Finding a favorite sitter you trust, who’s available when you need them along with being a great fit for your family, might take some time to find. At Sittercity, we streamline the process: Simply post a job, receive responses (many pop up within a few hours), review applications, chat with your favorites, schedule interviews, and make your final choice. Although plenty of families are able to find great sitters on super short notice, plan to give yourself a few weeks for popular dates so you don’t have to speed through your sitter-finding mission.
One key note: You might also want to ask, do I already have backup care through work? If yes, amazing (and be sure to see if your company has a Bright Horizons benefit!). If not, we’re here to help you quickly find reliable backup child care.
To help you make a plan, here’s a calendar of key dates for when you might need to line up care. Of course, this doesn’t cover every reason you could need a sitter or nanny, but it’s helpful as a starting point for the year at a glance.
January
Depending on where you live, you could have snow days and unexpected school closure as well as Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, which is a federal holiday. Looking ahead, Valentine’s Day is on the horizon, so if you’re planning to date night (or hoping your partner is!), book a sitter for February 14 as soon as you can. Popular dates can book up fast!
Also? It’s Flu Season in January. Although you can’t predict if or when you or your little ones get sick, it’s smart to suss out a few daytime sitters who might have last-minute availability.
February
School vacation and Spring Break are coming up and unless you’re planning a trip or a full week off from work, chances are, your kids will need something to do. Why not book a daytime sitter to keep them engaged and entertained?
And remember to register for Summer Camp. Sure, you’re living in your parka right now, but many local camps begin booking in February so be sure to act quickly if you want one of those coveted camp spots closeby.the chilly temperatures this month, summer camps are top of mind.
There’s also Presidents’ Day in February. If your kids have a long weekend, but you need to catch up on work, it’s smart to lock in a sitter to help.
March
Whether your kids have Spring Break this month or time off next month, having an extra set of hands is helpful. If you’re going away in the U.S., you can book a Sittercity sitter at your destination. If you’re staying home, be sure to book a caregiver who can pitch in during the day or night.
April, May and June
These spring months are packed with graduations, parties, and more, and many of these dates are written in ink on the calendar months in advance. So don’t wait until the last minute to line up a sitter for coverage!
Now’s also the time to set up a nanny share with another family for the summer, whether or not your kids are doing the camp thing. You’ll get the coverage you need and your kids get a fun summer with other kids, too. Win-win!
You may also have an awkward gap of time between the last day of school and the first day of camp. Be sure the kids are doing something fun with a summer sitter — book one on Sittercity to ensure a smooth school-to-summer transition.
It’s also Summer Wedding Season. No doubt you’ve received some save-the-dates or actual invites to a slew of weddings. If your kids aren’t on the invite, be sure to find a sitter now, particularly if it’s out of town.
July
Believe it or not, Back-to-School isn’t too far off. With the first day of school approaching, you’re bound to run into plenty of scheduling logistics between sports, extracurriculars, and that gap between the school bell and the end of your work day. Start looking now: Many parents start their search just after July 4th.
August
Back-To-School Season… again. If you didn’t start looking for a sitter in July, begin in August. Whether you need after-school help or a tutor for school work, lining up support can ensure your kids have a successful school year.
September
Among the busiest months of the year, September is filled with parent-teacher conferences, Back-to-School Nights, social gatherings, games, etc. Having a sitter to support you during short windows is a super-smart idea.
October
The last day of the month is the one all the kiddos wait for: Halloween! And while it’s all about costumes, candy, and fun, sometimes you need an extra set of hands to keep up. Whether you’re heading to a party, working late, or need help wrangling your trick-or-treaters, finding a trusted sitter means you can enjoy all the events stress-free. Sitters get booked fast this time of year, so be sure to line up one as soon as you can.
November
November means Holiday Parties and Planning. Be sure you’ve got a few babysitters on call for when those adult-only holiday gatherings come at the last minute (as they usually do) or to allow you to shop without any littles in tow.
And… Winter Break is coming up!
If the days off of school don’t line up with your days off of work, don’t stress. Use Sittercity to find the support you need to fill in the gaps.
December
Many families encounter changes to their after-school logistics this time of year. Whether activities end or begin or your work schedule changes, you might need to consider lining up some back-up options for child care to start the New Year strong. (Oh, speaking of New Year’s, if you’re planning to celebrate New Year’s Eve out at a party or away, you might want to post a job for an overnight nanny or sitter who can stay with your little ones.)
Care Calendar FAQs
What is backup child care?
Excellent question! Backup care refers to the help you might need for unexpected scenarios — sick days, random school closures (professional development or school in-service days), last-minute meetings. Sittercity is a great resource to help you book a sitter whenever you are short on time.
When might I need last-minute childcare?
Oh, let us count the ways. As everything with parenting, expect the unexpected. You might need last-minute child care when a regular sitter calls in sick or has a personal day, or when school is closed for holidays or conferences. Or when something comes up for you, either personal or work-related. And while you can’t always plan for those surprise situations, you can tap into a consistent solution: Sittercity! Post a job and you’ll typically receive responses from local, high-quality sitters within two hours.
How can I find a sitter when school closes?
Sittercity is here to help! Post a job, share exactly what you need, then watch excellent, local applicants roll in.
What should I include in a monthly child-care plan?
Depending on your schedule, you might want to carve out time for some afternoons or date nights as well as any planned events.
