How it works

How to make a booking

On the Home page of your Sitters app, tap the 'Make a booking' button. Select the date, start and finish times. Select the address where you need childcare (you can add a new address if

How are sitters selected for bookings?

How your sitter is selected for your booking depends on which option you choose when you place your booking. There are two options:. Option 1: Choose for me. If you're short on time and don’t want the hassle of finding childcare, but would like us to

How do I choose my favourite sitters?

In the 'My sitters' section of your app you can view profiles of sitters near you under the 'Recommended' tab. You can tell us which sitters are your favourites (including your Top 3 favourites) and who you'd like us to offer your bookings to first.

How much notice do you need?

We'll always try to meet last minute needs, even if we're given as little as 2 hours' notice. However, the more notice you give us, the better your chance of booking your favourite sitter before someone else does. As soon as your booking is filled, w

Can I choose my sitter?

When you make a booking and there are more than 24 hours before the booking starts, you'll have the option to choose which sitter attends your booking by selecting 'Let me choose'. We'll then contact your Top 3 Favourites first, in order from your 1

What's the earliest start time?

The earliest time that you can make a booking from is 6am.

What's the latest finish time?

Any booking that finishes after 3am will be classed as an overnight booking and your sitter will expect to be paid until at least 6am (even if they leave before 6am). Find out more about overnight bookings.

How long will it take to fill my booking?

How long it takes to fill your booking will depend on how much notice we have before the booking, whether you're happy for us to select a sitter for you, or whether you'd like control over which sitter attends your booking. 'Choose for me' bookings

Do you care for children with additional needs?

Sitters supports many families with children who have additional needs, assisting them in finding the appropriate childcare. While we do not filter based on a sitter's childcare experience or qualifications, we've developed effective methods to meet

How many children can you look after?

A sitter can look after a maximum of 5 children at a booking, depending on the age of each child. More than one sitter may be required if there are more than two children under 3 years old or more than five under 14 years.

Do you provide a school pick-up service?

We do find from time to time that parents need more from the service, such as school drop-off and pick-ups or taking their children outside of the home (e.g. to a park). Some of our sitters can offer this, however we advise that it is up to you to ma

Will my sitter contact me before the booking?

Yes. Your sitter will phone or send you a message 60-90 minutes before the booking (or the evening before if it's a morning booking starting before 10am). This is your reassurance that everything is under control and for the sitter to check direction

I'm nervous about leaving my child?

Leaving your child with a new sitter needn’t be a worry for you or your little one. You wouldn't be the first or last to have felt this when leaving children at a playgroup, nursery or daycare centre. Many parents have these feelings - and then after

Can you explain 'Let me choose'?

When you select 'Let me choose', you'll be able to select which sitter attends your booking from those that have applied.*. We'll always contact your Top 3 Favourites first, in order from your 1st to your 3rd Favourite, before we contact your other F

Can you explain 'Choose for me'?

If you've selected the 'Choose for me' option, we'll choose a sitter for you. We'll always offer your booking to your Top 3 Favourites first, in order from your 1st to your 3rd Favourite, before we offer your booking to your other Favourites. If they

Do your sitters have newborn experience?

Yes - many Sitters' childcarers have years of experience working with newborn babies and infants. You can rest assured that we will only ever offer your bookings to sitters who have the relevant experience for the age of your children.

Can I meet my sitter before the booking?

We understand you might want to meet your sitter before your first booking. While we don't facilitate pre-arranged meetings, we recommend scheduling your sitter to arrive 30 minutes early. This gives you the opportunity to introduce them to your fami

Additional visiting children

Sometimes you may have friends or family to stay and require Sitters to take care of your own children and additional children. It's important that each family, for whom we are providing a sitter, has registered with Sitters and has a current membe

Pets

If you have a dog or cat, please let us know via the My Account page in your app (under the 'Household pets' section). While we ensure that our approved sitters do not have any significant allergies, some may be less comfortable with your family pe

Bookings away from your home address

Wherever you travel in mainland UK, Sitters travels with you. Our carefully selected sitters can provide childcare in all but the most rural locations. We've sent sitters to castles in Scotland, to posh London hotels, to cottages and caravans, even t

Please treat our Customer Support team with respect and patience as they assist you. Thank you for your understanding.