About
Sittercity is a leading online care marketplace that makes it simple for families to find reliable, background-checked caregivers for a wide range of needs — from babysitters and nannies to pet sitters, senior companions, and special needs care providers. The platform operates across 96% of US neighborhoods and has earned over 140,000 five-star parent reviews since its founding. Families create a job post describing their care needs, and qualified sitters apply directly, complete with detailed profiles that include years of experience, certifications (such as First Aid/CPR), parent reviews, language skills, and availability. Parents can message their top candidates to find the perfect match before committing. Sittercity prioritizes safety through a dedicated Trust and Safety Center, offering purchasable background checks, identity verification, fraud prevention measures, and safety screenings for caregivers on the platform. Sittercity is also included as a benefit for Bright Horizons corporate clients. The platform caters to a diverse set of care needs — occasional date-night babysitting, regular after-school nannying, pet feeding and walking, and in-home companionship for seniors. Its straightforward search and application flow, combined with transparent caregiver profiles, gives busy families confidence and peace of mind when finding care they can trust.
Key Features
- Multi-Category Care Search: Search for child care, pet care, senior care, or special needs care all in one platform, with results tailored to your location.
- Detailed Caregiver Profiles: View sitter profiles with years of experience, certifications (First Aid/CPR, Early Education), parent reviews, availability, and response times.
- Job Post & Application System: Post a care job describing your needs and let qualified sitters apply to you — streamlining the hiring process without endless searching.
- Safety & Trust Features: Background checks, identity verification, fraud prevention, and safety screenings are available to help families hire with confidence.
- Nationwide Coverage: Available in 96% of US neighborhoods with a large network of caregivers and over 140,000 five-star parent reviews.
Use Cases
- A working parent needs a reliable after-school nanny on weekdays and uses Sittercity to post a job and receive applications from experienced local nannies.
- A couple planning a spontaneous date night finds a last-minute babysitter nearby who responds within 30 minutes and has multiple five-star parent reviews.
- A family going on vacation connects with a trusted local pet sitter to handle daily feeding and dog walks while they're away.
- An adult child looking for in-home companion care for an aging parent searches Sittercity for qualified senior care providers in their parent's neighborhood.
- A Bright Horizons corporate benefits member activates their included Sittercity access to quickly find vetted child care options near their home.
Pros
- Large Verified Network: With 140,000+ five-star reviews and coverage across 96% of US neighborhoods, finding a qualified caregiver near you is fast and reliable.
- Comprehensive Safety Tools: Background checks, identity verification, and fraud prevention give families meaningful assurance before hiring.
- Flexible Care Options: Supports a wide variety of care scenarios — from one-off date nights to regular nannying — across multiple care categories.
- Free to Start: Families can search and post jobs for free, lowering the barrier to finding care without an upfront commitment.
Cons
- US-Only Platform: Sittercity is limited to the United States, making it unavailable for families in other countries.
- Full Features Require a Paid Plan: While basic search is free, accessing all messaging and application features typically requires a paid subscription plan.
- Background Checks Are an Add-On: Comprehensive background checks must be purchased separately and are not automatically included with all plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Sittercity work for families?
Families create a free account, post a care job describing their needs (type of care, schedule, location), and receive applications from nearby caregivers. They can then review profiles, read parent reviews, and message their top picks to find the right match.
Is Sittercity free to use?
Sittercity offers a free search so families can browse caregiver profiles. Full access to messaging and job posting features requires a paid value plan, with savings of up to 60% available on select plans.
How does Sittercity verify its caregivers?
Sittercity offers background checks, identity verification, and safety screenings through its Trust and Safety Center. Families can purchase background checks for additional peace of mind.
What types of care can I find on Sittercity?
Sittercity covers child care (babysitters and nannies), pet care (feeding, walks, sitting), senior and companion care, and special needs care — all searchable by location.
Is Sittercity available in my area?
Sittercity is available in 96% of US neighborhoods, including major cities like New York, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and many more across the country.
