About
Care.com is one of the largest online caregiving marketplaces in the world, designed to help families find reliable, qualified help for every stage of life. Whether you need a babysitter for date night, a full-time nanny, a senior companion for an aging parent, a dog walker, a house cleaner, or a math tutor, Care.com provides a centralized platform to post jobs, browse caregiver profiles, read verified reviews, and hire with confidence. The platform stands out from informal referral networks by offering built-in safety tools such as background checks, identity verification, and curated caregiver profiles that highlight experience, certifications, and specialties (e.g., dementia care, newborn care). Families can post a job and receive applications directly from interested caregivers, or proactively search and message candidates themselves. Care.com also serves caregivers looking for employment opportunities, offering a dedicated job board across all care categories. For businesses, Care.com provides employee benefit programs that help companies support working parents and caregivers on their teams. Additional features include access to early learning centers, senior living communities, activity and camp listings, and a robust resource library with articles and cost guides. Plans unlock unlimited hires, broader search capabilities, and savings of up to $1,500/year on home products and services, making it a comprehensive support system for modern families.
Key Features
- Comprehensive Care Categories: One membership covers child care, senior care, adult care, pet care, housekeeping, and tutoring — all in a single platform.
- Verified Caregiver Profiles: Browse detailed profiles with experience, specialties, certifications, and verified reviews from other families.
- Built-In Safety Tools: Access background checks and identity verification tools not available through social media or informal referrals.
- Job Posting & Direct Applications: Post a job describing your exact needs and let qualified caregivers apply directly, or proactively search and message candidates.
- Exclusive Member Discounts: Members save up to $1,500/year on home products and services, plus access to nanny tax support via HomePay™.
Use Cases
- A working parent posts a job for a part-time nanny and receives applications from local candidates with verified experience in infant and toddler care.
- An adult child uses Care.com to find a senior companion with dementia care experience to assist an aging parent at home.
- A busy professional books a recurring house cleaner through the platform, reading reviews and comparing rates before making contact.
- A pet owner finds a trusted dog walker or pet sitter for an upcoming vacation using verified profiles and neighborhood reviews.
- A family relocating to a new city quickly identifies local daycares, after-school programs, and summer camps through Care.com's activity and community listings.
Pros
- Massive Caregiver Network: Over 45 million families and caregivers have used the platform, providing a large and diverse pool of candidates in most locations.
- One Membership, All Needs: A single subscription covers every care category, eliminating the need to use multiple services for different household needs.
- Trust & Safety Features: Background checks, verified reviews, and structured profiles give families greater confidence than informal word-of-mouth hiring.
Cons
- Subscription Required for Full Access: Messaging caregivers and unlocking full search capabilities requires a paid membership starting at $12.99/month.
- Quality Varies by Location: Caregiver availability and quality can differ significantly depending on geographic area, especially in rural or less-populated regions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Care.com cost?
Care.com membership plans start at $12.99/month. A free account allows you to browse profiles, while a paid plan is needed to message caregivers and unlock full features.
What types of care can I find on Care.com?
Care.com covers child care (nannies, babysitters, daycares), senior and adult care, pet care (dog walkers, sitters), housekeeping, and tutoring.
Are caregivers on Care.com background checked?
Care.com provides tools for families to run background checks on candidates. Caregivers can also choose to have background checks on their profiles, but it is not mandatory for all listings.
Can caregivers also use Care.com to find jobs?
Yes. Care.com has a dedicated job board where caregivers can create profiles, browse job postings, and apply for positions across all care categories.
Does Care.com offer services for businesses?
Yes. Care.com for Business offers employee benefit programs that help companies provide caregiving support resources to their workforce, supporting working parents and caregivers.
