Babysitter in Vegas?
 

I'll be attending a conference in Vegas in late March, and will need a babysitter for the week, sometimes during the day and sometimes while I go to evening events. I'd like him/her to take my son to do things outside the hotel while I'm in sessions--8 hrs a day is too long to sit in a hotel room. The babysitting services in the phone book generally won't do that (insurance) and generally charge way more than the $10 I can be reimbursed for by the convention.

I've generally had good luck putting ads in student newspapers. That worked in Bryan, Texas, in Chicago, in Boston... but this is Vegas. I'm a bit apprehensive about my inability to interview a potential babysitter beforehand. Can anyone suggest a way to find and screen a sitter before we come to town?

Thanks!

Do you have a babysitter in your hometown that you could take with you?

We're traveling several thousand miles for the conference, across 8 time zones. Even if we did have someone to take along, I would not be able to afford that.

$10 an hour isn;t really very much for an experienced babysitter. Here 13/14 year olds sitting in your house for the ight earn that.

You will probablt have to go higher to find someone reliable.

Have you checked with your hotel concierge to see what they offer.

I agree w/nyt, that's what we pay for teens that just come stay at our house. I believe your expectations are unrealistic. Many more questions abound such as why are you bringing the child ? How old are they ? Etc. & where, pray tell are you coming from ?

So its a 6 yr old & she is coming from Germany. Personnally, I take my kids everywhere, but I would not take them to Vegas (& one of mine is also 6). I don't know your circumstances but I would rethink the whole thing.

I'm not sure putting an ad in the student newspaper in Vegas should be any more stressful than Texas, Chicago or Boston. UNLV is a well respected school. Here's a link to the LDS Institute of Religion at UNLV. I know they post apartments for the students, perhaps they also post job opportunities. http://www.ldsces.org/iws1/index.aspx?p=60041 Good luck!

See if there is a Kinder Care or other licensed day care facility that the hotel can refer you to. I would be hesitant to leave a child alone with a stranger. That said, your student idea may work out, as UNLV may have some kind of service offered by students.

Vegas is not a city that I'd hire a stranger to take my 6 year old around town. It's not Bryan, TX, Chicago or Boston. It's not unsafe but it is a destination based on adult entertainment. I wouldn't have made this comment but the OP is from Germany and may not understand what Vegas is. I'd leave the child at home with family or friends.

If you bring the child, call ahead to your hotel and ask them for the names and contact information for reputable sitting services. Expect to pay at least $20 per hour for someone who has been checked out criminally and is bonded.

I have family that lives in Vegas. It is a normal city once you get away from the strip.

Sigh. Seriously people. Normal, nice, honest people live in Vegas. Would I trust my child with a stranger I meet on the strip? No way. Would I trust my child with people I know in the community? Absolutely.

There are day cares around the area - here's a quick list from citysearch: http://lasvegas.citysearch.com/bestof/winners/day_care. Again, I don't have children so I can't quote prices or give recommendations.

I second Barbara's idea - that would be a good way to find someone that would be willing to work for less and can entertain a child off the strip.

We have something here called a sheriff's card that many people who babysit may have. This may give you a little more peace of mind if you find someone with one of these.

When questions of childcare on vacation arise, my reaction is that one should take the same care in hiring a babysitter on vacation as at home. Most of us at home would not hire a babysitter based on a random ad without checking references and likely most of us hire either on recommendation or have local resources to check someone out. I am always baffled how one on vacation takes less care or delegates that due diligence to some other unknown entity (like - if the hotel recommends them, they must be OK)

Usually the hotel will not reco a specific person - but an agency, that has sitters that have had their backgrounds checked and been bonded.

For that reason you won't get one for $10 an hour.

A random student - anywhere - may be fine or may not. Unless the university has a service that checks out and vouches for the student I wouldn;t just pick one from an ad - any more than at home.

I know nice people live in Las Vegas ( I actually have friends who live in Vegas) ... but they are not the people who you have to worry about.
You have to worry about the freaks who get jobs working around children ..
I would absolutely not take a 6 year old to Las Vegas and leave him alone with a stranger . period.
Surely there is someone at home, a grandparent. Anyone that you at least know?
If not, I think I would skip the conference.

I agree with everyone. My problem was the statement "Vegas is not a city that I'd hire a stranger to take my 6 year old around town". It has nothing to do with Vegas - I wouldn't hire a stranger anywhere, as everyone has stated. <stepping off of my soapbox> :)

I would concur with those who said leave the child back home. Not worth the worry or hassle.

Some resorts (not sure about Vegas) have babysitting clubs where they entertain the kids, but it's a group setting with structured activities. I would do that over a private babysitter that you don't know anything about, plus does the 6 year old speak English? Could be a problem for the babysitter.

Personally, I would leave the child at home or not come to the convention. I would never leave a child with an unknown babysitter. I would not leave a child with any child care provider that did not come with credintials, license and pervert check. If you insist on bringing your child, I would look into a child care center where your child is less likely to be harmed. Then I would do some research on that facility, call the licensing authority, do a google search, and any thing else I could think of to ensure the safety of my child. Please, leave your child safe at home or bring a relative to provide child care.

I've got to agree with grapes.

Las Vegas does have a large amount of transient residents. I'd really reconsider taking your son.

Your hotel concierge can assist you with this - it's a very common request but you will pay more than the $10 reimbursement.

I had to do this in Los Angeles. Most reputable Hotels will have a connection with a licensed bonded babysitter service. You can get info on this ahead of time and phone the person and agency to get references.