Caregiver FAQs
How much am I paid per hour?
Babysitting: $23/hour for 1-2 children and $28/hour for 3-4 children
Petsitting: $23/hour
Events/Group Care: $23/hour
You will be paid a guaranteed minimum of 4 hours even if you work less.
When will I be paid?
Jobs that are paid through the app (Stripe) will be deposited into your bank account 3-5 days after you check out. Payroll jobs (OnPay) are deposited into your bank account every Friday for the previous Monday-Sunday.
Are taxes taken out of my pay? Will I be issued a W2 or 1099?
This depends on the job. All private family jobs that say “babysitting” or “petsitting” are paid to you through the app (via Stripe) and taxes are not taken out. You are considered an independent contractor for these jobs and are responsible for keeping track of your earnings and reporting your wages when you file your taxes. All corporate jobs that say “Corporate (Invoiced)” or “Group Childcare (Invoiced)” are paid through payroll (OnPay) and taxes are taken out. For these jobs, you are considered an employee of Sitterwise. We issue W2s for all earnings paid through payroll (OnPay). We do not issue 1099s.
Will I be paid overtime?
Overtime is only paid on jobs that are paid through payroll (OnPay). California labor laws only apply to these jobs because you are paid as an employee of Sitterwise. When you are working for a private family (paid through Stripe) you are earning wages as an independent contractor and labor laws do not apply. The overtime rate is time and a half for any hours worked over 8 hours in one day or 40 hours in one week.
Am I compensated for mileage?
Typically, the only jobs we pay mileage on are Care.com jobs. In the app, these will show as “Corporate (Invoiced)” and the job description will clearly say mileage is offered.
Mileage rate: We pay the standard IRS mileage rate (2026: $0.725/mile).
When it applies: Mileage is paid when your round-trip drive is more than 40 miles.
How it’s calculated: We pay only the miles over 40.
Example: 60 miles round trip = 20 reimbursable miles (20 × $0.725 = $14.50).
Over 50 miles: If you expect your round-trip drive will be over 50 miles, you must submit the Mileage Approval Form before the job.
If a family asks you to drive children to activities during a job, track those miles and add them as a reimbursement at checkout. Those miles are reimbursed at the same IRS rate ($0.725/mile in 2026).
What do I do if the family changes the start time of my job, but I’m already on my way?
If a family changes the start time less than 1 hour before your job is supposed to start, you will check out using the original time. For example, if your job starts at 5pm and the family texts you at 4:15pm and tells you they don’t need your help until 6pm, you will still check out using the original 5pm start time.
Will I still be paid if my job gets cancelled?
You will only be paid for a cancellation if the job is cancelled less than 1 hour from the start time and we don’t have another job to offer you. If you are paid for a cancellation, you will be paid the 4-hour minimum. Although our website indicates a 24-hour cancellation policy for clients, we charge cancellation fees on a case-by-case basis. We understand life happens (kids get sick, flights get cancelled, family emergencies happen, etc.) and we rarely charge a client a cancellation fee. If a caregiver is cancelled on, we do our best to book her on another job and she receives priority when new jobs come in.
Is a client allowed to give me a tip?
Yes! A client can tip you directly via cash, Venmo, etc. They also have the ability to tip you through the app. Tips received through the app are paid via Stripe and will be sent as a separate payment.
If they ask you about tipping after the job, say, “Look for an email from Sitterwise tomorrow. It will have links for reviews and tips. I really appreciate you taking a moment to let my agency know how I did.”
Where can I find information about my payments? What’s the difference between OnPay and Stripe?
OnPay – https://app.onpay.com/app/login
Stripe – https://stripe.com/
OnPay is for all payroll jobs (churches, care.com, YMCA, Playtime Pros, group events). When you log into your OnPay account you will have access to all of your pay stubs and tax documents. This is also where you will log in if you need to make any changes to your tax withholdings.
Stripe is for all payments through the app from private families. When you log into your Stripe account, you can see all payments that have been made and the date you can expect your funds to be deposited.
Do I pay for my own parking?
No. The client covers all parking charges. Try to be as frugal as possible (look for free street parking, use hotel self-parking instead of valet, etc). When you check out, add the parking fee in the reimbursement section (unless the hotel bills it directly to the client’s room) and that amount will be added to your pay.
Where can I find hotel parking information?
We keep a living document with hotel parking information here. If you notice an update that needs to be made, be sure to let us know by texting 619-663-4379.
Can a family request me directly?
Yes! While your Sitterwise contract prohibits you from accepting jobs without going through our agency, a family can always request a specific caregiver when they submit a booking. The family can either include a note on the booking form asking for you specifically or, if they reached out to you directly and you told them you’re available, you can let the Sitterwise office know so we can add the job in the app and assign you to it.
What do I do if I show up to a job and there are more kids than expected?
Please let the Sitterwise office know so we can adjust the hourly rate if needed. If the number of children exceeds 4 we may need to send an additional caregiver.
What do I do if I show up to a job and the kids are sick?
