“I started it for selfish reasons… I needed a babysitter!” says Amy van Weelderen, founder of Lullaby League, a service that connects busy families with high-quality babysitters in a way similar to speed dating. ” Amy’s only sitter was out of town during her wedding anniversary. She and her husband had lovely romatic dinner – with 5-year-old son Jasper in tow. Although the evening was great, “I knew then and there that I needed help with childcare and Lullaby League was born!”

Focusing on the part-time or occasional babysitting jobs, Lullaby League hosts hour long “mixers” for parents to meet and interview dozens of fantastic sitters who are mostly university and college students. At each event, parents have dozens of three- to four-minute “mini interviews” with the candidates. “They  can chat, ask questions and get a feel for each other…it is one-on-one, face-to-face time and no better way to get to know someone.” When the mixer is over, parents contact the sitters directly.

While Lullaby League doesn’t pre-screen the candidates or complete background checks (parents will have to do that themselves), the service is a great way for parents to meet and interview a batch of sitters all at one time – perfect for busy families. “We all love our kids, but things happen and we need babysitters from time to time,” says Amy. “How else are you going to meet dozens of sitters in an hour?”

Parents pay a $50 fee (+GST) to participate in an event and have access to the candidates resumes, which the parents are to keep confidential. Sitters attend for free.  Pre-registration is required – and recommended since events sell out quickly.

Here are some upcoming events:

• Tuesday, October 27th at 7:30pm at Caramel Salon, 2342 Granville St, Vancouver
• Tuesday, November 10th at 7:00 at Jack and Lola, 135 W 1st St., North Vancouver
• Tuesday, November 24th at 7:30pm at Caramel Salon, 2342 Granville St, Vancouver

Lullaby League

www.lullabyleague.ca | info [at] lullabyleague.ca