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.

Sittercity Review for June 2026 | Best Babysitter Agencies

Item: Sittercity Review
Rating: 2
Author: Top Consumer Reviews

Monday, June 8th 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.

1.9

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
4.2-star average rating on third-party review sites

SUBPAR

1.9

On the Sittercity website

Sittercity is an all-in-one type of caregiving website that includes babysitting and nannying services with everything from daytime work, single sittings, newborn care, housework helpers, and more. However, there is a paywall to consider, and contacting babysitters for free isn't an option. Sittercity is currently owned by Bright Horizons, and while it promises 5x more matches with ideal babysitters than competitors, the reviews suggest this isn't actually the case.

No background checks until you're a member

Sittercity offers plenty of in-house vetting for your security, but you'll have to ask for a background check to be completed. Instead of automatically running checks on every babysitter on the platform, Sittercity requires parents to join via membership (which includes background checks as part of the deal). As is, babysitter listings include the number of years of experience they have and certifications. But the deeper checks have to wait until you've completed sign-up and secured a paid membership.

Can't access sitters before you pay

Sittercity's sign-up process is easy, but you do have to make an account to get anywhere. You'll fill out a questionnaire for how often you want a sitter, what type of care you want (nannying or babysitting), and where you're located. Before you can view listings for babysitters, you'll have to subscribe to a 1-month, 3-month, or 12-month membership. The paywall keeps you from even browsing limited versions of the babysitter listings, which is somewhat frustrating.

ID verification for some security

Sittercity does offer ID verification for all babysitters on the platform. So, while background checks are dependent on you asking for one, you can easily see who matches their legal ID and passed photo verification. You can also see individual reviews for particular babysitters, so you can preview who has done well with other families and who you want to avoid.

Pricing from $10 to $50 an hour + membership fee

Sittercity allows you to choose your price range, since when you make an account, you create a "listing" for babysitters to apply to. This means you'll only be shown to babysitters who are in your chosen pay range. The sliding scale on Sittercity offers payment amounts from $10 to $50 an hour. In our area, parents generally pay between $16 and $20 an hour for a babysitter. This helps you get a ballpark idea of how much you should be paying and how much you can offer fairly. The membership costs $35 per month, $49 for 3 months, and $90 for a year, and this includes the basic functional features like messages, viewing profiles, and requesting background checks.

Low ratings for costly service

Sittercity, regrettably, is not the best when it comes to ratings - though this isn't totally surprising, given the frustrating paywall. From the Better Business Bureau, Sittercity currently holds a "D-" rating. On Trustpilot, the news is a little better, with a 4.2-star average out of 5. In general, though, most recent reviews were just 1 star, which shows a significant decline in the last year or so. Customers have trouble with accounts getting locked or suspended, and there are concerns about how costly the membership is.

Too expensive for most parents

Sittercity just isn't one of the top options out there for babysitters these days. With high costs for membership (that you are required to pay to use the site), roadblocks to seeing the babysitters, and no included background checks since you still have to ask for one after you've paid, there isn't much to recommend Sittercity over other sites in our review. Only the 4.2-star average on Trustpilot keeps it from earning one of our lowest ratings. It's really only viable if you're not worried about your babysitting budget.

On the Sittercity 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!

Sittercity Review: Babysitter Agencies

2026 Babysitter Agency Reviews

Sittercity

Where is the Best Place to Find Babysitters?

Babysitter Agency FAQ