Ask the Expert: Summer Childcare with SMS Raleigh

Summer is a time when kids go to track out camps, summer camps, enjoy play groups and some even continue with year-round school. Most summers, we can cover childcare fairly easily – but COVID-19 is causing this summer to look a lot different. 

That’s why we sat down with Kaley and Emily, sisters and co-owners of SMS Raleigh, to chat about what parents should consider when thinking about childcare during this season. SMS is a babysitting service that connects families with local sitters by balancing online convivence with personal experience to make sure parents are comfortable with their childcare solution.

We’re sharing our 12-minute conversation in the video below, but here are a few takeaways that may be helpful as you and your family navigate childcare solutions this summer.  

Key takeaways: 

• Try to limit exposure by limiting the number of sitters coming in and out of the house. 

• Setting clear expectations is key to a successful experience. Make sure you set rules or “deal breakers” for sitters and for your family. 

• If hiring a sitting service, make sure they conduct personal interviews, run background checks, look at driving records and ensure sitters are CPR certified.

• Have back up options! Make sure that you have more than one sitter or childcare provider lined up in case plan A falls through. 

• As always, check with a pediatrician for best practices for in-home care, especially if you have underlying health concerns.

• When interviewing a potential babysitter consider asking:

  • Are you following the CDC guidelines?

  • Are you evaluating symptoms and making sure to take care of your health?

  • How many other families are you caring for? Or, how many other kids are you exposed to?

  • If caring for others, are those sitters social distancing? 

Thank you to Emily and Kaley for taking time out of your schedules to share this information with us!