Parent Questions:

General:

How much do Bay Area sitters make per hour?

Sitters and nannies in the Bay Area usually make anywhere from
$13-20+ per hour.  SuperSitters, being more qualified and experienced
than the average sitter, make anywhere from $13-18+ per hour, with
most starting at a minimum of $14-$16 per hour (for one child, each additional child is usually $1 or $2 more per hour).  Each SuperSitter either lists their chosen minimum rate, or simply writes "negotiable."  Rates are negotiable directly between the parent and the sitter.

What is Trustline?

Trustline is a state-run criminal background check on child-care providers.  All SuperSitters are either Trustlined (and have been verified), screened through Social Services (also verified), or have had a criminal background check through an independent investigative background check company.  You can learn more about Trustline at www.trustline.org, or by calling 1-800-822-8490.

What areas does Bay SuperSitters cover?

Bay SuperSitters has five different areas:
1. San Francisco
2. Upper Peninsula (San Bruno, Daly City, Burlingame, San Mateo, and surrounding areas)
3. Lower Peninsula (Palo Alto, Redwood City, Woodside, Los Altos, and surrounding areas)
4. South Bay (San Jose and surrounding areas)
5. East Bay (Oakland, Berkeley, Hayward, Walnut Creek, Lafayette, and surrounding areas)

Member families receive all the sitters in their area, and member families that are on the border of two areas will receive both lists.

Parent Questions:

Why would I want to become a member family?

1.  Safety - The stringent background screening, reference and qualification checking of our sitters ensures that you'll have the best care available for your child.
2.  Save Hassle - Screening potential caregivers is time-consuming and can be expensive
3.  Be Prepared - For last minute, emergency, or even date night needs
4.  One-time Fee Structure - For most families, the one-time fee structure is more cost effective than paying per-time agency fees, as well as ensuring a higher quality of sitter

How are sitter qualifications checked by Bay SuperSitters?

Bay SuperSitters conducts an in-person interview with each sitter prior to screening, learning about their experience, needs, and child-care interests.  Each sitter must also be legally able to work, proficient in English, and have a minimum of two years child care experience (and often much more).

During the interview, sitters provide:
1. Driver's License
2. Social Security card (alternately verifiable through investigative co.)
3. Child/Infant CPR card
4. Proof of car insurance (to be listed as "reliable insured car")
5. Proof of college education (alternately verifiable though investigative co.)
6. Clean driving record (usually obtained by Bay SuperSitters though investigative co.)

Additionally, each sitter provides at least two excellent child care references, which are called and verified by Bay SuperSitters, and each sitter's criminal record is checked through Trustline, Social Services, or investigative co.

What is the ratio of member families to sitters per area?

The ratio is not greater than 1:1; for instance, if there are twenty-one available sitters in the East Bay, then no more than twenty-one families in the East Bay would be enrolled.

What if there are no member family spaces available?

Interested families may waitlist, and will be notified as soon as another member family space becomes available.

What is expected of member families?

Treat your Bay SuperSitters as the highly qualified professionals they are.  Bay SuperSitters will come expecting to play with and teach your children, so their primary duties should be child care, not housework.  Bay SuperSitters will not cancel on you (extenuating circumstances aside), so please give them the same courtesy.  Also, please be sure to read the typical sitter rate information at the top of this page.

How many sitters will I have in my area?

Member families receive a minimum of 20-45 screened sitters in their area (please call or email to ask about a specific area).

How do I keep a current list?

Updated lists are available by mail, up to three times per year ONLY upon the member family's request, at NO CHARGE.  Additionally, sitter removals or availability changes are occasionally sent to member families by email.  Should a member family have a critical need that they cannot fill, they can contact Bay SuperSitters to immediately obtain any newly added sitters.