How does it work?

Sitters: To be a part of our network, all sitters must fill out an intake form to learn more about their childcare experience, special skills, and what they’re looking for. You’ll have a 15-minute call where we learn more about your background. All sitters must pass a criminal background check. Then, you’ll be matched with amazing families. You won’t be charged for the background check until after you’ve completed your first booking. All payment is made through us, but there are no added fees.

Families: All families must fill out an intake form to learn about their little ones and what they’re looking for in a sitter. Then, you’ll have a 15-minute call to learn more and ensure I have all the information to match you with a perfect sitter. Then, you’ll be matched with amazing sitters who fit your needs.

What’s the difference between using you and Care.com?

Families: We do the legwork of vetting recommendations, initial interviews, and keeping track of sitters’ availabilities so that all you need to do is text us when you need a sitter, and we’ll send a great one your way. We’ll share all the information we have about your matched sitter ahead of time so that you can ensure they are a match for your family and if there’s any question, just let us know and we’ll find someone else that fits your needs. And if anything falls through, we’ll do our best to find another sitter.

We know that when you find a new sitter, they may look great on paper, but you don’t know how they will mesh with your kids or if they’ll just get overwhelmed and put them in front of an iPad. All of our sitters follow our code of conduct, so they align to three big guidelines:

• Default to IRL play: A sitter’s job is to engage with kids on a 1:1 level and not with a screen between them. Ask the family their rules for screen time and stick with them.

• Clean up your messes: Our sitters do their best to clean up any messes that happened during the sit, especially food-related! Our sitters aren’t housekeepers, but they’ll try to keep things tidy. If it’s a short sit or a true masterpiece of a pillow fort that’s being built, we may not always get to everything.

• Be proactive: Parents will give you the rundown of what they expect your sit to be like, but they won’t always think of everything. Finger painting turning into a free for all? Switch it up to crayons. Meltdown after mom and dad leave? A snack might just be the trick. A bunch of dirty dishes in the sink after the kids go to bed? Might as well wash up.

Sitters: We learn about you, your preferences, and your schedule so that all you need to do is let us know your availability and we can match you with great families. I know as a sitter how difficult it was to find work and the hoops that you needed to jump through, so I wanted to create a way for you to be one and done.

This sounds great, how soon can we start?

We’re currently onboarding sitters and families and hope to launch in summer 2024, starting in Brooklyn. If you want to learn more or share feedback about where we should head next, get in touch at hibrooklynbabysitters@gmail.com.

How much do you charge?

Rates for sitters are dependent on years of experience and number of kids being watched.