How to ask for phone number? / babysitting request

DS graduated Early Intervention this summer, he was going to a center based program.
The program had a head teacher in the class and every child had an assistant teacher, and class ended every day at 1pm.

I was thinking - he got along sort of with the various TAs (they rotated them around) maybe they can help babysit after school once in a while.

I should have thought of this sooner and spoken with them before he stopped going to the school.

But how should I go about this now?

Should I email the head instructor and say:
"Can I get the contact info for Linda, Bonnie and Susan, I want to ask if they can babysit" (problem with this is they might not be allowed to work outside of the school)
or
"DS wants to keep in touch with Linda, Bonnie and Susan, can I get their contact info?" (but this is a bit of a lie)

Once I get their email/number should I come straight out and say "We might need babysitting help in the future, would you be willing and how much?"

Last year when we needed help (3x a week from 3-6pm) we found someone for $25 an hour. But she just sat on the couch on her phone and let the kids watch tv. But my wife said "what do you expect for $25 an hour"

I'm thinking the TAs might interact with the kids more.

and is 25/hour an ok price?

Thanks

Message edited 10/18/2019 9:44:16 AM.

Re: How to ask for phone number? / babysitting request

No advice on how to contact them.

But $25 is a very good price.

What does your wife think is a better amount? Because if it's more, I'll do it!

Re: How to ask for phone number? / babysitting request

Posted by MsSissy

No advice on how to contact them.

But $25 is a very good price.

What does your wife think is a better amount? Because if it's more, I'll do it!

Message edited 10/18/2019 10:03:28 AM.

How to ask for phone number? / babysitting request

I would email the head and say something like "I was hoping you could forward my contact info to X, Y, and Z. I needed to contact them regarding a question and I don't have their phone numbers. If you could ask them to call or email me, my info is ...."

I don't like it when people give out my contact info. I'd rather get theirs and then contact them myself.

And, I think $25/hour is too much money for babysitting -- that person was clearly taking advantage of you!

How to ask for phone number? / babysitting request

Not sure what you expect them to do but $25 is a very high price.

Maybe email the director and see if you can visit. I would then visit the office and speak to the director first and see if you can ask for their information.

Re: How to ask for phone number? / babysitting request

$25/hr to babysit is a lot! I pay $15-20 and the $20/hr drives my children, does hw with them, and makes dinner. No way would I pay more for sitting on the couch!

Re: How to ask for phone number? / babysitting request

$25 is a lot .... I'd just email the teacher letting them know you are interested in finding a babysitter and was wondering if she can relay the info to those TA's, and in case they are interested, to contact you.

How to ask for phone number? / babysitting request

Thanks for the replies everyone.
As for the price per hour, it involved:
1. Picking up daughter from school (her school is 5 blocks away)
2. watching DD and DS
3. Heating up frozen pizza or microwaving dinner that my wife made

No showering kids, no cooking (just heating)

The main thing is we're in Manhattan and my wife says her coworkers pay more per hour for nannys (including 2 weeks paid vacations and so on)
Heck I read somewhere that nannys in nyc should expect like a salary of 80k a year.

*shrug*

Message edited 10/18/2019 10:30:30 AM.

Re: How to ask for phone number? / babysitting request

Re: How to ask for phone number? / babysitting request

I think you got good advice on how to get their contact info.

My advice: Don't come out and offer $25.

If you get in touch with the teachers, ask THEM what they charge for babysitting services that involve the things you need.

How to ask for phone number? / babysitting request

Thanks everyone.
So for the items the person needs to do:
1. Pick up DD from school (5 blocks/streets away)
2. Pick up DS from bus (bus stops in front of apartment)
3. Watch them for 3-4 hours
4. Heat up dinner (frozen pizza or leftovers)

What is a good price?
25 is a lot, so $20?

Thanks

Re: How to ask for phone number? / babysitting request

Re: How to ask for phone number? / babysitting request

How to ask for phone number? / babysitting request

I would go back to visit and ask in person. I wouldn’t ask the director.

I think $25 is on the high end of normal but not unheard of in the city.