Last Updated on January 25, 2024 by Lori Pace
We understand. Finding a person you trust (who isn’t a relative) to take care of your child can be a nerve-wracking experience. Especially, when you are looking for a last-minute babysitter due to your urgent business.
And unless you knew of a reputable agency right off the bat, you probably did a fair amount of research and debate before finding the right match. But what do you do when life throws you a curveball, and you need to find a last-babysitter on short notice?
There are plenty of apps out there to help single moms find sitters. Each app comes with its own pros and cons. So you do have a choice when it comes to choosing the right app for you. But who has the time to go through all of them?
We’ve got you covered.
Here is a list of 7 babysitter apps you can use to find a reputable last-minute babysitter.
Bambino
Bambino is a free babysitting app that helps you to find qualified, trustworthy sitters in your neighborhood.
Before having their account activated on the app, every sitter must receive a recommendation from an individual in the community. This recommendation confirms the identity of prospective sitters. These recommendations will reassure you that you will be leaving your child in the best hands while you’re away.
Essentially, it’s the modern way of finding a babysitter or even last-minute babysitters by word-of-mouth.
How it works: Register on the app using your cellphone number.
This site makes it easier to find a reliable sitter. You should link your Facebook account to the app. It will allow the app to access your existing contacts and connect you with sitters already hired by someone you know.
One of the other perks of using Bambino to hire a sitter is that it doesn’t require paying an expensive subscription fee. The only costs involved are the sitter’s hourly rate and a small booking fee that gets applied at the end of the booking. You can also pay your sitter via the app once the babysitting has ended, making it extra convenient for both parties.
Care.com
This company puts parents and caregivers in touch with one another via its website and mobile app.
It offers a variety of services, including:
- Daycare
- Child care
- Senior care
- Pet care
- Tutoring
- Housekeeping
How it works: Finding a babysitter or even a last-minute babysitter is fast and convenient with Care.com.
Create a free profile and post a job request to let care providers know that you are looking for someone to assist you. Any available last-minute babysitters or normal babysitters in the area will respond to your request. You can then make a selection based on their qualifications, experience, and pay rate.
While creating a profile on the app is free, you will need to purchase a premium membership to exchange contact details, obtain references, run background checks, and book sitters. An annual subscription costs $209.99. The subscription is an additional charge to your sitter’s hourly rate.
Another thing you should be aware of is any unverified information because Care.com does not employ these individuals.
The company, therefore, cannot be held liable for the conduct of any care provider who uses the platform for advertising or applying for jobs. As a parent, it will be your responsibility to ensure that the person you hire is suitably qualified and meets all of the necessary legal requirements.
Helpr
Helpr helps working parents get access to affordable child care. It does this by partnering with businesses to offer employer-sponsored care as an employee benefit.
In other words, if you work for one of the companies that partners with Helpr, you can receive a care subsidy that will reduce the cost of hiring a caregiver through the app.
The app itself also has several valuable features, including the Helpr Care Network, which can help you find a reputable last-minute babysitter in a matter of hours.
How it works: Every caregiver goes through a rigorous screening process before they become available for hire on the app, so you can be sure that the candidate you choose will have all the necessary qualifications for looking after your child.
There are also no additional costs or subscription fees involved, which means you only pay by the hour. However, be aware that the rates for sitters will vary depending on your area, the number of children you have, and the notice given for booking.
SeekingSitters
SeekingSitters was founded in 2004 by licensed private investigator Adrienne Kallweit and her husband, David. It came about as a response to the need for a convenient way to hire a prescreened child care provider.
SeekingSitters takes all of the worries out of hiring a stranger to look after your child through its comprehensive screening process.
How it works: Seekingsitters did all the hard work for you. All you need to do is complete the online application form to become an app member.
Once your membership gets approved, you will access your account. You can post job requests, browse the pictures and profiles of the available last-minute babysitters in your area, update your profile, and set your sitter preferences.
You can make payments via the app. The once-off account activation fee of $59.99 includes all background screenings.
Sittercity
Sittercity has been connecting families with child care professionals since 2001. As a result, it has one of the largest databases of child care providers in the United States. You’re almost guaranteed to find a reputable sitter in a pinch.
Sittercity also allows you to get in touch with other types of professional caretakers depending on your family’s needs, including nannies, tutors, and specialty care providers.
How it works: Download the Sittercity app and create an account for free. Alternatively, you can sign up for the service on the company’s website.
Once you’ve created an account, you can post adverts for jobs, review applicants, and make bookings.
However, you’ll need to pay an additional fee in the form of a subscription if you want to perform background checks on the applicants who respond to your job posts. To give you a general idea of the cost, the membership fee for a twelve-month subscription is $98.
Sitter Pro
A quirky team of professionals manages Sitter Pro. They aim to make finding and booking trusted caregivers easier for families.
It also offers various tools to help care agencies grow their businesses and develop a positive reputation within the care provider industry.
In other words, this babysitter app made sure that they vetted all registered babysitters that come from local agents. This vetting process will give you peace of mind that every individual you hire through Sitter Pro. All babysitters must pass all the relevant background checks to be suitably qualified to look after your children.
How it works: Using the app is entirely free. So, all you need to do to get started is to download the app and create an account.
You can then post a job request and browse through the available sitters from the agencies in your area. Once you find a sitter that you like, hit the “book” button, and they will respond to you accordingly.
In the meantime, you can list any special requests or considerations you might have regarding your child’s care on your profile, for caregivers to view. For example information on allergies or bedtime routines.
Another helpful feature of the app is the option to “favourite” the caregivers you have previously hired and liked. So, you can easily find them again for future bookings.
UrbanSitter
UrbanSitter offers a range of safe and dependable child care services through their website and mobile app.
Every child care provider on the app is screened beforehand and rated by the schools, churches, and parenting groups in the neighbourhoods they serve in. so you’ll be able to choose one based on their reviews.
How it works: UrbanSitter is available on the Apple App and Google Play stores. Download it and sign up to begin your search.
Post a job request. Then, use the filters to find an available babysitter near you based on their qualifications, experience, and training.
The app has a built-in calendar that allows you to see the real-time availability of all the sitters in the area. That is why you should be able to find one fairly quickly. Alternatively, you can book multiple sitters at once and then hire one who responds first.
Free basic membership is available on the app, but if you’re looking for a better experience, then buying a subscription at $19.95 per month or $124.95 per year is the way to go. There is also a pay-as-you-go option charged at $34.95 per month.
Last-Minute Babysitter Apps
Finding a reputable last-minute sitter has never been easier with the help of modern technology.
Find, review, and book a professional caregiver in minutes using any of the babysitting apps mentioned above the next time life serves you one of its curveballs.
