Comments on: How to Start a Babysitting Co-op | Part 1 http://www.frugal-mama.com/2010/02/how-to-start-a-babysitting-co-op-part-1/ How to save money and make life better Sun, 05 Feb 2012 04:48:23 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Reader Story: How We Started Our Own Babysitting Exchange — Frugal Mama http://www.frugal-mama.com/2010/02/how-to-start-a-babysitting-co-op-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-4575 Reader Story: How We Started Our Own Babysitting Exchange — Frugal Mama Thu, 10 Nov 2011 19:08:26 +0000 http://www.frugal-mama.com/?p=1403#comment-4575 [...] post by reader, Julie James. I like how Julie tells it straight — she doesn’t sugarcoat babysitting c0-ops or gloss over pitfalls. But judging from her online point-tracking system, which I looked over, her [...] [...] post by reader, Julie James. I like how Julie tells it straight — she doesn’t sugarcoat babysitting c0-ops or gloss over pitfalls. But judging from her online point-tracking system, which I looked over, her [...]

]]> By: Erica http://www.frugal-mama.com/2010/02/how-to-start-a-babysitting-co-op-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-1754 Erica Wed, 09 Feb 2011 22:29:51 +0000 http://www.frugal-mama.com/?p=1403#comment-1754 Great post! I'm a mom in a babysitting co-op myself and was frustrated with the lack of high-quality sites out there to manage co-ops. So, I created one myself. It's called Sitting Around and will be launching next month. We're going to be giving the first 500 people to sign up free membership for life. If you're interested, you (or any of your readers) can go to http://sittingaround.com and leave your email address -- when we launch, I'll send out an invite code for free membership. Erica (Sitting Around founder) Great post! I’m a mom in a babysitting co-op myself and was frustrated with the lack of high-quality sites out there to manage co-ops. So, I created one myself. It’s called Sitting Around and will be launching next month.

We’re going to be giving the first 500 people to sign up free membership for life. If you’re interested, you (or any of your readers) can go to http://sittingaround.com and leave your email address — when we launch, I’ll send out an invite code for free membership.

Erica (Sitting Around founder)

]]> By: Amy http://www.frugal-mama.com/2010/02/how-to-start-a-babysitting-co-op-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-1686 Amy Wed, 19 Jan 2011 01:09:46 +0000 http://www.frugal-mama.com/?p=1403#comment-1686 Hey Laura, I really appreciate your writing and telling me more about your babysitting co-op. I'm always interested in how other co-ops work and what systems they use. Again, thanks for writing in and offering to share your tips! Sincerely, Amy Hey Laura,

I really appreciate your writing and telling me more about your babysitting co-op. I’m always interested in how other co-ops work and what systems they use.

Again, thanks for writing in and offering to share your tips!

Sincerely,
Amy

]]> By: 5 Keys to Spending Less and Living Well — Frugal Mama http://www.frugal-mama.com/2010/02/how-to-start-a-babysitting-co-op-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-1658 5 Keys to Spending Less and Living Well — Frugal Mama Thu, 13 Jan 2011 20:28:35 +0000 http://www.frugal-mama.com/?p=1403#comment-1658 [...] swaps, babysitting parties, babysitting co-ops, co-operative [...] [...] swaps, babysitting parties, babysitting co-ops, co-operative [...]

]]> By: laurabootsy http://www.frugal-mama.com/2010/02/how-to-start-a-babysitting-co-op-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-1621 laurabootsy Tue, 11 Jan 2011 12:22:13 +0000 http://www.frugal-mama.com/?p=1403#comment-1621 Hi. I am in a babysitting co-op in Astoria, Queens, that has been running for probably 9 years now, tho I've only been in it for four. We were on the brink of collapse, due to the onerousness of dealing with a paper-based accounting system, so we dragged ourselves into the 21st centuray by putting everything up on a blog (which is private, contact me if you want to see it, but here is a sample of our sit report form https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?authkey=CK2U6J0O&formkey=dHMxenpET09fSXFNbVpRNFBGQnpVM2c6MA#gid=0), google docs (here is our main spreadsheet: https://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=0AolCKPZRzYyadHMxenpET09fSXFNbVpRNFBGQnpVM2c&output=html) and we use 30boxes to issue sit requests. I don't mean to brag, but we've reviewed most of the on-line solutions available and we decided it just worked for us better to create our own. Happy to discuss, just contact me if you have any questions. Hi. I am in a babysitting co-op in Astoria, Queens, that has been running for probably 9 years now, tho I’ve only been in it for four. We were on the brink of collapse, due to the onerousness of dealing with a paper-based accounting system, so we dragged ourselves into the 21st centuray by putting everything up on a blog (which is private, contact me if you want to see it, but here is a sample of our sit report form https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?authkey=CK2U6J0O&formkey=dHMxenpET09fSXFNbVpRNFBGQnpVM2c6MA#gid=0), google docs (here is our main spreadsheet: https://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=0AolCKPZRzYyadHMxenpET09fSXFNbVpRNFBGQnpVM2c&output=html) and we use 30boxes to issue sit requests. I don’t mean to brag, but we’ve reviewed most of the on-line solutions available and we decided it just worked for us better to create our own. Happy to discuss, just contact me if you have any questions.
laurabootsy´s last post ..For People Interested in our Babysitting Co-op

