You Can't Get Any Cheaper Than Free! The Ultimate CL Ad!

[cheerfuldom]

I am curious, is there anybody that knows of a person that has done free daycare (not random babysitting) for someone other than a relative? or very close friend? I don't. And I dont trust strangers who offer to do things for me for free. Never, ever had one experience that the "free" was not really a ruse for something else.

[momofboys]

I am curious, is there anybody that knows of a person that has done free daycare (not random babysitting) for someone other than a relative? or very close friend? I don't. And I dont trust strangers who offer to do things for me for free. Never, ever had one experience that the "free" was not really a ruse for something else.

I have done it for a good friend but no not for a stranger. I'd only consider leaving my kids with a "Stranger" if I had called references, saw their background check & went through a thorough interview.

[Blackcat31]

I am curious, is there anybody that knows of a person that has done free daycare (not random babysitting) for someone other than a relative? or very close friend? I don't. And I dont trust strangers who offer to do things for me for free. Never, ever had one experience that the "free" was not really a ruse for something else.

Yes. I know of a licensed child care provider who does extra hours in the evenings and weekends for free.

I also know a grandmotherly woman who lives across the street from my daycare that often takes in SA kids after school and sometimes in the summer simply for something to do.

There really are nice people out there still who have good intentions.

[momofboys]

If she's genuine then I think she's going about this the wrong way. She would get more "clients" if she worked through her church. She should talk to her pastor and let him know to give her information out to people that he feels will benefit from what she's offering. I'm sure that she has good intentions but she'll just scare serious people away (because you have to admit, it's a bit odd) and just asking to be taken for granted by the people that do contact her.

[TBird]

We had an older neighborhood lady who taught Red Cross swim lessons in her own private home pool, FOR FREE every summer. The only thing we had to pay for was the $1.50 Red Cross fee for printing up the Certification Card. She taught all different levels up to lifeguard. She just loved swimming, staying active & giving back. It's rare...but not impossible.

Now for the FREE babysitting....UH UH!!! Miss New/Old Christian would need some references. Her CL's ad sounds confusing, like it's on a 'whim'. I would need something a little more solid for my life's blood, ya know???

[Unregistered]

Risky but Smart. Theory: Qualifies as non-profit and religious so legally exempt from regulations. Donations often exceed services used and the money is then tax free. Same principle the churches use.

[wdmmom]

RED FLAGS EVERYWHERE!!!

This is when I would use my judgment and I'd rather pay for what I know than accept the free I don't know.

Just because you go to church doesn't make you a qualified person to watch my children!!!

[Hunni Bee]

Doesn't sound right to me. I dont doubt that she is doing it out of the kindness of her heart, but she sounds incredibly naive, which is always a red flag.

Plus she has no references and no experience, which probably means she has no training. Accident waiting to happen.

ETA: I see it says she has an associate in childcare. If she's been subbing for the past five years, her degree is probably older than that. I would suggest she go back and take a couple relevant trainings and be very careful. I dont think she'll put anyone out of business, but she will attract all the desperate parents and wild kids you ladies turn down.

[MyAngels]

These things tend to bring out the skeptic in me, too, but this could be her way of getting some references, since she states she has not done any babysitting before. Kind of like what people experience when coming out of college - employers want experience, but how are you supposed to get that experience without someone hiring you?

Plus, maybe she figures she'll make more if she accepts "donations." Nobody wants to look cheap, so maybe she's thinking they'll actually pay more than what she might charge if she set a specific rate .