FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I schedule a session if my child is sick?
Please help keep our sitters healthy by only booking sits when your family is also healthy.
Please cancel sessions if your child displays any of these symptoms. Cancellation fees apply for cancellations within 48 hours..
- Sore throat
- Upset stomach
- Fever (exceeding 100.0°F)
- Diarrhea
- Mouth sores
- Ringworm
- Hand, foot, and mouth disease
- Cough or congestion
- Eye, nose, or ear discharge
- Abnormal breathing patterns
- Any contagious illness
Children should be symptom-free from fever, diarrhea, and vomiting for 24 hours without medication before a session.
Children with hand, foot, and mouth disease must be fever-free for 72 hours AND all blisters must be scabbed or dry and inactive.
Learn more about our booking process
If I’m visiting another area where The Sitter Bridge operates, can I book sitters there?
Yes! Simply update your Location and Membership Plan settings to reflect your temporary location, then adjust your Family Profile to include the specific neighborhood you’ll be staying in. You can modify this whenever you travel.
View our service areas
Should I tip my sitter?
Absolutely! We strongly encourage tipping your babysitters. They provide an incredibly valuable service to your family.
Check out our pricing guidelines
If my sitter must pay for parking at my location, who covers that cost?
If your sitter incurs parking fees to sit for your family, please reimburse them—or better yet, offer to cover it upfront.
What if I’m available to end the sit earlier than the scheduled end time?
Since our sitters reserve their time specifically for your family, they should be paid for the full scheduled sit. Please book sessions as accurately as possible. If you need flexibility in timing, book for the longer period and note that the end time may vary.
Remember that all sessions have a 3-hour minimum payment. Even if a sitter is needed for just 1 hour, 3 hours of compensation is required.
Review booking guidelines
What if I’m able to finish earlier than the scheduled end time?
Since our sitters reserve their time specifically for your family, they should receive compensation for the full scheduled duration. Please book sessions as accurately as possible. If you need flexibility in timing, book for the longer period and note that the end time may vary.
Can sitters handle drop-offs and pick-ups?
Yes! Include detailed information in your booking notes about pickup and drop-off locations so potential sitters can decide if they can accommodate this service.
See how to book
What’s the minimum or maximum session length?
We accommodate sessions ranging from 3 hours to overnight. For sessions under 3 hours, 3 hours of payment is still required.
View membership options
I have a newborn or infant. Is your service appropriate?
Absolutely! We have numerous sitters experienced with newborns and infants. When you enter your children’s ages in your profile, you’ll only see sitters comfortable with those age groups when booking. We recognize that every family is unique and encourage you to thoroughly complete your Family Profile so sitters understand your expectations before arriving.
Meet our babysitters
What happens after I request a sitter?
Once you select a sitter, they receive an email notification. Sitters have 48 hours to accept or decline the sit. If they accept, you’ll receive a confirmation email. If they’re unavailable, we’ll either rebook with another sitter or notify you so you can rebook based on your preference.
Learn about our sitters
Am I allowed to meet my sitter before the session?
Your sitter will contact you via text 24-48 hours before the session. Out of respect for our sitters’ time and the number of families they serve, we don’t arrange pre-session meetings. We suggest adding an extra 15 minutes to your booking if you’d like to be present for introductions and to discuss expectations.
How do I modify or cancel my membership?
You can upgrade or downgrade anytime by editing the Location & Membership Plan section in your profile.
To cancel, use the option at the bottom of your profile. Cancellations take effect immediately, so we recommend canceling after your final scheduled session.
Review membership tiers
What if my sitter and I aren’t a good match?
We apologize if the fit wasn’t right. We include extensive information in sitter profiles to help ensure compatibility. With our roster of babysitters throughout Vancouver and Portland, we encourage you to try another sitter who may better suit your family. You can mark any sitter as “Do not want again”
Browse our sitters
What if there’s an issue with my sitter?
We are so glad you had a great experience! You can mark any sitters you love as “Favorites” in your profile and are welcome to request the same sitter in the future, though we cannot guarantee any sitter’s availability for one family.. Please always use the platform when scheduling future sits.
I loved my sitter! Is there a way to guarantee that I can book her again?
We are so glad you had a great experience! You can mark any sitters you love as “Favorites” in your profile and are welcome to request the same sitter in the future, though we cannot guarantee any sitter’s availability for one family.. Please always use the platform when scheduling future sits.
