Hewlett resident creates the Baby Sitters Club of the Five Towns

The coronavirus epidemic threw people’s lives into disarray in mid-March of last year, and it has continued to cause severe interruptions of everything from going to work, school and summer activities such as camp. Many parents, especially during the summer, require assistance in watching their children on busy days.

Isabella Santos, who graduated Hewlett High School in June, thought that the neighborhood needed a babysitting service. With that idea in mind, she created The Baby Sitters Club of Five Towns.

“I had read the ‘Baby-Sitter Club’ book series, and I felt it was something we needed in the community, since a lot of kids have nannies, but don’t have that extra support,” said the Hewlett resident. “It’s also a great money maker, and something that was really needed.” The “Baby-Sitter Club” book series was written by Ann M. Martin.

Santos’ company provides babysitters and mother’s helpers across Long Island, with the majority of her employees being vaccinated, lifeguard qualified, and certified in cardio pulmonary resuscitation.

They work with children of all ages and ensure that the youngsters they are babysitting have a good time. “In the past how it started out was that I was the first one who babysat, and over time if people needed hours that I wasn’t available for, it turned more into a business,” Santos said. “Now we have a general number that you can text to ask questions about the requirements you need.”

Santos said that the rates she charges depend on the situation. Babysitting one child is $10 an hour, and babysitting two children is twice as much for the same time period.

“Sometimes it’s discounted depending on how many children there are [per family], for example we aren’t going to charge $50 an hour for a family of five kids,” she said.

Alexis Owens appreciates the help Santos’ business offers. “I have four children, all different ages, [ranging from two to 12] so they require a lot of attention, so I feel the babysitters offered are able to cater to all the different ages,” Owens said.

The Baby-Sitting Club business has been a benefit to Owens’ family. “Our babysitter [Santos] attended a vacation with us where her skills were really utilized and appreciated. It was a super helpful, monumental [experience] to our family.”

Santos rolled up her sleeves as a mother’s helper on that trip. “I would wake up the kids, help them get ready in the morning for whatever activity was that day, take them when they had to go to the bathroom, or if their parents wanted to go out, I would watch them at the pool or in their rooms depending on what they wanted to do at the time,” she said.

Owens strongly endorsed Santos’ services. “I would recommend this business a thousand percent,” Owens said. “I think if a family is looking for quality childcare, then that business is a go to. If a family is looking for support in having their children looked after when they aren’t available then I think this business provides good hands, and they have an open line of communication, which is very important.”

Santos said that she is planning on continuing this growing business as she begins Davidson College in North Carolina and takes on a pre-med major with a public health minor. Contact the Baby Sitters Club of the Five Towns at (917) 600-0715.