Choosing the right sitter

You've posted a job and the applications are coming in. This guide walks through how to read each applicant, what to check on a profile, and how to book with confidence. Every sitter who applies has already passed Wyndy's checks, so your job is to find the right fit for your family, not to screen for safety from scratch.

Where your options come from

There are two ways to find a sitter. Most families post a job and choose from the sitters who apply. You can also browse the Sitters tab and start a job from a sitter you like.

From a sitter's profile in the Sitters tab, tap Post a job ("To {name}"). That sitter is invited, and you can add other sitters on the Post to step. See Finding sitters and Inviting specific sitters.

Read your applicants

1. Open the Jobs tab and tap your job.

   A dot on the Jobs tab means new applicants. You also get a notification with the sitter's name when someone applies.

2. Scan each applicant card.

   Favorites you've saved appear first, marked with a heart. Each card shows the sitter's photo, first name and last initial, the start of their bio, and a short line of facts.

3. Tap View profile on anyone you're considering.

   The full profile has their reviews, experience, education and verifications. Opened from your applicants, the profile has a Book button at the bottom, plus Message when you can message that sitter.

4. Tap the X on anyone who isn't a fit.

   They move to a Declined list. Tap Undo right away, or restore them later from that list.

5. Tap Confirm Booking on your choice, then Confirm & book.

   The app asks "Book {Name}?" first, and Go back leaves things as they were. Once you confirm, your sitter is booked straight away. They already committed to the job when they applied, so there's no second confirmation from them.

What the applicant card tells you

Below your applicants, the screen also lists sitters who opened your job and sitters Wyndy notified. They haven't applied, so you can't book them from there.

What to check on a profile

A profile is built from the sitter's application and their history on Wyndy. Read it in this order and you'll know most of what matters in a couple of minutes. More detail is in Sitter profiles.

1. The numbers at the top. Their rating (or "New to Wyndy" if no one has rated them yet), the Background-checked mark, and either their bookings or years of experience.
2. About. Their own words. Look for specifics: ages they've cared for, how they spend time with kids, and why they babysit.
3. Reviews. Tap See all under the reviews to read every one. Reviews that mention kids like yours, or repeat bookings, tell you more than the star average.
4. Childcare Experience. Time on Wyndy and paid babysitting before Wyndy, the ages they work with, Capabilities (such as special needs experience, pets or driving) and Certifications such as CPR or first aid. Experience before Wyndy and certifications are self reported, so ask about them if they matter for your job.
5. Wyndy Verified. Each check they passed: application review, identity and SSN trace through Sterling, a criminal records check, and the sex offender registry through Family Watchdog, plus College verified when they list a college. See Sitter background checks.
6. Education and background. College and class year, plus hometown, high school, activities and career interests if they've added them.

Match the sitter to the job

• Infants and toddlers: look for that age range in their experience, and for an infant safe sleep or CPR certification.
• Driving: if you ticked Driving as a task, check that driving shows among their capabilities. Every applicant also agrees, when they apply, that they have a valid license and auto insurance if the job includes driving.
• Specific needs: check the Capabilities section for experience with your child's needs, and read reviews from families who mention it.
• Pets: if you have pets, check that pets show among their capabilities.

A new sitter or an experienced one?

Every sitter on Wyndy passed the same checks before they could apply, including new ones. A "New to Wyndy" sitter can still have years of paid babysitting, which shows under Before Wyndy on their profile. For a low-stakes evening, a new sitter with strong experience is a good choice. For a first job with a baby, you might lean toward someone with reviews.

Book your choice

Your first booking asks for two things once: Step 1: Add a card and Step 2: Verify identity. Nothing is charged when you book. "We'll place a card on file, but you won't be charged until the job is complete." Later bookings go straight to Confirm Booking.

The success screen says "{Name} is booked!" From there, tap Say hey to message your sitter. See Applicants and booking for every step.

Good to know

• If you sent your job only to specific sitters and other sitters apply too, you get a "Backup sitters available" notification. They show in your applicants like anyone else.
• If an applicant withdraws, they leave your applicants. Opening the notification about their application then says "Sitter is no longer available".
• Favoriting a sitter after a good job puts them at the top of your applicants next time and lets you send jobs to your favorites. See Reviews and favorites.
• If anything on a profile worries you, tap the ⋯ menu and use Report Profile or Block.

Questions

Can I interview a sitter before booking?

Members can message sitters before booking and ask whatever they like. Non-members can message a sitter once they're booked, so many families book, then use the chat to go over the details.

Why can't I book someone in the "Viewed" or "Notified" list?

Those sitters haven't applied. Only applicants have committed to your date and time, so only they can be booked.

Can I book two sitters for one job?

Not on a regular family job. Jobs posted for a group, through "Hiring for a group?", can have several sitters booked. See Churches and groups.

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