Childcare & Caregivers: 1 Company

What to look at before you use a care marketplace

Online care platforms connect families with babysitters, nannies, tutors, pet sitters and carers for older relatives. Most act as a marketplace: they host profiles and handle messaging, but the caregiver is not their employee. That changes who is responsible for vetting, pay and any problems.

• Screening: read exactly what a "background check" includes, which records it searches and how often it is repeated. A badge on a profile is not a full reference check.
• Membership fees: many platforms charge a monthly or yearly subscription to message caregivers. Note the renewal date and how to switch it off.
• Payment and tax: if you pay a regular caregiver, you may have employer duties depending on where you live. Check local rules.
• Your own checks: interview in person or by video, call references and agree hours, duties and pay in writing.
• Privacy: think about how much you share about your children, home address and schedule in a public job post.

Problems families and caregivers report

Common complaints include subscriptions that renew unexpectedly, refund requests refused after a short window, and fake job posts sent to caregivers that ask them to deposit a check and send part of the money back. Treat any request to move money for a stranger as a warning sign. CandorRated company pages show who runs the website, how long its domain has existed, contact details found and reviews from both families and carers.

Frequently asked questions

Does the platform employ the caregiver?

In most cases, no. The family hires the caregiver directly, so the family sets terms and handles pay.

What should caregivers watch for?

Overpayment schemes, requests to buy gift cards and families who refuse to meet before the job starts.