As a mom, I'm always on the look out for new babysitters. Luckily between my mother-in-law, friends, and some preteen and teenage girls we know, we're covered. But it hasn't always been that way. Just a few years ago I was desperate for a sitter just so my husband and I could go out to dinner and the movies.
We knew no one, and had no relatives nearby. Looking back I wonder how we managed. I could have really used a babysitting service like Care.com back then.
Care.com is a great backup plan if I can't get a babysitter. It's also a service I would consider using when I go back to work outside the home in the near future. Also, it's nice to have a source for tutors as well as eldercare in my mother-in-law's area. (She lives two hours south of us.)
At the moment, the selection in my neighborhood is sparse. But it's growing.
Here's how it works if you're looking for a babysitter, dog sitter, or help with tutoring or eldercare:
- Join Now! Sign up as a family or individual for full access to our community of high-quality, trustworthy caregivers and service providers.
- Find Great Providers. Post a job listing detailing your specific needs, or use our refined search results to find care providers who match your criteria. Request FREE background checks, view photos, videos, references, and more!
- Get Connected. As a member, view contact details for caregivers or send them messages directly through Care.com.
Need a caregiver job? Care.com can help
But what I'm more intrigued with at Care.com is how you can sign up with them to be part of their team of care providers: babysitters, nannies, tutors, pet sitters, dog walkers, and senior care aides.
Care.com makes it easy to find a caregiving job:
Care.com is a free service! - Caregivers can customize their hours, rates and travel requirements.
- Care.com keeps your information safe and secure.
- You get emails with prompt, job-savvy information.
How Care.com works for caregivers:
- Join for FREE! Sign up as an individual or company/agency to create your account. Choose the service you provide, and you can update or add services later through your account page as needed.
- Create your profile and get noticed! Create your provider profile for our network of families looking for care services. Include your photo, references, contact information and even a video interview.
- Let Jobs Find YOU! Check in your Care.com inbox for messages from families seeking care, or check our job listings to apply for local jobs in your area.
For more information, see their FAQs page.
So many of my friends are doing in home daycare and would like to tutor or drive seniors to the store to earn extra income. This is a service I would recommend to them.
In fact, after I finish this review, I'm going to email the URL to my mom's club. Unfortunately this holiday season, many husbands have been laid off and the wives are looking for part-time work. Care.com would be a big help.
