Melanie MoralesFinding somebody you can trust to watch your children can be a daunting task, especially if you’re looking by yourself. Luckily for you, we’ve curated this list of the best babysitter services in Edmonton to help you find the help you need.
We took a look at several online platforms and chose them because of their trustworthy reputations, client feedback, and vast network of available sitters. With these services, you’ll be able to hire a sitter easily.
If this is your first time hiring a babysitter, then you’ll probably want to know how much it will cost first. Let’s go ahead and talk about expenses before we dive into our list.
How Much Does a Babysitter Cost in Edmonton?
The average hourly rate of babysitters across Canada ranges from $15 – $17, and may reach up to $20 per hour, depending on the province. Several factors can determine a sitter’s rate, including their years of experience and any first aid or CPR certifications they currently hold.
| Company | Service | Cost |
| Birdie Break | Sitter | $18.75 – $25.00 per hour |
| Tutor | $25.00 – $50.00 per hour | |
| Blend (Sitter & Tutor) | $25.50 – $31.25 | |
| Preferred Nannies | Local Nanny/Caregiver from database | $1,335.00 *2-year contract |
| Overseas Nanny/Caregiver from database | $1,190 or $39/month payment plan *2-year contract | |
| Care.com | Babysitter *with 1 year experience | $14.07 per hour * for one child |
| Babysits | Babysitter | $15.00 per hour with $19.99 monthly subscription fee |
| myBestHelper | 1-month subscription | $59.90 per month |
| 3-month subscription | $36.70 per month | |
| 1-year subscription | $14.00 per month |
The Best Babysitter Services in Edmonton
Now that you have a better idea of how much this will all cost, we can now look at our top picks for the best babysitter services in Edmonton.
1. Birdie Break
| SERVICES | Babysitter, Tutor, Blend (Babysitter & Tutor) |
| WEBSITE | https://www.birdiebreak.com/ |
| ADDRESS | Edmonton, AB T6J 0K7 |
| CONTACT DETAILS | Phone: (780) 887-2469 Email: [email protected] |
The concept of Birdie Break was born from the first-hand experience of the owners, Melissa and Cressida, after witnessing and experiencing the difficulty of hiring a quality babysitter. Their main drive is to provide parents an easy and safe option to hire a babysitter while being reliable and convenient at the same time.
After some time, they realized that parents are also equally concerned about their child’s educational standing and sought out to add tutorial services to their platform. Today, Birdie Break offers three service options on its mobile app of either a sitter, tutor, or “blend” (a combination of both a sitter and a tutor).
Booking is easy – families will select the service that they’re looking for along with their needed date and time on the app. Interested applicants will then submit their profiles for review and once they’re chosen, the job is booked.
Profiles of the “providers” or babysitters include their hourly rates, a short biography, and “tags” that indicate what their qualifications are. It’s important to note that each provider is an independent contractor and has the freedom to set their own hourly rates.
We like that each provider undergoes a screening process that includes mandatory police background checks with a vulnerable sector search, which is required for any work involving children. They must have at least one year of verified experience and a CPR or choking training certificate.
You can book once or set up a recurring schedule with your chosen provider and payment is done strictly in the app. Any payment done outside or attempts to hire a provider outside of the app will automatically result in a void contract.
Nevertheless, what you get with Birdie Break are experienced and certified providers, with others even willing to help with household chores. With high standards for qualifications and ease of booking, this child care service earns the top spot on our list.
Pros
- Strict background check and requirements for providers
- Basic CPR or choking training is required
- Providers can set their own rates
Cons
- Can only book up to two months in advance
- Charges $25 for booking cancellations
- Will be charged full scope of time even if you get back early
Customer Reviews
Birdie Break has received almost unanimous praise from families who were extremely happy with the sitters provided and the ease of booking. Brian Golamco., shares his experience:
“I love this service! All I had to do was book an appointment on their website and then I was sent a few profiles of sitters to choose from. Once I chose a sitter that I thought would be a perfect fit for my 2 daughters, the booking was confirmed and she showed up to our house on time. It was that easy! My kids loved their sitter. They said she was very fun, and played with them until it was bed time. I also love that I don’t have to worry about stopping at the bank on the way home to grab cash to pay the sitter as Birdie just sends an invoice after the service is complete and I can pay with my credit card instead (very convenient). I will definitely be using this service again and would recommend it to anyone!!
Megan L., another client, writes:
“Praise was fantastic! My boys warmed up to her once I left. She’s so friendly and kind. My toddler had a blast playing with her and she was able to ease the stress of my 10 month old (separation anxiety). For sure I’ll be using Birdie Break again, and hope that Praise will be available. Thank you very much! “
2. Preferred Nannies
| SERVICES | Live-In/ Live-Out Nanny, Childcare Nanny, Eldercare Nanny, Special Needs Nanny |
| WEBSITE | https://www.preferrednannies.com/ |
| ADDRESS | 10335 178 St NW Edmonton, Suite 204, Edmonton, AB T5S1R5 |
| CONTACT DETAILS | Toll-Free: 1-800-899-8841 Phone: (780) 430-7987 Fax: (780) 430-8399 Email: [email protected] |
| OPERATING HOURS | Monday to Friday: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm |
Preferred Nannies has helped families across Canada since 1981 find high-quality nannies and caregivers. They have widened their scope outside of Edmonton by setting up a network for nannies overseas as well.
