Can a backup-care family require one specific sitter?
A named sitter may be a preference, but a guarantee changes the service promise. Explain whether backup care means the agency will offer an available qualified caregiver or whether it is reserving one person's time. If the family needs reliable continuity, discuss a recurring or guaranteed-hours arrangement instead of selling ordinary backup care as a personal reservation.
What if the family met the nanny through the agency and wants a custom backup role?
Map how the introduction happened and what the existing agreement says about repeat bookings or conversion to a placement. Define the new schedule, who confirms each shift, cancellation rules, and whether the agency is providing ongoing coordination. Quote the fee for the actual service rather than fitting it into a standard package that does not describe the work.
How should variable overnight needs be scoped?
Separate hours the family wants guaranteed from hours it may request later. Put notice windows, availability, overnight expectations, travel, and changes in writing, then check that the proposed arrangement works for the caregiver. Do not promise one person can cover an unpredictable schedule without confirming capacity and applicable employment terms.
When should the agency redirect the request?
If the family's need is predictable, repeated, or dependent on one caregiver, offer a recurring-search or direct-hire discussion. If the need is genuinely occasional, state the limits of availability and substitution. This protects the family from relying on a promise the backup-care model cannot reliably meet.
Can a backup-care family request a particular sitter for every booking?
The family can express a preference, but the agency should distinguish a preference from guaranteed access to one person. Explain how requests are assigned, how availability is confirmed, and what happens when that sitter declines or is unavailable. Repeated exclusive requests may call for a separate recurring role or placement agreement.
Should on-call caregivers promise a minimum number of hours?
Decide whether the service needs true on-call availability, a regular shift commitment, or an optional booking pool. Document the expected notice, response, cancellation, and scheduling rules before asking for a commitment. If the agency controls a worker’s availability, have the employment and pay arrangement reviewed for the jurisdictions involved; a label alone does not settle those obligations.