]]> By: Amy http://www.frugal-mama.com/2010/02/how-to-start-a-babysitting-co-op-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-632 Amy Fri, 23 Jul 2010 01:31:28 +0000 http://www.frugal-mama.com/?p=1403#comment-632 Hi Kat, Thanks so much for all your great input and enthusiasm! I agree by-lawa, or at the least guidelines, are a good idea. I need to write part 3 and get some more info up here! Amy Hi Kat,

Thanks so much for all your great input and enthusiasm! I agree by-lawa, or at the least guidelines, are a good idea. I need to write part 3 and get some more info up here!

Amy

]]> By: Kat http://www.frugal-mama.com/2010/02/how-to-start-a-babysitting-co-op-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-630 Kat Fri, 23 Jul 2010 00:50:38 +0000 http://www.frugal-mama.com/?p=1403#comment-630 Hi there, I've coordinated an extremely successful babysitting co-op for 4 years (anniversary August 7!). We average 15 members, and have had over 2,000 sits. I started it with by-laws (very important!) and emergency documents, etc. It's a closed co-0p and you can only join by recommendation of a member and interview by 2 other members who don't know that person. We've never had one issue. The spreadsheet you shared seems really tedious. I would suggest using some simple equations in Excel. We're a military city, with lots of sits, but easier is better. We have never done coupons and are SO THANKFUL for that! I couldn't imagine keeping up with more stuff. Each member has a folder and keeps all the kids information/forms/sit total sheets in it. After each sit, the points are emailed to the coordinator. I encourage everyone out there to do this! It's the best thing ever. I started it when my husband was deployed and I can't express how blessed I am! We ask members who want evening sits to swap with another member, but in 4 years, we've only not been able to fill 2 day sits! It really has to do with selecting the right individuals. And, as for a name, I just used the area we live in - Greater Randolph Area Babysitting Co-op. No one uses that, however. We go by "GRABSCO". We've had 25 very happy members over the past 4 years (military city = lots of moving, so 10 of our members have left throughout the years). Happy co-opping, everyone! Hi there,
I’ve coordinated an extremely successful babysitting co-op for 4 years (anniversary August 7!). We average 15 members, and have had over 2,000 sits. I started it with by-laws (very important!) and emergency documents, etc. It’s a closed co-0p and you can only join by recommendation of a member and interview by 2 other members who don’t know that person. We’ve never had one issue.

The spreadsheet you shared seems really tedious. I would suggest using some simple equations in Excel. We’re a military city, with lots of sits, but easier is better. We have never done coupons and are SO THANKFUL for that! I couldn’t imagine keeping up with more stuff. Each member has a folder and keeps all the kids information/forms/sit total sheets in it. After each sit, the points are emailed to the coordinator.

I encourage everyone out there to do this! It’s the best thing ever. I started it when my husband was deployed and I can’t express how blessed I am! We ask members who want evening sits to swap with another member, but in 4 years, we’ve only not been able to fill 2 day sits! It really has to do with selecting the right individuals.

And, as for a name, I just used the area we live in – Greater Randolph Area Babysitting Co-op. No one uses that, however. We go by “GRABSCO”. We’ve had 25 very happy members over the past 4 years (military city = lots of moving, so 10 of our members have left throughout the years).

Happy co-opping, everyone!

]]> By: Amy http://www.frugal-mama.com/2010/02/how-to-start-a-babysitting-co-op-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-475 Amy Sat, 15 May 2010 01:04:56 +0000 http://www.frugal-mama.com/?p=1403#comment-475 Wonderful, thank you so much Ariah! I'll incorporate it into the main body of the article now. Wonderful, thank you so much Ariah! I’ll incorporate it into the main body of the article now.