With stringent screening processes, Preferred Nannies ensures that the nannies listed on their online database have been vetted, checked, and are highly qualified. Clients are put through the same procedure as well, to ensure that both parties are safe and are getting the best experience possible.
Focusing their services on live-in or live-out nannies, this company understands that receiving first-hand care is different from a day home or a home for the elderly. With this kind of one-on-one arrangement, both families and nannies benefit more from the experience.
What makes this more than just a simple babysitter arrangement is that contracts last for two years with the option of extending should you wish to do so. Should a sitter not complete their contract for whatever reason, Preferred Nannies will immediately supply you with a new one at no extra cost.
The caregivers here are required to have a minimum of two years of experience, security clearance, and medical checks. So you can rest assured that each profile you’re browsing has been screened and you’ll be completely involved in the interviewing and hiring process.
The care providers aren’t charged a fee by the company – all fees collected by Preferred Nannies are charged to the employer for using their service.
Additionally, families are also expected to cover all transportation costs of their care provider, whether it’s a fuel or bus fare or a plane ticket to go to Edmonton.
This is because Preferred Nannies can help you hire a caregiver from overseas since they’re operated by an Immigration Agency, and they’ll handle all the necessary papers for an added fee.
Pros
- Contracts are at least two-years long
- Can assist hiring overseas workers
Cons
- For long-term child care services only
- Expensive
Customer Reviews
Preferred Nannies has been a go-to for long-term child care around Canada. Julie Marie, a mother of two, shares her story:
“I just wanted to give you a little update on our nanny Ninfa. She has been nothing short of amazing to our family since she arrived to Canada and in our home in September. I could not have imagined a better scenario for childcare for our 2 boys. They have gotten used to her very quickly and have accepted her as part of our family. As a consequence, my return to work was made much easier and less stressful. Opting for a live-in nanny for childcare has truly been a great decision for our family. Thank you for your help and guidance in choosing our nanny. She’s a really good match for us and we hope she stays with us for several years to come!”
Shawna J, another happy client, also shares her thoughts:
“I wanted to touch base with you quickly to let you know we are extremely pleased! I am confident this has been one of the best decisions our family has made. The boys are really taking to her and I am quickly realizing the great benefits of our new arrangement. I cannot thank you enough for all of your hard work you put forth in making this a reality for our family, it is greatly appreciated!”
3. Care.com
| SERVICES | Babysitters, Nannies, Daycare, Child Care, Dog Sitters, Cat Sitters, Pet Care, Housekeepers, Gardeners, Tutors, Special Needs Care, Senior Care |
| WEBSITE | https://www.care.com/en-ca/ |
| CONTACT DETAILS |
Care.com was founded in 2006 with the mission to provide the best family care for those who need it. They believe that a strong caregiving workforce can provide opportunities for people to grow due to free time and fewer expenses.
As one of the pioneers of online caregiver services, Care.com is known for its reliability, safety, and vast professional network. Not only do they provide services for families, but they offer corporate packages as well.
Care.com is essentially a solution for families to better take care of their needs when they simply don’t have the time to do so. Whether it’s hiring a full-time babysitter or somebody to care for your pets, they can find you a qualified professional to do the job.
Their online security checks consist of searching police records associated with a member’s identification or social security number via their AI-assisted online CareCheck. If you need more comprehensive screening, you’ll need to sign up for a paid membership and purchase individual stricter background checks to be performed.
We like their Care@Work service, which assists businesses by providing all-inclusive packages services to their employees who need babysitters or caregivers. This can help translate into less absenteeism among its workforce, thereby increasing productivity for the company.
Care.com makes it to our list because of this business-related service that most other agencies don’t provide. Not only does it help companies prosper, but it gives employees the opportunity to better balance their work and personal responsibilities.
Pros
- Wide network and range of services offered
- Provides corporate packages
- Can do overseas hires
Cons
- Need to purchase additional background checks
- Can only communicate with customer support through app
Customer Reviews
Care.com has been used by people from all over the world for their caregiver needs. Sarah, a client, left a testimonial on their website saying:
“I have already recommended Care.com to many people over the years. It is a good place for people to find and provide care services. I will continue to use Care.com.”
Jerilyn, another client, adds:
“We have always found good caregivers for our special needs child. Not an easy task”
4. Babysits
| SERVICES | Childcare Service, Babysitters |
| WEBSITE | https://www.babysits.ca/ |
| CONTACT DETAILS | Babysits |
Established in 2008 by Peter van Soldt, Babysits was founded on the premise of creating an online space for parents to look for trusted high-quality childcare.
