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Sittercity Review

Thursday, November 7th

2024 Babysitter Agency Reviews

Top Consumer Reviews Best-In-Class Blue Ribbon Award Sittercity Review 5 Star Rating

Sittercity

5 Star Rating
  • Can hire both babysitters and nannies
  • Covers 95% of US neighborhoods
  • Babysitters are identity-authenticated and screened on offender databases
  • Full background checks available for a fee
  • Can browse babysitter profiles with a free account
  • Premium plan required to message and book sitters
  • Premium prices range from $15 to $39/month, depending on subscription length
  • Activity-based babysitters available
  • "A+” rated and accredited by the BBB
Top Consumer Reviews Best-In-Class Blue Ribbon Award

Sittercity, established in 2001, is a versatile caregiver service offering support for children, seniors, people with special needs, and even furry friends. Sittercity's unwavering commitment to trust and safety sets them apart, offering an array of features such as detailed caregiver profiles, candidate ratings, interview scheduling, secure messaging, background check options, scam prevention measures, and sex offender database screenings. This makes Sittercity an excellent choice for finding reliable and secure babysitters.

Good for finding both babysitters and nannies

Sittercity specializes in helping families connect with babysitters and nannies. According to their distinction, a babysitter is a local caregiver who provides temporary childcare to accommodate a family's schedule, suitable for last-minute appointments, date nights, or occasional special occasions. Conversely, a nanny is typically employed on a long-term basis and may live with the family, working full-time, part-time, or overnight, depending on the family's specific needs.

Create an account to browse

Unlike some babysitting agencies that let you browse just by entering a zip code, Sittercity requires prospective clients to create an account. That may feel like an unnecessary hoop to jump through, but it's part of the company's commitment to trust and safety - for families and babysitters alike.

A job listing is required

Once you've done that, you can tell Sittercity if you need a regular babysitter (for before/after school, driving to activities, etc.), occasional babysitter, one-time sitter (for an event or backup), or a nanny (usually 2-5 full weekdays). You'll also indicate when you're thinking of setting up your first appointment and if that start date is flexible, the ages of the children in the family, and any special requirements or responsibilities. All of this goes into creating a job listing for your babysitting needs (which we're not huge fans of - not everyone wants to post a job right off the bat).

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Can browse without a paid plan

The next page shows you Sittercity's pricing for Premium membership: $39 for a month-to-month subscription, $29/month for a three-month plan, and $15/month for a full year. You'll need that to message babysitters, request interviews, or book unique activities already planned and advertised by caregivers (which is a new feature since our previous review). Sittercity doesn't make it obvious, but you can scroll way down the page to where it says "Not ready to find care yet?” and click the "Upgrade Later” button to (finally) get to browsing babysitter profiles in your area.

Some screening is done for you

All babysitters on Sittercity have had their identity authenticated using their legal ID and a live selfie. They're also screened through Family Watchdog to make sure they're not on a sex offender database. Beyond that, clients can pay for additional background checks; if a sitter has already undergone that process recently, you'll see a badge on their profile under the "Trust and Safety” section. From there, it's up to you to screen your babysitters: only hire someone if you feel comfortable with them, and maybe take the extra step to check references, verify certifications, and so forth, because Sittercity doesn't do that part for you.

Lots of info to consider

When you're browsing profiles, it's easy to see how much experience each babysitter has, how many people have left reviews, and even their last login to the site. That's a great way to make sure you're connecting with people who are actually available (since many top-notch babysitters we spotted had reviews, but they weren't super-current: not every client takes the time to leave a rating, after all).

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Over 40,000 five-star ratings

One of our biggest reasons for putting Sittercity at the top of our list is its reputation. There's no one babysitting agency that gets flawless grades from everyone - there's always someone who had a bad experience with a particular caregiver (or family), or had something glitchy with membership cancellation, no matter where you look - but this platform is "A+” rated and accredited by the BBB, with just five complaints filed there in the last year. Better than that, when you look at feedback from iOS users of the Sittercity app, it averages an impressive 4.7 stars out of 5 across nearly 50,000 ratings.

Activity-based babysitting is a huge advantage here

We also give Sittercity props for its new activity-based care options. Maybe you've got older kids who think they're too old for a babysitter. Why not sign them up for a Dungeons & Dragons Adventure (one of the options we spotted in our location)? Not only do you get the childcare you need, but your not-so-little one will have a blast at the same time, with his or her very own game master. What's available in your area will vary, from arts and crafts time to full-on Disney outings, but it's a perk we haven't seen with any other babysitting agency.

Still the #1 choice among babysitting agencies

Sittercity gets our strongest recommendation among babysitting platforms today. You'll have no trouble finding a caregiver near you, and you're likely to have a great experience. Plus, with activity-based babysitting options on the menu, your kids may be begging you to go out more often while they have fun too. Be sure to check out Sittercity the next time you need babysitting.

Where is the Best Place to Find a Babysitter for Your Children?

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.

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Babysitter Agency FAQ

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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Compare the Best Reviews

Continued from above...

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:

  • Availability. First, you'll need to verify that the website operates in your area and can connect you with babysitters in your locality. Then, check if the platform offers babysitters who are available when you need them, whether it's for date nights, weekends, or weekdays. Finally, some websites may offer additional services, such as tutors or pet-sitters, so choose one that aligns with your family's unique needs.
  • Reputation. Look for websites with a strong reputation for connecting families with reliable babysitters. Check online reviews and ask for recommendations from other parents. And, of course, look at the ratings and feedback on each individual sitter, regardless of the babysitting agency you're using. The best babysitting agencies conduct thorough background checks on babysitters to guarantee the safety of your children.
  • Fees. Compare the fee structures of different platforms. Some charge you a membership or sitting fee, while others take a percentage of the babysitter's earnings.
  • Scheduling and communication. Evaluate the platform's scheduling tools and messaging systems to determine how easy it is to coordinate with babysitters.
  • Customer support. Consider the level of customer support provided. Responsive support can be invaluable when you have questions or encounter issues. If your babysitter doesn't show up (or worse, you have a bad experience), you want to know that the agency will have your back.

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!

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