What is a babysitter?

A babysitter takes care of your child (or children) while you're away - at work, on a date, at the gym, or for any other reason. Babysitters can be male or female, old or young, but some states have statutes regulating the age that minors can be left in charge (usually anywhere from age 12-16).

How are babysitters different from mother's helpers, nannies or au pairs?

A mother's helper is usually there to help with the kids while at least one parent is still present: maybe taking care of lunch and activities while Mom works from home, or doing the laundry while Dad gets the kids to bed. Nannies work on a more fixed schedule, either part-time or full-time, and there are usually employment/tax considerations to keep in mind. Au pairs come from other countries and live with the family, watching the kids and tending to other household responsibilities in exchange for room/board and sometimes a monetary stipend. Compared with those three situations, babysitting is much less formal and more of an as-needed childcare arrangement.

How can I determine if a babysitter is trustworthy?

Word of mouth is the most common way to vet a new babysitter. It's great to have someone that's already taken good care of your friends' children with no problems! The downside is that these sitters will be in high demand, and you might not be able to get them on your desired schedule. You can also ask for references or run a background check, if you're considering a babysitter that isn't known to you personally.

How can I find a babysitter near me?

When you're new to an area or don't have any available sitter referrals from friends, you could put the word out in local groups on social media. Unfortunately, that could attract less-than-reputable individuals! Instead, consider using a babysitter referral service: these platforms allow prospective sitters to create a profile, complete with client reviews and information about their background and any certifications they have (like infant/child CPR). Some referral services make it possible to get a background check, though the sitter may have to opt in before you can access the results.

Is it expensive to use a babysitter referral service?

You can expect to pay a membership fee in the neighborhood of $20/month to access most babysitter referral services. That gives you unlimited access to the database and to making connections with the sitters you find. Some platforms give you limited free access to get started, or a trial period to see if there are enough potential babysitters in your area to make it worth the membership fees.

What's a typical hourly rate for a babysitter?

That varies widely by geographic location, the number of children you have (and their ages), the expertise level of the sitter, and what you expect your sitter to provide. You can ask other parents in your area what the going rate is: underpay your sitter and they're not likely to come back! In the past, the reported average hourly rate for babysitters in the US ranged from $15-$20, but in less urban areas it tended to be closer to $10/hour.

Can I ask my babysitter to do light housework or other tasks?

Yes. You can make whatever arrangements you like with your babysitter. It's not uncommon to ask a sitter to fix a light meal, take care of the dishes after the kids are in bed, or tidy up the playroom while the children are watching a movie. Just remember that their primary focus should be on keeping your little ones safe, not housekeeping.

Best Babysitter Agencies for January 2026

Item: The Best Babysitter Agencies - Summary Reviews
Rating: 5
Author: Top Consumer Reviews

Friday, January 16th We evaluate products and services based on unbiased research. Top Consumer Reviews may earn money when you click on a link. Learn more about our process.

2026 Babysitter Agency Reviews

Where is the best place to find babysitters? Looking for a way to balance work, social life, and family responsibilities? Or maybe you just need to pick back up on having regular date nights. Whether it's for a quick errand, an evening out, or an unexpected schedule change, it's a huge weight off your shoulders to find someone to watch the kiddos.

5.0

EXCELLENT

Best Option

Bambino

Expected hourly rate between $10 and $20
Monthly membership fee between $8.33 and $19.99 per month
Vets with ID verification and three types of background checks

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EXCELLENT

5.0

On the Bambino website

Bambino is a modern babysitting app that makes finding trusted childcare simple, secure, and fast. Every sitter on Bambino completes background checks, ID verification, and community recommendations, giving parents extra confidence before booking. With over 400,000 registered sitters, in-app payments, and a 4.9-star rating on the Apple App Store alone, Bambino is the best option for parents who want a safe and reliable way to find a babysitter right from their phone.