With a team that strives to make babysitters accessible and affordable for parents, it has expanded its network to host almost three million members spanning across over 45 countries around the globe.
Babysits works by connecting babysitters who act as independent contractors to parents who need their services. Care providers who have exceptional ratings and maintain a great reputation on the site receive a special Supersitter status, thereby opening them up to more opportunities.
To ensure children are safe, Babysits requires government ID verification and confirmed references to qualm any concerns parents may have.
Unlike other websites, however, it’s the parent’s responsibility to first meet the prospective babysitter and to check the credentials on their own before hiring them.
Moreover, the government ID is only verified via third-party partner Stripe, and Babysits does not automatically perform background checks on their registered babysitters. However, maintaining communication via their app allows the security AI to detect any indications of fraud or suspicious activity.
Users who sign up for the free account can view the babysitter database, but you can only book a sitter if you sign up for the paid premium account which costs $19.99 a month. You will however receive receipts for each transaction you make and you can cancel your membership at any time.
Sitters need to take note that, unlike other platforms, Babysits will deduct 8% from payouts as a fee for use of the platform. They are free to set their own rates and families have the freedom to negotiate the final fees as well, though.
Pros
- “Supersitter” status for good reputation
- Worldwide network
- Can cancel membership at any time
Cons
- Parents are responsible for checking references
- Doesn’t perform automatic background checks
- Charges sitters for use of platform
Customer Reviews
Babysits has glowing reviews from both its sitters and parents who have used the service. Anna, a mother with a small infant to care for, appreciated the help she got from one of the sitters as she writes:
“Claudia has been so great so far! She has been working for us for a week and is so great with our 8 month old. She even got him down for a nap which nobody but me (mom) has been able to do yet! Very grateful to have found her here.”
Donna, a parent of twins, was ecstaic that her sitter was able to handle the two newborns at the same time. She shares her experience:
“Julie is THE BEST. Our twins love her to bits. She is so conscientious, loving, attentive. She teaches them things while making them laugh. And from a logistical point of view, she is always early and communicates quickly. I can’t say enough good things about Julie. I wholeheartedly endorse her to anyone looking for a wonderful babysitter.”
5. myBestHelper
| SERVICES | Babysitters, Nannies, Housekeepers, Senior Care, Attendants, Nurses, Mother’s Helpers, Housekeepers, Pet Sitters, Tutors |
| WEBSITE | https://www.mybesthelper.com/ |
| CONTACT DETAILS | Email: [email protected] |
myBestHelper is a platform that connects families with child, home, and elder care services throughout Canada. It was created based on the founders’ difficulty finding quality care services.
Striving to be an affordable platform, myBestHelper works on a subscription basis for care providers and families alike. If you would like to try out the service first, you can use the free version that allows you to post jobs and search for care providers.
However, that’s all you can do with the free plan – if you want to test out the paid features for one month, it’s rather expensive at $59.90. This is to entice you to sign up for the 1-year subscription at only $14 a month, which gives you unlimited access and bookings.
What you get with the paid membership is the ability to view full profiles and directly message care providers on the platform. You’ll also have the advantage of customer service support should you need it and it also comes with several perks and discounts.
On the babysitter profiles, you’ll find helpful information on their qualifications, previous experience, availability, and specific skills. Whether it’s indicating what age of kids they have the most experience with to CPR certifications, you’ll find pretty much all the info you need.
Moreover, with myBestHelper, families determine their own fees, instead of helpers listing their independent rates. This is unlike other sites where providers have the freedom to dictate their own prices based on their qualifications.
Aside from doing a government ID check myBestHelper will also perform social media checks and provide these for you to view. Each provider is hand-picked and screened by staff but you’re more than welcome to double-check potential sitter’s documentation and certifications.
Pros
- Offers three different membership plans
- Offers wide range of “helpers” in various sectors
- Can post jobs in free membership plan
Cons
- Sitters can’t determine their own hourly rates
- Expensive one month membership
- Need membership to apply for jobs
Customer Reviews
Warren S., a father of three boys, is thankful to myBestHelper for helping find babysitters for his children. He writes:
“I have used your service for about a year and have found two great babysitters that my children love.”
Cherry G., on the other hand is a care provider and gives praise for the quality of jobs she finds. She shares:
“I have been to several websites about finding care giving jobs. So far, I give my absolute thumbs up at My best helper. Thank you!”
FAQs about the Best Babysitter Services in Edmonton
And that’s the end of our article on the best babysitter services in Edmonton. We hope you were able to find what you need from this list!
If you have any suggestions or recommendations of other childcare services we should check out, please send us a message.
Now that you’ve got your babysitter sorted out, you’re probably planning on a night out with your significant other. We’ve got a list of the best date ideas in Edmonton that you probably want to check out.
