Babysitter Jobs in Chicago
We take our screening process seriously. Our reputation relies on the caliber of our sitters, and we only work with the best. We are looking for candidates who are professional, mature, thorough, and experienced.
Knowledge of pillow forts and construction vehicles is a big plus.
How to Become a Super Sitter
We have been perfecting our intake process for over a decade. It’s long on purpose. We get to know you, you get to know us, we ask tough questions (you can too if you’ve got ’em), and we both decide if we’re a good fit for each other.
No surprises here: The sitter membership fee is less than one hour of work at $20/month. It’s meant to keep us hustling for you, keeps us all accountable, and doesn’t change no matter how many hours you work. Our current sitters will tell you: it’s worth it.
Sounds rad, right? So how do you join us?
Glad you asked.
1. Submit Your Application
We review it, and if we like what we see, we contact you directly for a Phone Interview. We are looking for attention to detail, professionalism, and a genuine interest in working with children.
- Super Tip: Don't phone this in! This is a first impression of you, and even Mary Poppins herself would be expected to include good details.
2. Phone Interview
You schedule a call with a member of our interview team. If we like what we hear, we keep you moving forward.
- Super Tip: There's a good chance your interviewer has not seen your application, so be ready with all of your impressive details. This is to remove bias and allows for a multi-faceted evaluation of each candidate.
3. Reference Check
We ask for at least three recent (non-family) childcare references and one professional reference. And we definitely check their validity. Do they all check out? You keep going.
- Super Tip: Start collecting your references right away (we’ll provide links), and ask for more than you need. Many applicants drop off at this stage because their references aren’t cooperative.
4. Face-to-Face Interview
We want to know who you are, as a childcare provider and a human. You will meet face-to-face (via Google Meet) with a sitter intake team member for a longer screening to help assess qualifications and professionalism. This is also another opportunity for you to ask questions about us!
- Super Tip: You'll meet different members of our intake team along the way, so be prepared for a second first impression and ready to answer some of the same questions again. This is done to remove bias and to allow for a multifaceted evaluation of each candidate.
5. Final Decision
We are very serious about who is selected to represent Super Sitters. The Super Sitters intake team meets to review their experience with each applicant to determine if a candidate will be invited to join the roster.
6. Background Check & CPR Validated
These are non-negotiable and must be completed before you start working. We pay for the background check; you pay for the CPR.
7. Onboarding & Paperwork
You’re in the home stretch. There are calendar and scheduling instructions, Sitter Policies and Expectations to agree to, and final details to review (by you, and by us).
- Super Tip: Don’t flake out during this part. These are important details that we must have, and it is still part of the screening and our search for professionalism. Remember, you’re not quite done yet.
8. Officially Become a Super Sitter
Once everything checks out and if, after the long intake process, we feel we are a good fit for each other, we invite you to join the Active Roster, and it’s time to get you working!
Let’s party!
What Happens Next?
Once you are an Active Super Sitter, you will be eligible to work with Super Families for both one-time placements (such as date nights) and part-time, recurring placements.
You share your availability on a private availability calendar, and we offer you gigs that match your skills, experience, availability, and other preferences.
Active Super Sitters may also be eligible for wedding and event placements!
More About Us
Get to know our team, how we got started, and more background on our values. We’re committed to diversity, inclusivity, and safety.
Sitter Policies and Procedures
Check out our Sitter Policies for information on accepting placements, types of placements, cancellations, payment details, calendars, and everything else you’ll need to know.
Family Policies
Interested in learning more about the Agency Policies regarding families? Read more about what is expected of families by reading the Family Policies.
Super Sitter FAQs
What’s the pay and how does it work?
You will be paid directly by your client’s family at the end of each placement. Your hourly rate will vary from family to family.
You can view the rates and compare. You and the family will know this rate before you accept a placement.
How much will I know about the job before I arrive?
When a family signs up with Super Sitters for the first time, they are asked to complete a family profile that includes how they will be expected to handle the children while in their care, as well as family hobbies, parenting style, and other relevant information.
We also talk to them, ask a bunch of questions, and vet them before their first placement. When you accept a placement, you will receive an email with the family details, contact info, and profile information.
What do I know about these families and kids before I go?
Every family is different, and we know how nerve-wracking that can be to a new sitter: what are you walking into?
When you are matched with a family, we will send you as much information as we can about them, including names, details, discipline style, bedtimes, the parents’ demeanor, and so on.
We help you enter the placement feeling confidently prepared and able to do your best work.
What will be expected of me when I get there?
First, wash your hands! This is important for setting a childcare-professional tone, and it shows good sense – please trust us on this.
Then, the hope is that the family is prepared to give you the kid/household details and the night routine. But some look to you as the expert and will wait for you to lead this conversation.
We expect you to use this time to ask questions, engage the children, and ensure the parent(s) feel ready to leave you in charge.
How does scheduling work?
You are in charge of managing your own availability calendar, and you are not required to work any minimum hours. We know you have a life outside of sitting and will need some weekends off, but sometimes you will want to work every night possible!
In a show? Friend in town? Mid-terms? Can’t work for a while? No problem, clear your calendar. Flat tires, lots of bills, in a ton of weddings, or want to work as much as possible? Fantastic! Make sure your availability is up to date.
We use Google Calendar, and you will be expected to do the same.
How often will I be placed?
Ideally, as often as you would like. Your schedule is up to you, and you’re in charge of maintaining your availability calendar.
Communication and professionalism with the agency staff are vital to your success on the roster: Stay dependable, reply to our messages promptly, and communicate clearly with our team.
Why don't I just give the family my number and let them contact me directly?
Our system is based on trust. We expect all sitter requests to go through Super Sitters’ booking system and ask our sitters to send the families to us if contacted directly.
If we find out that a sitter is booking Super Families without our knowledge, they will be removed from the active roster.
Will I know if there are cameras in homes?
With the new fancy technology in our world, nanny cams now come in all different forms. Security system cameras, baby monitors, programs on phones, and the good ‘ol hidden ‘teddy bear eye’ camera.
Cameras can be a great tool for parents to know what is going on at home when the kids are with a sitter, but they can also feel intrusive or violating to a caregiver if they don’t know they are being watched.
Super Sitters asks that families tell sitters if and when recording devices are in use though if you want to be 100% certain, best you ask them directly.
How does feedback work?
We live for feedback; it is what makes our matching process work!
Sitters and families (and their kiddos!) are asked to provide feedback to the agency after every new sitter/family match, or if it’s been a while since you last saw each other!
All feedback goes to the Super Sitter admin team, where it is reviewed internally. We track the top-pick matches for families and for sitters, as well as those that didn’t quite click. This feedback also helps keep the profiles up to date!
I don't have experience with babies. Can I still apply?
YES! Because our matching process is so specific, we can make sure you are only matched with families/kids whose ages align with your experience.