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Tuesday, November 5th
Care, established in 2006, is one of the biggest names in for-hire caregiving of all kinds. The platform serves as a one-stop shop to assist individuals and families in finding various types of help, including childcare, special needs care, senior care, pet care, tutoring, and housekeeping help. Over 4 million families in the US have used Care to look for the help they need.
Prepare to answer lots of questions
Getting started simply requires you to enter your zip code and select the type of care you're searching for (child care). You'll be asked when you need that help, ranging from "right now” to "just browsing”. Care also wants to know if you need a nanny/recurring sitter, a one-time babysitter, or even a daycare center. After you enter the age of the child(ren), your email address and name, you'll think that you'll be able to browse profiles next - but no. Even if you said "Just Browsing”, Care then prompts you to enter a date for a one-time or weekly recurring babysitting appointment, the hourly rate range you'd be willing to pay, and a brief family profile.
Browse for free
You can choose to set up a basic Care account at no cost. That lets you browse babysitters in your area, post a job, and see who replies. You may want to opt for that to start, so that you can take a peek at the available options near you: why pay for a membership if you don't see any solid matches in the area? Care starts you out with a curated list of babysitters nearby, but you can scroll down and select "exit to full directory” to see everyone in their database near you.
Many babysitters have no client feedback
Within that results list, you can use filters to add the number of children being cared for, professional skills like CPR training, and spoken language. However, you can't sort the results list by distance, hourly rate, or any other criteria. In the mid-size metro area we entered, there were about 100 babysitters within a 20-mile radius, but only 25% or so had ratings and reviews from clients (and even then, it was usually just a couple of scores; the most we saw were 20 total ratings).
All babysitters are background checked
When you view any babysitter's profile, you can see his or her detailed information, including the date that they passed Care's mandatory background check. If you want to see the results of that check or to pay for a more extensive investigation (like a motor vehicle or a criminal records check), those options are shown on the profile too. We like that every babysitter profile shows you their response rate and average response time, so you don't waste yours on someone who isn't likely to answer your inquiry.
Monthly fee required to make contact
Speaking of inquiries, don't forget that you'll have to pay for full access. Care charges $38.95/month. At the time of our most recent visit, though, clients could also get a quarterly membership at $24.95/month or an annual subscription for $12.95/month.
Too many complaints
And now, the real question: is it worth it to subscribe to Care? More so than in our previous evaluation, our answer is "no”. Not only has the Better Business Bureau downgraded the company from an "A+” to a "B” since then (with nearly 1,000 complaints filed there in the last three years), but there are almost 2,500 one-star ratings on Trustpilot as well. It's disappointing that the same complaints have been repeated over and over for years: Care charges people coming and going (like making both caregivers and clients pay for background checks), subscriptions are notoriously hard to cancel once and for all, and many babysitter profiles shown as active won't respond because Care doesn't remove them even when they're no longer paying. It's rare to find anyone, babysitter or parent, who absolutely loves the Care experience.
Doesn't live up to its name
All of that seems even more of a let-down when you think about how much name recognition Care has. We wish that there was more on the other side of that - that such visibility would translate into a babysitting referral service that made both clients and caregivers feel happy and safe. Not so much when it comes to Care. Use it if there's literally nothing else that serves your area, but be very aware of the potential downsides if you do.
Finding a trustworthy babysitter can be a daunting task, especially if you're a parent with a busy schedule, or you're in a new town where you don't know who to ask for a recommendation. Fortunately, the digital age has made it easier than ever to connect with reliable caregivers through babysitting agency websites.
Online babysitter platforms offer a range of features and benefits that can simplify your search for the perfect babysitter. These websites provide a convenient way to find childcare services at your fingertips. You can browse profiles and contact potential babysitters from the comfort of your home. This eliminates the need for time-consuming interviews, begging for referrals in community Facebook groups, or searching through classified ads, making the process far more efficient.
Additionally, babysitting agency websites prioritize safety and reliability. They often vet their babysitters through background checks and interviews, giving you access to trusted caregivers. This extra layer of security can bring peace of mind to parents, knowing that their children are in the hands of experienced and thoroughly screened individuals.
Moreover, these websites provide a wide selection of potential babysitters. You'll have access to a diverse pool of caregivers, allowing you to find someone who matches your family's specific needs and preferences. Whether you require a babysitter for a one-time event or regular childcare, agency websites can accommodate your unique requirements. This flexibility is particularly valuable for parents with varying schedules and childcare needs.
When choosing a babysitting agency, it's not always easy to know which ones will best suit your situation. Here are some key comparison points that can help you narrow it down:
To help you find the perfect babysitter for your kids, Top Consumer Reviews has checked out and ranked various babysitting agencies. We hope this info boosts your confidence as you search for someone to look after your little ones when you're not around!
Select any 2 Babysitter Agencies to compare them head to head