MBs: would you leave a 5 star review on care.com in this instance?

[Anonymous]

I am trying to build up positive reviews on my care.com profile. Last June, I accepted a one-day-per-week (8 hour shift) position with a family I met through care.com. Shortly after hiring me, I asked if they might be willing to leave a review for me on there, after working with them for a bit. They said "of course."

I worked with them for four months. I showed up on time every day, never called out sick, did everything they asked of me, and they told me they were very happy with my care of their son. After four months, I was offered a full time position that conflicted with their needs. I specifically told the new family that I wouldn't be able to work with them on that particular day for a full month so that I could give the first family ample opportunity to replace me. I told the (first) family right away so they would have the full months notice; I offered to help them find my replacement, which they said they were open to. I chatted around with nannies at the local playgroups and library story times, and was able to send two nannies to interview with them, and they hired one of the nannies I sent over, and she has apparently been working out well for the last several months. I told the family that I was still open to working with them on evenings or weekends if they needed.

I hadn't heard from them since my last day (early November), until the mom texted me yesterday, asking if I could babysit her son for a Saturday night in a few weeks, and I said I could. Today, I logged into care.com (still looking to pick up extra weekend shifts), and realized she never did leave me a review, and that now might be a good time to ask her (she's had time to get over the initial sting of the fact that I quit, and clearly thinks well enough of me to hire me again). I started typing out a text to request a care.com review from her, but then I stopped and thought, maybe she won't leave me 5 stars because I quit after 4 months?

MBs: if you were in a similar situation, and hired a nanny for very part time hours (8 per week) and then she left after 4 months, but still gave a full months notice AND helped find her replacement, would that impact the review you might leave for her on care.com? Or would you still leave 5 stars anyway if you thought she did a great job?

I'm open to input from other nannies too, if you have anything to add. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Yes. I would. I wouldn't leave a review at all if I couldn't leave a good one.

[Anonymous]

Ask her to leave a 5 star review or nothing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes. I would. I wouldn't leave a review at all if I couldn't leave a good one.

Well that is pretty pointless then. Why have a rating system if only the good gets posted.

[Anonymous]

MB here. Sure, I'd leave a great review with those particulars.

Whether I'd use 4 vs. 5 stars I don't really know - I rarely give "perfect" scores (it's the teacher in me) but I'd certainly write some very detailed and positive things about things that really matter to me - punctuality, reliability, professionalism, etc...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ask her to leave a 5 star review or nothing.

No. If you do an all or nothing gambit, you'll either be left with nothing, or you will get a lower rating and details about it in the review. Unfortunately, once reviews are up, nannies can't have them taken down without the family's permission, all they can do is rebut.

[Anonymous]

OP, I understand your dilemma. Since there is a slight chance she might not leave you a five star review, I think what I would do if I were in your situation is use the babysitting money she will eventually give you to pay for the background check badge on your care dot com profile. Parents like seeing that badge on a potential sitters profile just as much as they like seeing the positive reviews.

Signed, a part-time nanny.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I understand your dilemma. Since there is a slight chance she might not leave you a five star review, I think what I would do if I were in your situation is use the babysitting money she will eventually give you to pay for the background check badge on your care dot com profile. Parents like seeing that badge on a potential sitters profile just as much as they like seeing the positive reviews.

Signed, a part-time nanny.

I'm a parent who uses care.com occasionally and I think this is a great idea. It's true that I value seeing that background checks are on file - it shows me that the person has nothing to hide, and likely has a spotless check if they're willing to post it.

I do also value the reviews of course, but doing something you actually can control seems like a great idea.

[Anonymous]

I am not positive about this, but perhaps they have had their membership inactive for awhile.

Parents usually do this once they no longer need childcare. Maybe this is what happened. Regardless I wouldn't ask her directly since this might appear a bit pushy.

I am sure one less review won't put you out.