Babysitter at Reception??

We are doing the same except we're hiring 2 high schoolers to do activities with the kids. I got all kids of cute crafts on oriental trading and all kinds of games and outside toys. Want the kids to have fun also

I think it's a nice idea that parents will appreciate and so will your other guests who don't have kids with them. I was at a wedding in April where this worked well. The bride invited all children of guests, and 25 kids attended (I was skeptical - assumed it would be a disaster!). She had a separate kid's room in the venue with 3 childcare attendants.

The parents dropped them off in the room at the start of dinner and picked them up just prior to dancing. They had their own dinner, games, crafts and movies. The kids had a good time and parents had adult time. The kids were then able to join in for dancing (although many went home as it was late).

I think if you're going to invite that many kids, it's a good idea.

@Tabatha that is a good idea. I thought of getting toys and crafts too. There will be around 20 kids coming. So I wonder how many sitters I should get? 1? 2? 3?

I was the sitter at a wedding one time and the bride still gets compliments on how smart it was!!

@Emily I wondered about if kids should to dinner separate or not. The venue we are using has an area that has picnic tables near where we are setting up. It could work. On the other hand, though I don't want the kids to feel like they are not included.

I am doing something similar to what @Emily described. Our wedding is adult only but children of the wedding party and international guests are invited. DC has "entertainment childcare" service companies that do this exclusively. I am signing a contract with on of them for our wedding. At our venue, there will be two kids rooms (I am expecting 17 kids, if all of them come) with three nannies taking care of them during the duration of the wedding, 7pm-12am. The cost was VERY decent. About $600 for three nannies from 7pm-12am, and that includes them providing/coming up the entertainment for the children. I suggest looking up to see if your area has any company that provides this service, takes away the pressure of your looking for individual babysitters/nannies and planning the entertainment for the children yourself.

@Rachel that def makes me think this will be a good idea! What sort of things did you do with the kids?

@Yoomie we don't have anything like that in my area but for 3 nannies that's not a bad price for 5 hours. I would really only need someone(s) for the reception. And most likely just 3 hours. The last hour I don't think we would need someone. But I am not sure, haha.

Depends some on the age of the kids and some on how much they will play separate from their parents even with a sitter. True babysitting, I'd say 3, entertaining kids and general oversight I'd say 1-2.

This is actually a cool idea! I say go for it that way everyone can enjoy the night!

I think that's fine.

I babysat during a wedding once but it was just for the bride and groom's 11-month-old daughter. They were so demanding, i was so stressed out, it made me never want to babysit a wedding ever again.

Your situation is a bit different though. Just make sure the guests/parents don't demand too much out of those sitters

Regarding the question as to how many babysitters/nannies to hire: it depends on how many kids and their ages. As a father of two little ones, I can share that I've learned state law here (NY) requires daycare centers to have one teacher per ___ children. The number that goes in the blank depends on age. For example, from 18 months to 3 years, the ratio is 1 teacher to 5 children. For 3 years, it's 1:7. For 4-year-olds it's 1:8, 5 year-olds is 1:9. Then from 6-9 years, it's 1:10, and for 10-12 year-olds, it's 1:15.

That's basically because younger kids need more supervision and care (diaper changes, they're getting into things because they don't know any better, etc.). Older kids usually don't require as much care, so they don't need as many adults in the room.

Not saying that wedding reception babysitters have to live by the same rules as daycare centers, but just providing a rough idea of a basis for comparison. (Parents might not be happy if they arrive to find the "kid room" is in chaos because there are already too many kids for the one or two babysitters to realistically handle -- and then you wind up with kids in the main dining area that you weren't expecting.)

I think it's a good idea, even if it's just for dinner time. Many benefits:

- Parents can relax and enjoy their dinner and socialize with tablemates, rather than having to put most of their attention towards feeding their kids

- Guests without kids don't have to be annoyed by screaming children (those who haven't had kids are more likely to be less tolerant than those who have)

- Wait staff knows all the "kids meals" go to one specific room (or area) rather than trying to divvy them up by table

Just make sure you check with parents to see if they think it'll work out. Depending on their ages, some kids are very clingy and won't want to be separated from mom and dad. You don't want to plan your tables blindly assuming every child will be in the separate children's area -- it could throw-off your plans when you get the few that decide they'd rather stay glued to mommy and daddy.

Thanks, guys!!! I am for sure going to discuss this with my mom and with the parents of all the kids coming. And see what everyone's input is. I really think this is something that will benefit everyone and I am getting excited about it.

I think it's a great idea! My sisters did that a wedding a few years ago. I can't remember if they were paid but they did get a meal paid by the bride and groom

I attended a wedding last month in downtown San Diego and the bride and groom hired a company called San Diego Event Nanny. ALL the parents raved about their service. You cannot go wrong hiring someone or a professional company for the kids. Not to mention it's probably a lot funner for the kids too. These kids definitely looked like they were having a great time. Very thoughtful of the bride.