Find child care on your terms

Care.com connects families with a wide range of child care services, including full-time and part-time nannies, babysitters for occasional care, and tutors who can assist with homework and subject-specific learning. Families can also search for daycare centers that fit their needs, as well as activities and camps for enrichment. In addition to standard child care, families can filter for caregivers who provide extra support—such as transportation for school drop-offs and pick-ups, meal preparation, after-school care, light housekeeping, and homework assistance.

A Care.com membership provides families with the tools to find and connect with child caregivers. Members can access caregiver profiles, post job listings, and communicate with potential hires through the platform's secure messaging system. They also have the ability to purchase supplemental background checks to help ensure peace of mind when hiring.

Yes, Care.com is a great resource for families who need short-term or one-time child care. Whether you're looking for a babysitter for a date night, an extra hand during school breaks, or emergency backup care, Care.com allows you to connect with caregivers who have flexible availability to meet your needs. The platform makes it easy to find, vet, and book sitters on short notice, ensuring that families always have access to reliable care when unexpected situations arise.

Care.com helps families find caregivers who are experienced in working with children with disabilities and developmental challenges. Families can filter for caregivers who have expertise in supporting children with special needs. By specifying a child's unique needs in a job post, families can connect with caregivers who are best suited to provide a safe and nurturing environment.

Care.com provides multiple screening options to help families make informed hiring decisions. While caregivers create their own profiles, families can take additional steps to vet potential hires. Background checks are available at different levels, including screenings for criminal history and motor vehicle records. Families can also read reviews and ratings left by other users, conduct interviews, and request references to get a clearer sense of a caregiver's experience and reliability.

Yes, families can read reviews and ratings left by others who have previously hired a caregiver. These reviews offer valuable insight into a caregiver's professionalism, reliability, and work ethic—helping families make more informed hiring decisions. Families are encouraged to leave honest feedback after hiring a caregiver to contribute to the community and assist others in their search for quality child care.

After-school care programs provide a structured environment for children outside of school hours. They offer academic support through homework help, allowing children to complete assignments with guidance from tutors or educators. Many programs also incorporate social activities that encourage teamwork and communication, helping kids build friendships and confidence. Physical activity is often a key component, with opportunities for sports, outdoor play, or movement-based games that promote a healthy lifestyle. In addition to educational and recreational benefits, after-school care provides families with reliable supervision, ensuring that children are engaged in meaningful activities while parents finish work or manage other responsibilities.

Families can begin by creating a detailed job post outlining their needs—including schedule, responsibilities, and any special qualifications they require. Families can also browse caregiver profiles—filtering for experience, location, hourly rate, and skills. Reading reviews from other families and checking a nanny's background history can provide further insights into their fit as a candidate. Once potential candidates are identified, families can reach out via Care.com's messaging platform to schedule interviews. During the interview process, it's important to ask about past experience, caregiving style, and availability. References can also be requested to verify work history. To ensure the best fit, some families opt for a trial period—allowing the nanny to spend a few days or weeks with the family before making a final hiring decision. Taking these steps can help families find a trustworthy and dependable nanny who fits seamlessly into their home.