While this doesn’t happen very often, sometimes a family will not tell us in advance that their child is sick. We try to be as transparent as possible with our caregivers so they know ahead of time what to expect. If you have a compromised immune system, you might want to consider throwing a mask and hand sanitizer in your bag just in case. You should also let the Sitterwise office know in case the family has multiple reservations so we can give the other caregivers a heads up.
I texted the family 24 hours in advance to introduce myself, but they haven’t responded. What should I do?
Oftentimes, families (especially moms) are very busy and life sometimes gets hectic. If a family doesn’t respond to your text message, send a follow up message when you’re on your way to the job. There’s no need to worry if a family doesn’t respond back. You should still go to the location as planned.
What do I do if I show up to a job and the family isn’t there?
Sometimes families run a little behind, especially if they’re on vacation. The first thing you should do is reach out to the family. Call and/or text them and let them know you have arrived. If you haven’t heard from the family within 15 minutes, text the Sitterwise office and let us know. If you’re at a hotel, you can go to the front desk or the concierge and see if they can help you locate the family. A caregiver should not leave the location until we have told you it’s ok to go. If a family is a no-show, you will be compensated the 4-hour minimum. If a family is running late, you will be paid from the original start time. Ex: The start time was 5pm and the family arrived at 5:30pm. When you check out, you will leave the start time at 5pm.
Other than childcare, what other duties am I responsible for while on the job?
Childcare should always be your #1 priority. Ensuring the children are safe, well-cared for, and happy are what you have been hired for. However, caregivers should always leave play areas neat and tidy at the end of the day. Going the extra mile by washing bottles or dishes used by the children is also a nice touch (and often earns extra tips!). If a parent asks you to do additional household tasks (laundry, meal prep, walking the dog, cleaning, etc.), this will be up to your discretion. If you feel uncomfortable performing a task requested, and the task does not pertain to caring for the children, you absolutely have the right to politely say no.
What is the Sitterwise dress code?
Caregiver Dress Code
Professional appearance guidelines for hotel & resort assignments
What to Wear
Modest Necklines
Crew necks, collared shirts, and blouses that fully cover the chest and shoulders. No cleavage.
Full-Length Pants or Knee-Length+
Jeans (no rips), khakis, chinos, capris, or skirts and shorts that hit at or below the knee.
Knee-Length Dresses
Casual or professional dresses with modest necklines and coverage through the shoulders and midsection.
Activity-Ready Shoes
Clean sneakers, flats, or comfortable sandals that allow you to keep up with kids safely. Be ready to move!
Cardigans & Layers
A cardigan or light layer is great for indoor AC and adds a polished, put-together look.
Clean, Neat & Polished
Clothes should be wrinkle-free, stain-free, and in good condition. Think: "Would a teacher wear this?"
Not Permitted
No Low-Cut or Halter Tops
No cleavage, no halter tops, no spaghetti straps, and no crop tops. Midsections must be fully covered at all times.
No Short Shorts or Mini Skirts
Shorts and skirts must reach the knee or below. No daisy dukes, athletic shorts, or anything above mid-thigh.
No Ripped or Distressed Jeans
Even "fashionable" rips are not allowed. Jeans should be intact, clean, and in good repair.
No Leggings Without Coverage
Leggings are only acceptable if paired with a long top, tunic, or dress that fully covers the backside.
No Graphic Tees or Slogans
Avoid clothing with bold logos, political statements, or any messaging that could be off-putting to families.
No Swimwear as Outerwear
Even at beach or pool assignments, a coverup is required when not actively in the water with children.
Additional Policies
Tattoos Must Be Covered
All visible body tattoos should be covered with clothing or appropriate concealer while on assignment. Plan your outfit accordingly.
No Septum Piercings
Septum piercings must be removed or flipped up and hidden during all assignments. Standard ear piercings and small studs are fine.
Hotel-Ready at All Times
You may be walking through a hotel lobby or meeting a family for the first time. Your appearance is your first impression — make it count.
What should I bring with me for a babysitting job?
It’s a good idea to always have your toy bag packed and ready to go. Many caregivers keep their toy bag in their car in case a last-minute job comes in. Activity ideas include age-appropriate board games, puzzles, toys, books, crafts, etc. Other ideas include legos, playdough, bubbles, and outdoor games.
I’m going to be late to my job. What do I do?
Timeliness is one of our most important policies. Nothing is more stressful for the family (and for us) than for one of our caregivers to be late.
The best way to ensure timeliness is to arrive at the door at least five minutes early.
Allow yourself time to travel to the location, park, and get to your room (if the family is a guest at a hotel). On weekends and during rush hour, allow more time to account for longer commutes. In a rare circumstance in which you know you will be a few minutes late (due to emergencies), please call the family’s cell phone and explain the situation.
If our office receives a call from a family or concierge, wondering where you are (because you are late and you haven’t called ahead), you will be charged a $15.00 late fee per occurrence. Your contract with Sitterwise can be terminated if you are late to more than 3 job assignments.
What’s the best way to reach the Sitterwise office?
Texting is ALWAYS the quickest way to reach us! (619) 663-4379.