Boulder Creek student says app helps grow her babysitting network.
It used to be that finding a babysitter would happen through word of mouth, usually friends of a family. Then, as social media community groups grew, sitter recommendations would happen through that platform. Now, there’s quite literally—an app for that.
Bambino Sitters, a community-based babysitting app that’s spreading nationwide, recently launched in Phoenix, offering busy parents a simpler way to find a trusted sitter, oftentimes with short notice.
The app’s purpose is made possible with its algorithms that make it easy to match parents to sitters who not only fit their criteria, but also with sitters based on personal recommendations from people they know. And, before a sitter can join the app and offer their services to local parents, they must include a reference from a parent in the local community.
For Lina Keown, an Anthem resident and student at Boulder Creek High School, the app was just what she was looking for in finding a convenient and safe way to connect with families in need of a sitter.
She likes the app’s simplicity and efficiency.
“It’s very easy to find local families and I can do it at my own pace. I love it because I can easily work it around school and my extracurricular activities and not feel overwhelmed,” Lina told Valley Vibe in an email.
So far, she’s had 13 bookings through the app and found a family that she regularly sits for who had just moved to Anthem through the app. She hopes more families will sign up on the app.
Lina’s mother, Amber, told Valley Vibe she likes the safety features that Bambino offers.
“… A screening process for both parents and sitters including ID verification, cell phone number verification and sex offender checks… gave me enough confidence toward the validity and safety of the app for Lina,” Amber said in an email.
Sitters also have the opportunity to provide confidential feedback about their experiences with families.
How the app works
Once the app is downloaded parents can:
• Search for sitters based on experience, availability & skill set.
• Send booking requests to one or more candidates.
• View sitter rates upfront and pay electronically, ensuring secure transactions.
• Access 24/7 member care support for urgent babysitter needs, cancellations or rebooking.
“Bambino takes the tedious work out of finding reliable care for parents and the job search for sitters,” said Bethany Dean, Community Coordinator for Bambino in Arizona. “The app lets you bypass uncomfortable negotiations and simply line up a sitter or a job, all with a support system designed to connect local families.”
Sitters can sign up for Bambino at no cost. Parents can choose between a free account and a premium membership with perks like waived booking fees, same-day sitter access and multi-date scheduling for less than $9/month.
By Karen Goveia
editor@valleyvibenews.com