For families
Au Pair Extraordinaire helps South African families find trusted, screened babysitters for babies, toddlers and older children. A babysitter is the perfect solution if you need flexible, ad hoc childcare after hours or on weekends, for an evening out, a weekend commitment or a late night at work.
Book a babysitter once-off for a particular occasion, or secure a permanent babysitter placement so you have a familiar sitter to call on as and when you need them. We place babysitters after hours and on weekends only. If you need care during working hours, that is always an au pair placement.
Once-off bookings and permanent placements
After hours and weekends
booked as and when you need it
Both options give you the same flexible, ad hoc childcare. The difference is whether you need a babysitter for one occasion or want one to rely on over time.
One occasion
A once-off booking covers a particular date and time, such as an evening out, a weekend event or a late night at work. You tell us when and where you need care, and we arrange a screened babysitter who is available and suited to your children.
Booked for a particular date and time
As and when you need it
A permanent babysitter placement gives your family a babysitter to use on an as-needed basis. There is still no fixed schedule. You simply have a trusted person your children already know, ready to book for evenings and weekends whenever you need care.
One familiar babysitter, no fixed schedule
Both options include
Screening
When a babysitter arrives at your home for an evening or a weekend, you need to know they are dependable and well vetted. Every babysitter passes the same five stages before we recommend them to your family.
We screen hundreds of CVs daily. Every babysitter must have:
Only 1 in 10 applicants reaches the next phase.
We interview every babysitter, using structured questions created by a psychologist. Here we look to get a firmer grip on their underlying motives, abilities, passions and suitability for different families and children.
Roughly half of applicants at this stage get our stamp of approval.
We mine all past employment. A single bad reference is enough to cut representation.
Every babysitter has not only been vetted and cleared as an exceptional candidate, but we know each of them well enough to match them with the right family and the right booking.
We go beyond personality to evaluate the real-world abilities of our babysitters with our custom-built Child Care Competency Test.
These assessments go beyond what a CV can convey, evaluating each babysitter’s practical, day-to-day skills and ability to handle real-world scenarios effectively. That matters most when they are caring for your children while you are out.
Before any booking or placement, every successful babysitter completes a Criminal Background Check.
Families can also add ID Verification, a Premium Social Media Check with a comprehensive report, TransUnion Credit Check, Driver’s Licence Verification and Academic Qualification Verification.
All placement fees are once-off and payable before your babysitter starts working for you.
Once-off
R350 + VAT
Per once-off booking
For a single booking on a particular date and time, such as an evening out or a weekend event.
One particular date and time
Permanent
R3 000 + VAT
Once-off placement fee
If you anticipate needing regular ad hoc after-hours or weekend childcare, we can place a permanent babysitter with your family.
Back-up babysitter included
Good to know
With a permanent placement, a back-up babysitter is available if yours cannot make it on a particular evening.
FAQ
A babysitter is the right fit when you need flexible, ad hoc childcare after hours or on weekends, with no fixed schedule. If you need care during working hours, including transport and homework support, that is always an au pair placement. If you need more hands-on daily childcare, especially for younger children, a nanny may be more suitable.
No. We offer both once-off babysitting and permanent babysitter placements. With a permanent placement, your family has a babysitter to use on an as-needed basis. What makes it babysitting is that care is after hours or on weekends and booked as needed, not how long the arrangement lasts.
No. We place babysitters after hours and on weekends only. Care during working hours is always an au pair placement, even when it is only for a relatively short period.
A babysitter may supervise children in your home, assist with meals or snacks, support bath time and bedtime routines, oversee quiet play or homework where needed, and keep children safely occupied and engaged while you are out or working late. The exact arrangement depends on your child’s age, the length of the booking and the expectations agreed in advance.
The more clearly you outline the booking, the easier it is to identify the right babysitter. Before we recommend someone, please be ready to share:
The more notice you can give, the better. However, we can also assist with urgent or short-notice bookings where possible.
Always brief your babysitter properly before a booking begins. Even an experienced babysitter needs to understand your child’s routine, how your household runs and what to do in an emergency. It helps to share:
A clear handover makes the booking calmer and more comfortable for everyone. With a permanent babysitter it gets quicker each time, but it is worth updating as routines change.
Every babysitter passes the same five stages: application and CV review, structured interviews, reference and employment checks, a childcare competency test and a criminal background check. Additional checks, such as ID verification and a social media check, are available on request.
Still have a question?
Our team is happy to talk it through with you.
Ready when you are
An excellent babysitter booking should be straightforward and feel safe. Whether you need care for one evening or a trusted babysitter to call on whenever life requires it, Au Pair Extraordinaire arranges flexible, ad hoc childcare after hours and on weekends through a simple and supportive process. We provide quality candidates who are well matched to your family, for reliable childcare and complete peace of mind.
Once-off bookings and permanent placements
One of our agents will be in touch within 12 hours to discuss your needs.
One of our friendly consultants will contact you shortly
One of our agents will be in touch within 12 hours to discuss your needs.
COVID-19 Lockdown Solutions:
We place accomplished homeschool tutors
Permanent Solutions: Hire a homeschool teacher to facilitate and teach our recommended digital CAPS or Cambridge International homeschool curriculum.