FAQs

How do I get paid for a booking?

Find out about getting paid for your bookings here.

Where do bookings take place?

Most childcare bookings take place in the family's home, creating a familiar and comfortable environment for the children. We also offer childcare services in other locations, such as:. Your safety and comfort are important to us. We'll always give y

Can I control which job offers I receive?

Yes - you can use the Availability section in the app to update your regular weekly availability and let us know when you're happy to receive job offers, and when you're unavailable in a typical week. Declining job offers. When you receive a job offe

How long are bookings?

A typical Sitters booking is for around 4-5 hours. The minimum booking is 2 hours and we also offer overnight* bookings (up to 24 hours). We'll always provide you with all the details up front so that you can apply for the job offers that suit you be

Should I contact parents during the booking?

While not always necessary, many parents appreciate a quick text message update during bookings, especially if their children are young, unwell, or it's your first time meeting. This keeps them informed and allows you to address any concerns they mig

What's involved in an overnight booking?

An overnight booking is when the booking extends past 03:00. In such cases, you can expect payment until 06:00, even if you've agreed with the parents to leave before then. However, please remember, you're not obliged to stay until 06:00 if the booki

Extra children at a booking?

Parents are reminded that their Sitters account should only list their own children. However, from time to time, you may find that there are extra children present at a booking you’re attending. If parents choose to host children other than their own

Will I know if there are pets at a booking?

While most Sitters are comfortable with cats and dogs, we understand that some may prefer a pet-free environment. To help you choose the right booking, parents can indicate any cats or dogs in their household and this information will be included in

What should I know about hotel bookings?

Here are some tips for when your booking is at a hotel. Upon arrival, let the hotel reception know you'll be babysitting for the family. It's a good idea to bring along something to read, as watching TV may not always be an option. Occasionally, ther

What if I have to cancel a booking?

We understand that everyone will occasionally have the need to cancel a booking but we do closely monitor booking cancellations. If you accept a booking and later find you're unable to attend for reasons beyond your control (eg illness or a family em

What happens if a parent cancels?

We understand that unexpected situations arise, and sometimes a family may need to cancel a booking. If a sitter has already been confirmed and it's less than 12 hours to the booking start time, we suggest to parents that they consider making a goodw

What if parents are late/early arriving home?

Occasionally, parents may contact you during the booking to ask whether you would be happy to extend or shorten the booking slightly. You and the parents can discuss this, and if you agree, the booking times can be easily adjusted via the App at the

How do I see my reviews?

We encourage parents to share their reviews and feedback about each sitter they meet. When we receive positive reviews from families you've worked with, you'll be able to see them on your 'My Reviews' page. This helps you know how much your efforts a

How many children per booking?

We recommend that a sitter can look after a maximum of 5 children, depending on the age of each child. We ask parents to book more than one sitter if there are more than two children under 3 years old or more than five children under 14 years old.

Caring for children with additional needs

Sitters supports many families with children who have additional needs, assisting them in finding the appropriate childcare. When a booking is confirmed, we provide both the parent and sitter with contact details for each other and encourage them to

Do you provide a school pick-up service?

We do find from time to time that parents need more from the service, for example school drop-off and pick-ups. We ask parents to check with their sitter prior to their arrival, to ensure that they are happy and able to accommodate what is required o

Can I switch off my job offers for a while?

You can pause your account in the App whenever you need a break. Just go to More / My account / My account status. When your account is paused, we'll stop sending you new job offers and you won't be able to apply for any bookings. Don't worry though,

Can I apply for more than one job on the same day/time?

Yes - you can apply for as many job offers as you like that are on the same day or that have times that crossover with each other. Once you have been confirmed into a booking, any other bookings that crossover with that booking will no longer be dis

Will I need to pay tax on my earnings from bookings?

When you are working for Sitters families you remain responsible for any tax reporting and tax settlement on your earnings, your responsibilities are not changed by the introduction of an App. It is your responsibility to consider whether your earnin

Why is the parent's hourly rate different to my hourly rate?

When a parent pays you, they pay a combined fee that includes your hourly rate plus a service fee (7% for most bookings or 9% if the booking is made with 24 hrs notice or less). You will always receive 100% of the hourly rate that you have set.

Why is my booking still in 'Pending'?

When you apply for a booking, its status will initially show as 'Pending' while it's being processed. The processing time may vary depending on factors like the number of applicants for the booking, time until the booking, and the parent's decision-m

Why was my booking unsuccessful?

If your booking is no longer showing as 'Pending' and has not been confirmed, unfortunately this means the booking is no longer available. There are a few reasons why your booking application may be unsuccessful:. Each sitter chooses their own hourly

When will you be closed over Christmas?

Our offices will be closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day but our Customer Service team will be available again on 30th December.

What is a Family Profile?

What is a Family Profile?. The Family Profile is a great way for parents to share what makes their family unique and help you feel welcomed. It lets you know the family a little better and feel prepared for your booking. It's important that you read

What are Health & Care details?

What are Health & Care Details?. To provide the best possible care for the families we look after, we ask parents to share any essential health and care information about their children. This may include details such as additional needs/SEN, allergie

What are Health & Care details? copy

What are Booking Notes? copy

What are Booking Notes?. Booking Notes give parents a space to share their family's care needs for a specific booking. They help you understand the family's expectations, allowing you to determine if you're the right fit for the family's needs. It's