Finding last-minute care

Plans changed, or your usual sitter can't make it, and you need someone tonight or tomorrow. This guide covers how to post a short-notice job so it reaches the most sitters, get set up to book in one tap, and what to do if your sitter cancels. A short-notice job works like any other job on Wyndy, with one difference: once someone is booked, it's already inside the 24-hour cancellation window.

Get ready to book

If you've never booked on Wyndy, your first booking asks you to add a card and verify your identity. Do both as soon as the first sitters apply, so booking takes one tap when you've chosen.

1. Look for Speed up your booking on your job's applicants screen.

   It appears under your applicants and lists what's left: Add a payment method and Verify your ID ("A quick check that keeps everyone safe"). The block disappears once both are done.

2. Have your driver's license ready.

   The ID check asks for your license and a selfie. It's a one-time step.

3. Turn on notifications.

   You're notified the moment a sitter applies. If notifications are off, turn them on in your phone's settings. The app shows their status under Me, then Account, then Notifications.

Post the job

1. Tap Post a job and choose One-time.

   Pick today or tomorrow on the calendar. A start time that has already passed is rejected: "That start time has passed. Pick a later time today, or another day."

2. Keep the description short and complete.

   Ages, what the evening involves and the tasks. A sitter deciding in minutes needs the essentials, not the full house rules.

3. Check your arrival notes.

   Parking and the meeting spot are saved on your address, so they're likely filled in already.

4. Consider a rate above Smart Rate.

   The rate screen says a rate above Smart Rate tends to draw more sitters, and below it fewer may apply. On short notice, more sitters is what you want.

5. Choose All sitters on Post to.

   "Everyone available near you" reaches the most people. Ticking Previously booked or Favorites instead notifies only the sitters on those lists.

6. Tap Post Job.

   "Your job is posted! We notified nearby sitters."

Every screen is covered in Posting a job.

While you wait

• Watch your applicants. Open the job from the Jobs tab. Your favorites show first if they apply, marked with a heart.
• Message sitters you know. Members can message any sitter before booking. If you have favorites, a quick message asking if they're free can save time.
• See who's looked. Below your applicants, the screen lists sitters who opened your job and sitters Wyndy notified. They haven't applied yet.

Book quickly

Every applicant has already said they're free at your time and agreed to work the job if you book them. When someone suitable applies, read their profile, then tap Confirm Booking and Confirm & book. There's no wait for the sitter to accept. See Choosing the right sitter for a quick way to read a profile.

Then message your sitter the details they need tonight: your phone number, how to get in, and anything about the kids that isn't in the job.

What short notice changes

If your sitter cancels

If your booked sitter cancels before the job starts, Wyndy puts your job back up for you. You get a notification that says "We're finding you a new sitter" for that date and "We'll alert you as sitters apply." If they cancelled within 24 hours of the start, it adds "A $10 credit is on its way to you!" The credit comes off your next booking automatically.

Sitters who applied to the job before can get a notice that it's open again, so you may see familiar names apply. Book a new sitter from your applicants the same way as before.

If nobody applies

• Raise the rate and post again. A posted job can't be edited, but cancelling it is free while no one is booked.
• Widen the time window if you can. A start time an hour later can reach sitters who finish class or work first.
• If no one is booked by the start time, the job lapses and shows as Not filled under your past jobs.

Good to know

• If you already have a job that day, the app shows "You have plans" with that job. Tap Book another sit this day to carry on.
• A post you leave part-way is saved under Me, then Draft Jobs.
• If your sitter hasn't arrived, open the job and tap Get help.

Questions

How fast will sitters apply?

It depends on your area, the time and the rate. Nearby sitters are notified as soon as you post, so applications can come in soon after.

Can I book a sitter without posting a job?

No. Every booking starts with a job. To go straight to one sitter, open their profile and tap Post a job, which sends the job to them and, if you choose, to sitters nearby.

Is there a fee for short notice?

No. The service and processing fees are the same whenever you book. See Fees and charges.

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