As scary as it can be to reach out online in search of a babysitter, I have found incredible sitters on the internet. Friends and relatives are great babysitter options, but they are not always readily available–or accessible. In hopes of making the search for Chicago babysitting online less intimidating, here are three online services I found to be simple, reliable, and, most importantly, safe.
Three Chicago Babysitting Services You Can Trust
Care.com
Since its debut in 2003, Care.com has gone beyond offering just childcare. They provide services for senior care, tutoring, housekeeping, daycare, and pet care. Currently, childcare on Care.com averages around $11.75 per hour. But it depends on your location. Care.com offers a free, basic membership, but the premium membership allows you to make more informed and safe choices. No certifications are required to enroll as a caregiver. Still, the more qualifications you have, the more likely you will be hired. Care.com’s impressive Safety Center performs background checks on all caregivers and monitors applications and messages. For additional safety, the company suggests reading each caregiver’s reviews and ensuring the person has safety verifications. So they have published each and every caregiver’s reviews and experience to give you to the best chance at finding the perfect babysitting provider for your Chicago family.
Nanny Harmony
Nanny Harmony is the place to go if you’re looking for more than just the occasional date night or errand. The company—created by a professional nanny—makes it easy to find long-term Chicago babysitting or nannies and seeks to create “happy, harmonious partnerships.” Their strict and personal vetting policy nearly ensures a qualified nanny because of their strict requirements. The Nanny Harmony team meets with potential nannies as part of the recruitment process before they are allowed to work. They consider the relationship between a nanny and family as a partnership rather than a job.
The requirements to be a nanny specify that the interview meetings must be face-to-face via video to ensure authenticity and honesty. Nannies must have more than 2 years of professional childcare experience, three professional references, be CPR and First Aid certified, have a clean driving record, be a non-smoker, and be able to make a one-year commitment. The average pay is between $25-35 an hour. Instead of charging a monthly membership, the company charges a one-time application fee of $600. Nanny Harmony serves communities in Chicago, Florida, and Wisconsin.
Sittercity
Sittercity.com closely resembles Care.com’s services, including babysitting, nannying, pet care, senior care, tutoring, and working with children with special needs. Sittercity seeks to reimagine childcare by simplifying the process of finding babysitting in Chicago. The website states the company has “sitters in 95% of US neighborhoods,” and according to Glass Door, has an average rate of $12-30 an hour. After making an account, you can select what you want: a regular sitter, a one-time sitter, an occasional sitter, or a nanny. Each sitter presents a brief biography and how many years of experience they have. Sittercity.com has looser requirements than Care.com and Nanny Harmony.
Chicago Babysitting
Of course, every child is different, so the best childcare for one child may differ from the best childcare for another. The best platform for you also depends on whether you are looking for short-term or long-term care. Finding a trustworthy Chicago babysitter is no easy feat, but these platforms make the search a little bit easier.
So are you ready for more Chicago family content? Well, the blog links below are just for you! Find more tips on family life in Chicago, as well as work from my portfolio. But before you go, reach out today to chat about your dream family photos!
