Hotel childcare from Baby Sitters' Guild

Why it is on the list

Baby Sitters' Guild has looked after the children of New York hotel guests since 1940, and The Carlyle, The Baccarat and The Greenwich Hotel are among its partners.¹² It is still family-run: Maria Davalos, whose mother Heidi Davalos owned it before her, is the chief executive.³ Its sitters are employees rather than contractors, insured, CPR and first-aid certified, and chosen after a background check, an in-person interview, a skills test and references; they stay with the agency more than seven years on average.² A sitter comes to the room with toys and games, can stay late or overnight, and for $50 more takes the children out: a museum, the Central Park Zoo, ice skating.¹ Sitters who speak other languages, and sitters for children with special needs, can be requested.²

It is the wrong call for a child who needs regular care over a long stay: the agency's nanny placement service handles that, and a placed nanny is hired by the family, not employed by the agency.²

How to get it

Ask your hotel's concierge, or book directly on the reservations page; a hotel need not be a partner.² For anything within 48 hours, overnight, or for a child with special needs, call +1 212 682 0227 or write to info@babysittersguild.com; the office answers from 9am to 9pm every day and takes emergencies outside those hours.⁴⁵ A day's notice gives the best match of sitter.¹ Every booking is at least four hours, is charged in full to a card 48 hours before it starts, and is then non-refundable; extra hours, and a transport charge for care ending before 9am or after 9pm, are added afterwards.²⁴ Holidays cost more, and New Year's Eve carries a $250 fee that is not refunded.²

Discretion

Partner hotels have their own booking page for the concierge, so the arrangement can go through the front desk.¹ The sitter is not usually introduced beforehand; a short call or meeting can be arranged for $25, credited to the booking.² Sitters send a written report of the time with the children.²