4.5

GREAT

Great

Babysits

Expected hourly rate between $13 and $25
Monthly membership fee between $8.33 and $24.99 per month
6 local babysitters in our research

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GREAT

4.5

On the Babysits website

Babysits is an easy-to-use childcare platform that helps families quickly find trusted babysitters and nannies nearby. Each sitter on Babysits goes through ID and background checks, and the site adds extra safety with monitored messaging and secure payment options. With affordable rates starting around $13 an hour and a strong rating on Trustpilot, it stands out as one of the top choices for parents looking for a new babysitter.

4.0

VERY GOOD

Very Good

Nanny Lane

Expected hourly rate between $15 and $25 per hour
$30 to $60 per month for required membership
300+ local babysitters in our research

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VERY GOOD

4.0

On the Nanny Lane website

Nanny Lane is a flexible babysitting platform that helps families find qualified sitters and nannies across the US while offering extra security options through paid membership plans. The site features over 300 local caregivers and includes transparent pricing details, background check access, and in-app communication for safety. Although membership fees make it pricier than free options, Nanny Lane's 4.4-star Trustpilot rating and fast matching process earn it a solid score in our review.

3.5

GOOD

Good

Care

Expected hourly rate between $10- $25 per hour
Monthly membership fee (required to contact nannies) between $12.95 and $38.95 per month
100+ local babysitters in our research

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GOOD

3.5

On the Care website

Care is a well-known site that helps parents find babysitters, nannies, and even pet or house care, making it a convenient all-in-one option for busy families. Every babysitter on Care completes background checks, and premium members can access extra screening details for added peace of mind. With hundreds of local sitters, monitored communication, and an "A-" rating from the BBB, Care is a solid choice for reliable childcare, though its membership costs make it slightly pricier than some competitors.

3.0

AVERAGE

Average

Kidsit

Expected hourly rate between $13 and $25 per hour
Free to use, no membership
10 local babysitters in our research

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AVERAGE

3.0

On the Kidsit website

Kidsit is a free global babysitting site that helps parents find sitters, nannies, and even pet care providers across the US, Canada, and other countries. The platform is easy to use and shows each sitter's experience, hourly rates, and skills, though the screening process is optional and may require families to do extra research. While Kidsit doesn't have reviews on major third-party sites, it remains a helpful no-cost tool for quickly connecting with local caregivers and earns a moderate rating in our review.

2.5

FAIR

Fair

Urban Sitter

Expected hourly rate between $18 and $30 per hour
$12.95 to $39 per month for required membership
5 babysitters shown in test area

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FAIR

2.5

On the Urban Sitter website

UrbanSitter is a childcare platform that helps families connect with babysitters, pet sitters, and senior care providers in one convenient place. While UrbanSitter includes verified ratings, on-site messaging, and optional background checks, the platform limits how much you can do without paying for a membership that starts at $12.95 per month. With mixed reviews online and a higher price range, UrbanSitter works best for parents willing to spend a bit more for flexibility and verified caregivers.

2.0

SUBPAR

Subpar

Babysitter's Registry

Expected hourly rate between $10 and $25
Browse 500+ babysitters
Decent database-style starting point

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SUBPAR

2.0

On the Babysitter's Registry website

Babysitter's Registry is a free online database that helps families browse hundreds of local babysitters by zip code. Unlike most babysitting sites, Babysitter's Registry does not handle background checks or communication, so parents need to do their own vetting and contact sitters through other platforms. While it offers a large selection of caregivers with reasonable hourly rates, it feels more like a research tool than a full-service childcare site. We recommend skipping Babysitter's Registry and going with one of the higher-ranked services on our list.

1.9

SUBPAR

Subpar

Sittercity

Expected hourly rate between $10 and $50 an hour
$35 to $90 in fees for required membership
Background checks for members only

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SUBPAR

1.9

On the Sittercity website

Sittercity is a babysitting platform owned by Bright Horizons that offers a wide range of childcare services, including newborn care, daytime sitting, and household help. While Sittercity includes ID verification for added security, it locks all babysitter listings and background checks behind a paid membership. With mixed reviews, a "D-" rating from the Better Business Bureau, and costly access to basic features, Sittercity ends up being a less budget-friendly choice.

