Safety Guidelines
Our mission is to help new parents thrive in their roles as parents and for Baby Helpers to find more opportunities to help local families. With these goals in mind, here are some tips for everyone to stay safe.
1. Conduct your own background check.
We recommend that every family run a background check on the Baby Helper they have interviewed and plan to hire. This way, every family can get copies of the reports with up to date information sent directly to them (instead of a potentially outdated generic check mark next to a profile that was conducted almost a year ago). You can conduct background searches with many companies online with fast turnaround times (sometimes within a few days).
*** Ella for Parents currently does not run background checks on the Baby Helpers listed on the website.
2. Ensure your own safety and meet the Parent(s) or Baby Helper in a public place before a visit.
We understand that there are circumstances where you may not be able to meet with the Parent or Baby Helper in advance before your scheduled care. However, we think it is the best way to make sure you are a good fit but also to make sure you feel comfortable and safe with the person. Scheduling a 30 minute coffee meet-up or video call is a great idea for everyone involved.
3. Share information with loved ones.
Parents and Baby Helpers should both share information about who they will be meeting (full name, location, contact information) to a trusted individual nearby. This person should check in during and after the visit to confirm that the Parent or Baby Helper is safe.
4. Confirm details.
Please make sure that the person(s) you are meeting with matches their picture(s) on the Ella for Parents™ website and have them confirm name before opening the door or entering. Always double check the address on the door (number of the home and street name) before ringing the doorbell to make sure you are at the right address.
5. If you are the Parent, get the Baby Helper’s Car Information.
If your Baby Helper will be arriving by private transportation, ask for their car model, car color and license plate information. This will help you confirm that the person you let into your garage/home is the right person. Share this driving information with trusted individuals so that this information is available should the need arise.
6. Trust Your Gut.
No one is obligated to hire a Baby Helper or to accept a request for scheduled care by a Parent. Again, we recommend Parents and Baby Helpers to meet with each other in a public place such as a coffee shop or at the very least, schedule a video call, before scheduling a visit. Please report any safety issues to Ella for Parents™ by emailing support@ellaforparents.com so we are aware of any suspicious activity by Parent(s) or Baby Helper(s). Always call 911 for emergency situations. Contact Ella for Parents™ about the issue only when you are in a safe location and have already received emergency help.