]]> By: Ariah Fine http://www.frugal-mama.com/2010/02/how-to-start-a-babysitting-co-op-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-465 Ariah Fine Wed, 12 May 2010 20:59:16 +0000 http://www.frugal-mama.com/?p=1403#comment-465 Here, I've posted the spreadsheet again, I think anyone should be able to edit/download it themselves from this link: https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AtLJDXrKZ1f3dHVGS0U4NkFRdWd1X1QtZHF0bEpmWUE&hl=en Or http://bit.ly/coopspreadsheet Here, I’ve posted the spreadsheet again, I think anyone should be able to edit/download it themselves from this link:
https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AtLJDXrKZ1f3dHVGS0U4NkFRdWd1X1QtZHF0bEpmWUE&hl=en

Or

http://bit.ly/coopspreadsheet

]]> By: Molly http://www.frugal-mama.com/2010/02/how-to-start-a-babysitting-co-op-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-464 Molly Wed, 12 May 2010 20:46:40 +0000 http://www.frugal-mama.com/?p=1403#comment-464 I'd really like a copy of the spreadsheet as well! Thanks for the great ideas! I’d really like a copy of the spreadsheet as well! Thanks for the great ideas!

]]> By: Aparna http://www.frugal-mama.com/2010/02/how-to-start-a-babysitting-co-op-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-455 Aparna Fri, 07 May 2010 15:22:34 +0000 http://www.frugal-mama.com/?p=1403#comment-455 I'd love to receive a copy of your sample spreadsheet - in excel format. I hope I can start something up with a few of my firends...this has been so informative :) Thank you! I’d love to receive a copy of your sample spreadsheet – in excel format. I hope I can start something up with a few of my firends…this has been so informative :) Thank you!

]]> By: How to Start a Babysitting Co-op | Part 2 — Frugal Mama http://www.frugal-mama.com/2010/02/how-to-start-a-babysitting-co-op-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-383 How to Start a Babysitting Co-op | Part 2 — Frugal Mama Thu, 08 Apr 2010 01:38:09 +0000 http://www.frugal-mama.com/?p=1403#comment-383 [...] Part 1 of How to Start a Babysitting Co-op, I talked about defining the boundaries of your group, picking a co-leader and a name, deciding who [...] [...] Part 1 of How to Start a Babysitting Co-op, I talked about defining the boundaries of your group, picking a co-leader and a name, deciding who [...]

]]> By: Erin http://www.frugal-mama.com/2010/02/how-to-start-a-babysitting-co-op-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-370 Erin Sun, 04 Apr 2010 16:50:18 +0000 http://www.frugal-mama.com/?p=1403#comment-370 I am interested in the receiving a copy of your sample spreadsheet. Thank you so much for this website. It has been very informative. I am trying to start my own coop, and so far I've found your website the most informative, especially on how to tally/spend points. Thank you. I am interested in the receiving a copy of your sample spreadsheet. Thank you so much for this website. It has been very informative. I am trying to start my own coop, and so far I’ve found your website the most informative, especially on how to tally/spend points. Thank you.

]]> By: Christie Robertson http://www.frugal-mama.com/2010/02/how-to-start-a-babysitting-co-op-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-362 Christie Robertson Wed, 31 Mar 2010 21:37:36 +0000 http://www.frugal-mama.com/?p=1403#comment-362 Thanks for the great article. My parents' group wants to start a babysitting co-op, and I'd love to get a copy of the spreadsheet in Excel format please. Thanks for the great article. My parents’ group wants to start a babysitting co-op, and I’d love to get a copy of the spreadsheet in Excel format please.

]]> By: Amy http://www.frugal-mama.com/2010/02/how-to-start-a-babysitting-co-op-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-361 Amy Wed, 31 Mar 2010 13:21:13 +0000 http://www.frugal-mama.com/?p=1403#comment-361 Hi Ariah, Thanks for letting me know about problem downloading the Google spreadsheet. Now people can leave me a comment here and I will send you a copy of the spreadsheet. Please specify if you want Excel or Open Office format. Hi Ariah, Thanks for letting me know about problem downloading the Google spreadsheet. Now people can leave me a comment here and I will send you a copy of the spreadsheet. Please specify if you want Excel or Open Office format.

]]> By: ariah fine http://www.frugal-mama.com/2010/02/how-to-start-a-babysitting-co-op-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-357 ariah fine Sun, 28 Mar 2010 20:52:29 +0000 http://www.frugal-mama.com/?p=1403#comment-357 I'm really interested in the google docs spreadsheet you posted. However, I can't seem to figure out how to download it. Any chance you can just email it to me? I’m really interested in the google docs spreadsheet you posted. However, I can’t seem to figure out how to download it. Any chance you can just email it to me?

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