1.5

WEAK

Weak

Jovie

Does the research, verification, and hiring for you
Brick-and-mortar locations
Vets with multiple levels of background checks

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WEAK

1.5

On the Jovie website

Jovie is a babysitting service that connects families with professional childcare experts who treat caregiving as a full-time career. All babysitters on Jovie go through accredited third-party background checks that include address history and sex offender searches, giving parents extra peace of mind. However, with no upfront pricing, slow response times, and few verified reviews, Jovie feels less convenient than other babysitting sites and earns a lower rating overall.

1.0

POOR

Poor

Sitter

Expected hourly rate between $13 and $20 per hour
$45 to $89.99 per month for membership
100+ local babysitters in our research

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POOR

1.0

On the Sitter website

Sitter is an online babysitting marketplace that helps parents connect with local caregivers in the US and Canada through a quick setup process and a large pool of listings. While Sitter offers some communication security and affordable hourly rates starting around $13, it requires pricey memberships to chat freely or share contact information. Unfortunately, reports of scams and poor feedback on review sites make Sitter a risky option.

Continued from above...

Where is the Best Place to Find Babysitters?

Looking for a way to balance work, social life, and family responsibilities? Or maybe you just need to pick back up on having regular date nights. Whether it's for a quick errand, an evening out, or an unexpected schedule change, it's a huge weight off your shoulders to find someone to watch the kiddos.

Having a trusted babysitter can make life much smoother with reliable, short-term care that can be scheduled quickly (even at the last minute). Babysitters have become an essential part of family life for millions of households, helping parents take a breath and regain balance, and enjoy some well-deserved time child-free.

Modern babysitter websites have made it faster and easier than ever to find qualified caregivers. Instead of relying on personal recommendations or posting flyers in the neighborhood, parents can now search from home and review hundreds of profiles in minutes. These platforms let you filter by experience, hourly rate, location, and even availability, so you can find someone who fits your family's schedule and comfort level.

Many babysitter sites also include reviews from parents for particular babysitters. This way, you can choose those who are rated as high as your standards by other parents in your area. This is a total change from how people used to find babysitters (by mostly hoping someone was living nearby who could watch the kids).

If you're like us, then safety is one of your top concerns, and online babysitter platforms have made big improvements in how they handle security and vetting. The best websites require background checks and identity verification before babysitters are listed. Some even offer secure payment options and built-in messaging systems to protect your privacy and keep all communication in one place. This level of transparency offers you much more peace of mind than the traditional word-of-mouth approach. By using a trusted site with a solid vetting process, you can see everything you need to know before you interview your next babysitter.

Hiring a babysitter isn't just about getting childcare - it's about giving yourself the chance to recharge and enjoy your personal life. If you're ready to jump in, but don't know where to start, don't sweat. We've got your back. Here are some factors that can help you narrow the field:

Security. How trustworthy are the babysitters on your chosen site? How does the platform vet potential options? Are there on-website chat features, apps, or video screenings that keep your communications with your new babysitter secure? Make sure you feel like you know your babysitter before you interview in person.
Qualifications. Does the platform ask babysitters to have any kind of qualifications (or provide details about those that do)? Look for sites that have icons that show background checks, CPR certification, and more. These will give you everything you need to know about your next babysitter at a glance.
Cost. If you're going out on the town and need someone to watch the kids, you don't want to overpay for a babysitter. Keep your budget in mind, as some price ranges can get pretty crazy. Make sure you compare prices for your chosen babysitter to what other parents in your area are paying.
Feedback. Finally, what are other parents saying about your preferred babysitter site? Look for platforms that have plenty of feedback from parents for individual babysitters. It can also be helpful to double-check your preferred babysitter service on third-party review sites like Trustpilot, Sitejabber, or the Better Business Bureau.

Whether you're planning a long-overdue date night, celebrating an anniversary, or catching up with friends, a babysitter can make it possible to take that time without worry. Having a responsible sitter watching your children means you can relax and focus on your evening, knowing everything at home is in good hands. That's why Top Consumer Reviews has researched and ranked the top babysitter sites out there today. That way, you can enjoy a night off from parenting and know your kids are safe, happy, and cared for, just like if you were there with them!