Saddle Sitters Changes The Child Care Experience In Wellington
By Jennifer Wood
While she is only 24 years old, Chayse Wachtel has more than a decade of child care experience. Paired with her lifetime love of horses, Wachtel has merged her passions to create Saddle Sitters, a new Wellington-based company catering to the equestrian industry by providing concierge child care.
By taking on the difficult parts of hiring, researching and payment, Saddle Sitters makes finding the right caretaker for your child a pleasant and fulfilling experience.
Wachtel noticed a need at horse shows, especially when she was a full-time nanny for a professional family at the Winter Equestrian Festival last season.
“I saw parents passing their children to grooms or to other parents there watching their own children show. I also saw a big need for teen chaperones for the older children traveling to the shows alone without their parents,” she recalled. “I truly believe that trainers should have one responsibility, and that is training the riders while they’re on their horses. Thousands of equestrians are coming and going from all over the world, in and out all day long, in Wellington. I saw a big need for professional childcare and chaperoning throughout the circuit to keep these children safe at all times.”
At the tender age of 13, Wachtel was a mother’s helper and weekend babysitter. For the past seven years, she has been a full-time nanny, working to help support her love of horses and riding.
“My favorite thing about taking care of children is the bond I make between myself and the children,” she said. “The excitement of when I walk in and the kids are running to jump in my arms really makes me feel like I have done my job the right way. It is the most amazing feeling in the world!”
Wachtel created Saddle Sitters in order to help families find reliable, trustworthy help, allowing professionals in the equine industry to relax in the saddle knowing that their child is safe. She finds care providers that are informed about the industry, knowing the unusual schedule and long hours that come with it.
All Saddle Sitters care providers are thoroughly screened via background checks, driving records and references. In addition, each caregiver is current on their pediatric CPR, AED and first aid certifications. Temporary, full-time or seasonal care professionals are available to work one-on-one with families for the full duration of a show and beyond. To ensure the safety of clients and care providers, Wachtel developed a security system that will allow parents to monitor their children and caretakers at any point during the day.
“What sets us apart is that we are dedicated to the equine industry,” she said. “We have a non-disclosure policy and understand the needs of parents who ride and work at the horse shows. But, of course, we can help any other family in need in the area. I take pride in helping families, and it is an honor that families trust me to help them.”
