-$100 where a traditional babysitting agency ranges from $1,000-$5,000.

And, you have full control. Instead of leaving it to someone else, you can find a nanny that is best for you and your family.

You have access to a nanny database, so you can take time to go through reviews, ratings, references, background checks and finally do personal interviews.

The best thing is that you can search for nannies in your area sitting in your living room. You can search by your specific needs such as a nanny that is a non smoker, one that has a valid driver’s license with car insurance or one that has previous experience.

The bottom line is that you have the choice.

If you want somebody else to do reference checks, interviews and you are prepared to pay for that, then a traditional agency might be perfect for you.

If you are computer savvy, prepared to conduct your own reference checks and interviews, and at the same time want to save a lot of money, then by all means go for an online nanny service.

>>>>>Sittercity.com has acquired Sitters.com…read more<<<<<<

Sitters.com is one of the largest sources of up to date care providers.

They offer comprehensive care provider profiles with references, reviews, ratings, photos, videos, availability schedules, training and certifications to make search for a care provider  quick, simple and safe.

Parenting magazine rated sitters.com as one of the safest online sites for finding care providers due to its thorough selection process.  Each profile and job posting is reviewed by a member of the All Mom Team and includes a link to the bio of the Mom that completed the review.

In addition, members can check out background checks, online reviews and ratings posted by other members of Sitters.com as well as talk to references before contacting the care provides.

Features which distinguish sitters.com from their competitors:

• Focus on having the most up-to-date  care providers: people actively looking to provide care today rather than claiming to have “hundreds of thousands” of  providers

• Phone Support available 24 hours a day, including weekends and holidays

• All-Mom Editorial Team: team of moms that are dedicated to keeping the Sitters.com community safe and secure.  Every Mom on the team has at least a Bachelor’s Degree and 5 years of corporate business experience.

Best of all, it doesn’t cost anything to check out the value Sitters.com offers. You can search for care providers and also create a trial membership for free.

For paid members, Sitters.com comes with a money-back guarantee. If you post a job and don’t get at least three applicants in three days, you will get a full refund.

Care.com is an online service that matches care & service providers in the areas of child care, tutoring, pet care, personal assistant services and senior care to the people who need their help.

By joining Care.com as a paid premium member,  subscribers receive full access to the service including caregiver contact details, background checks and references.  They can also post jobs detailing their specific care needs.  All premium members have access to caregiver alert emails and  weekly member newsletter filled with expert tips and advice.

Features which distinguish care.com from their competitors:

• Care on Call: Broadcast a message to caregivers near you in seconds
• Free Background Check
• Care Club: Online shopping mall rewards program that offers discounts and Cash Back rewards to Care.com members when they shop at participating online retailers in Care.com’s Care Club
• Co-ops: group of moms or parents take turns caring for each other’s children in order to save on child care
• The Tell A Friend program: help your friends find quality caregivers while also getting rewarded

Unlike other websites, they have 2 interesting categories of sitters: special needs and care gig provider. A care gig provider will assist you with running various “gigs” from parties & events, shopping, moving services to general errands and even vacation services.

Care.com also offers money back guarantee.  If a subscriber  creates a job posting, and doesn’t hear back from one of the hundreds of thousands of caregivers listed on Care.com within three days, then the subscriber can close the account and receive a full refund of any membership fee paid.