Launched in 2007, Care.com is an online platform helping care seekers find safe, affordable care for their loved ones. The services include childcare, senior care, special needs care, pet care, and housekeeping. Parents can also find tutors on the site.
Care.com is a two-sided marketplace enabling service providers to post jobs and find potential employers. To safeguard the public, all potential caregivers undergo a mandatory background check before starting their job search.
At a glance: Care.com pros and cons
Care.com pros
- Nationally useable platform to find caregivers
- Annual background check
- Extensive user base
- Widely recognized brand for caregivers and families to find help
Care.com cons
- Memberships auto-renew
- Only premium members can contact caregivers directly
- Terrible messaging capabilities
- Virtually unusable without a membership
What is Care.com?
Care.com is an online marketplace that connects members with local caregivers. The platform features the following caregiving jobs:
- Baby-sitting, nanny, special needs, and daycare services
- Tutoring
- Pet care
- Senior care
- Housekeeping and laundry services
Care.com does background checks, known as CareChecks, on all users before their profiles are posted. Messaging, profiles, and job listings are monitored to weed out any inappropriate behavior
Families and caregivers can both choose from two packages, a free basic version or the premium subscription. However, you can't contact anyone on the platform without a premium membership (either as a caregiver or carefinder).
Caregivers can signup for free to create a profile but most pay the background check fee. Potential employers can post jobs without contact details but can't message anyone without a premium membership. To review applicants you can also buy supplementary background checks, like checking the National Sex Offender Public database, criminal databases, and even driving records or traffic violations.
How does Care.com work?
Joining Care.com is quick and easy. You enter your name, needs, and email address. Answer a few questions to narrow your caregiving needs and find a suitable fit. Once enrolled, you can post a job for the caregiving work.
Employers
The basic membership allows families to search and see caregiver profiles, post a job, and see applicant profiles. You can't post contact details in your job or message caregivers, so a free membership doesn't really help you find a caregiver.
Caregivers
if you would like to create a caregiver account, you need to pay for the Carecheck since all caregivers all caregivers are required to complete our background check – CareCheck -in order to interact with families. There is an associated annual screening fee required with a Basic membership.
With the Basic membership you will be able to apply for jobs or send messages to the families. However, if you pay for a premium membership, a CareCheck is included in a Premium membership at no additional cost.
How much does Care.com cost?
The quoted prices do not include local sales taxes. They can also vary based on how long you've been a customer. You can cancel at any time. Unless you do, the subscription will automatically renew at the end of the paid period.
You provide your credit card details when you register. When you confirm a booking for a caregiver, you'll be charged.
What makes Care.com special
Care.com connects people and helps to match skills with caregiving needs. Here's why it works so well.
Reputation
It is quick and easy to set up a profile. Care.com also provides easy job posting and payment facilities. Payment is managed via the well-known Stripe platform. The caregiver receives funds within three days after you pay. They can accept the money via their profile and transfer it directly into their bank accounts.
Background checked caregivers
Care.com looks after member safety, conducting background checks on every caregiver accepted onto the site. Care.com also provides users with reviews and reference checks.
Large database
Care.com claims the world's largest network of background-checked caregivers. It operates in 17 countries and has widespread brand recognition. That makes both caregivers and employers more likely to sign up.
Access through membership
If you consider how much time, luck, and effort it takes to find a good nanny by word of mouth (assuming they're even available), paying $13/month for a platform is worth the money. Paying for the service allows you to message caregivers.
Find jobs as a caregiver or housecleaner
As a caregiver or house cleaner, it may be difficult to find work. Care.com offers an easy way to do that. They have also started screening job postings to try to check for spam, but you should still be careful about who you give your information and talk to. Try to verify the legitimacy of a posting before talking to the employer.
What to watch for when using Care.com
There are a couple of pitfalls to look out for when signing up for the Care.com service.
Membership auto-renew
Care.com automatically renews your membership, so you could be in for another year unless you remember to cancel.
Limited functionality on the free version
The Care.com basic version is limited. You cannot contact any preferred caregivers unless you have the paid version.
Awful messaging system
The messaging system is the worst ever. Honestly — you can't search for messages, if you try to message alot of people, good luck ever finding them again. But you really have no choice. The best thing to do is to ask for a phone number and continue chatting from there.
Who is Care.com best for?
Care.com is ideally suited to families looking for a safe platform they can use to find occasional or long-term child care providers.
People with older parents needing in-home care could also find this service very useful as some of the caregivers can also provide for special needs.
Housekeeping duties, tutoring, and pet sitters are other services offered.
Who could benefit more from another platform?
Care.com may be the biggest provider of care services, but it isn't the only one. You may find a better site among those listed below.
Sittercity
Sittercity works in a similar way as Care.com, but doesn't seem to be as commonly used. You sign up as a care seeker and advertise or browse the site to find caregivers who meet your requirements and preferences. You can find overnight and longer-term nannies. Other available services include pet care, senior care, and tutoring. There are no housekeeping services. For a fee, you have several background check options.
UrbanSitter
Urbansitter offers only childcare services. There are no senior care, pet care, or special care services on offer. Urbansitter is cheaper than Care.com, but it hosts fewer caregivers looking for job opportunities.
Care.com vs. Bambino.com
Bambino.com offers on-demand and shorter-term childcare services. The platform matches providers with users by accessing their location and friend networks. Caregivers must receive an endorsement from another community member. Bambino.com is cheaper than Care.com but it doesn't have a natural way to post a long-term job. The company does background checks on all new users.
Dependable care providers on-demand
Care.com offers families that need help an indispensable service at a budget-friendly cost. The service is easy to access and use, and background checks offer some protection from scammers. Care.com provides a more comprehensive service than similar services, covering aspects like childcare, senior care, pet care, and housekeeping services.
FAQs
What is the difference between a babysitter and a nanny?
Typically, a babysitter looks after a child for a set time over a short period. A nanny takes responsibility for a child over an extended period and becomes involved in the child's upbringing.
Do nannies clean the house?
Nannies may do light household chores, but their primary responsibilities are to the children. You can discuss specifically responsibilities with each caregiver.
Are online caregiving sites safe?
Most reputable sites do a background check and monitor messaging and profiles to keep the site safe. It is, however, essential to do your own reference and review checks.