A first job with a new sitter

A first job with someone new goes best when your sitter walks in already knowing the kids, the house and the plan. This guide covers what to put in the job, what to send once they're booked, and what to do during and after the job.

What goes where

Wyndy gives you three places to share information, and each one has a different audience. Put each detail in the right place and you won't share too much with sitters who never get booked.

Set up the job

You'll fill these in as you post the job. See Posting a job for every screen.

1. Add your kids on Who needs care?.

   Tap each child who needs care, or add a child. For each one you can add Specific needs and Notes ("Share anything else you would like a sitter to know about this child"). Allergies, medications and comfort items belong here, since they come back on every job.

2. Write the plan on Describe the job.

   The description is required, up to 1,000 characters. "A sentence or two is plenty," but for a first job a short timeline helps. Then tap any Job tasks that apply: Feeding, Bathing, Driving, Put kids to bed or Kids will be in bed.

3. Answer the Additional details.

   Switch on Any pets?, Will other adults be there? or Anyone been sick recently? and add a line for each. A sitter who knows about the dog or a visiting grandparent won't be surprised at the door.

4. Fill in the arrival notes on your Location.

   Under Parking instructions, say where to park. Under Meeting spot, pick Front door, Back door or Other. These notes are saved on the address, so they're filled in next time.

A good first-job description

Here's one for an evening with two kids:

Dinner is in the fridge, heat it at 6. Bath for our 4-year-old at 7, then books and bed by 7:30. Our 8-year-old can read in bed until 8:30. No screens after dinner. We'll be back by 10.

It says what happens, when, and what the rules are, in one short paragraph. Your address, phone number and door code stay out of it.

Once you've booked

When you book, the success screen says you can message your sitter in the app until the job is complete. Tap Say hey to start the chat, and send the details that only your booked sitter should have.

What to send your sitter

• Your phone number and a second emergency contact.
• How to get in: a door code, a lockbox or who will open the door.
• Allergies and medications again, with where any medicine or EpiPen is kept.
• The Wi-Fi password, screen rules and anything off limits.
• Where the first aid kit is, and the nearest hospital if you're going far.
• When you expect to be back, and that you'll message if that changes.

Tap Add to calendar on the job so it's in your calendar too. Wyndy sends you a "Job Reminder" notification the day before and a couple of hours before the start.

On the day

1. Be home for the handover.

   Give yourself ten minutes to show your sitter around: the kids' rooms, the kitchen, the first aid kit and the exits. Introduce the kids and go over the plan in person.

2. Keep in touch through the job.

   The job moves to Happening now at the top of your Jobs tab. It shows the time left and a map of the job's location (it isn't live tracking). Tap Message to check in.

3. Tap Get help if something isn't right.

   The job shows "Need a hand?" with Get help while it's live, for example if your sitter hasn't arrived. In an emergency, call 911 first.

More on this in During a job.

After the job

Your sitter submits their start and end time, and you get a "Time to pay" notification. On the wrap-up screen, "Check the hours and your selections, then pay."

1. Check Hours worked.

   If the time looks wrong, tap Edit. Pay is worked out by the minute at your hourly rate.

2. Pick a tip.

   15% of your sitter's pay is selected for you. Choose another amount, Other amount or Remove tip. "100% of your tip goes to your sitter."

3. Rate the job under How did {Name} do?.

   Tap the stars, then leave a written review if you like. Your rating helps the next family choose.

4. Tick Add {Name} to your favorites if it went well.

   "Favorites see your jobs first." They also show first when they apply, and you can send a job only to your favorites.

5. Tap Pay & finish.

   The button shows the total, for example "Pay $94.67 & finish". "You can pay now or you'll be charged in 24 hours."

See Paying and tipping for the fees on the wrap-up.

Good to know

• Without a membership, your chat with a sitter closes 24 hours after the job's scheduled end. Members keep chatting after a job.
• If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start, a $20 fee goes to your sitter. See Cancelling a job.
• If your sitter cancels before the start, Wyndy reposts your job and alerts you as sitters apply. A late cancellation by the sitter also gets you a $10 credit.
• Your kids' section on your family profile is only visible to sitters you've booked.

Questions

Should I share my address in the description?

No. Your address is on the job already, and sitters see only the distance and a map of the area before they're booked. Your booked sitter gets the full address with directions.

Can I change the job after posting?

No. A posted job can't be edited. Cancel it and post a new one: cancelling is free while no one is booked, and free up to 24 hours before the start once someone is.

What if we come home late?

Message your sitter as soon as you know. They submit the time they actually worked, and the wrap-up shows how it compares with the time you booked.

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