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.

Sitter Review for February 2026 | Best Babysitter Agencies

Item: Sitter Review
Rating: 1
Author: Top Consumer Reviews

Sunday, February 15th 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.

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
Background checks for a fee

POOR

1.0

On the Sitter website

Sitter is an online marketplace for parents to find and connect with babysitters in their area. The company got its start in Canada in 1997, and now it's part of the CareGuide network. Sitter has received praise from The Globe and Mail and Huffpost for its quick and easy method for helping you find a babysitter. The caregivers at Sitter offer a variety of care styles that include in-home and taking kids to sports, the park, or to and from school if needed. The company serves both the US and Canada, so you can be sure that you're taken care of no matter where you're located.

Little to no vetting

Sitter doesn't do the background checks for you, so there isn't a specific vetting program that the company uses. However, it does make running a background check (through the platform) available for parents. You will have to complete the process yourself, even with the higher tiers of membership (which don't mention increased security like we've seen at other sites).

100+ sitters to choose from in our test area

Signing up for an account is the first step at Sitter. You'll be asked for your location, the general ages of your child or children, how often you expect to need care, and what rates you're willing to pay. Sitter will give you the hourly rate for minimum wage in your state and note that you will not be able to go below that price. Sitter will suggest listing information for you based on your answers, and then you'll be ready to pay for a plan. There is a "Limited" plan option for zero cost if you just want to browse babysitters. However, you can only send and receive 3 messages total in each conversation on this plan. Once we got through the setup, we were shown over 100 results for babysitters in our area.

Security features and how to trust

Sitter does allow on-site monitored communication as a security feature, but there isn't much else in terms of security to help you out. Plus, you can only chat very briefly if you don't pay a membership fee. Compared to other babysitting sites in our review, this service has a pretty significant paywall, and it doesn't stand out for the features you get for your money.

Pricing starting at $13 to $20 per hour

In our area, we saw babysitting prices from $13 to $20 per hour. However, there's a catch. If you want to chat more than 3 messages (which is all you get on the Limited free plan), you'll have to subscribe, and it isn't cheap. The first plan is Premium, which costs $45 for one month, $90 for 3 months, and $180 for 12 months. Premium includes the same features as the free version, plus the ability to use unlimited messages and calls through Sitter, features at the top of the search results, the ability to share contact information, and priority access to email support. The Featured plan is even more costly: $89.99 for one month, $179.99 for 3 months, and $359.99 for 12 months. It includes all the features of Premium, plus improved profile designs, no ads, and standout profile cards.

Concerning reports of scams

Sitter doesn't have a page with the Better Business Bureau, but we did see some concerning reports during our research. There are repeated claims that scams are happening on this site. On Sitejabber, for example, Sitter has just 1 star out of 5. Reviews say that four out of four applicants for babysitting jobs were scams. Babysitters are also seeing scams from the other side, where parents claim to be moving and ask for the babysitter's private information. Previous customers also complained about unauthorized transactions or hidden fees for things that weren't subscriptions initially (like the background check service). Overall, there isn't a single review we can find that praises Sitter.

Not worth the risk

There's no way to recommend this site given what our research turned up. With the high costs to use the site alongside the consistent reports of scams and bots, there is nothing good about Sitter. While it might have been a legit business in the past, now it's a risky choice at best.

On the Sitter website

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!

Sitter Review: Babysitter Agencies

2026 Babysitter Agency Reviews

Sitter

Where is the Best Place to Find Babysitters?

Babysitter Agency FAQ