This is a great question and was the foundation of building our platform – we know we needed to make it easy for Mamas to use, without compromising ANY of the safety of our children. I am a Mama of 3, so safety is KEY. So, to do this, we brought a Dr. of Psychology (PsyD, M.Ed, MPH) and a Special Education Teacher (M.Ed) in-house to build screening and scenario-based questions, that will provide information regarding their eligibility and past experience / qualifications.

So to start, small set of proprietary screening questions, then a personal interview (in person or in a virtual meeting where we can see them face to face) by US (not outsourced) + a second set of more in depth scenario based questioning. If they pass both of those, then we do a rigorous background check (including criminal and sex offender registry screening). Bottom line, if we would not bring them into our own home, then they will not have access to the platform.

We also run and pay for the checks ourselves, partnering with Check-R. We run all clearances, including background checks, child abuse and sex offender checks down to the county level (as detailed as possible).

Geolocating babysitters ensures their arrival to a job site by leveraging GPS technology to track their real-time location. By using the FAST app, parents can monitor the babysitter’s progress en route to their home, receiving alerts or notifications when they are nearby or have arrived. This system enhances accountability and reliability, reducing the risk of tardiness or no-shows. Additionally, geolocation provides peace of mind to parents, knowing that their children will be attended to as scheduled by the babysitter.

Babysitters are paid through Stripe, a secure online payment processing platform that facilitates transactions between parents and caregivers. Parents can easily set up payments through their Stripe account, linking it to their preferred payment method such as credit cards or bank accounts. Once the babysitting service is completed, parents can initiate payments directly through the platform, specifying the amount and any additional details. Stripe ensures the security of transactions and provides both parties with confirmation receipts. This streamlined payment process offers convenience and peace of mind for both parents and babysitters, enabling seamless financial transactions for childcare services.

Parents cannot choose their babysitter since the algorithm automatically chooses sitters based on proximity to location.  We fully vet and screen all caregivers, ensuring a seamless and trustworthy experience. This eliminates the need for parents to manually select a babysitter, as they can trust that any assigned caregiver has undergone thorough background checks and meets the necessary qualifications, providing peace of mind and convenience for parents.

At this time FAST only facilitates finding vetted sitters ASAP for parents/guardians.
Anything extra would be between the guardian and the sitter (tutoring/housekeeping/driving/meal prep/etc)

We get it stuff happens. Since jobs are sent out ASAP and sitters are expected to start towards the location or, for scheduled, jobs sitters have them in their calendar – babysitters are allowed to cancel three times per calendar year. At FAST we emphasize the reliability and consistency of our sitters commitments.

This policy ensures that babysitters prioritize their scheduled responsibilities and encourages accountability in their availability for childcare services.

Babysitters have two options. They can toggle their profile to “Go Active” and accept jobs as they are received or they can schedule jobs through the app by accessing their profile and indicating their availability. The app provides a calendar or scheduling tool where babysitters can input their preferred working hours, indicating when they are available to accept jobs throughout the week. When parents request a babysitter, the app matches them with available caregivers based on their schedule and preferences, streamlining the process of scheduling on-demand childcare services.

Safety measures for babysitters are implemented through ID verification (Plaid) and profile management on the platform. Parents/Guardians undergo ID verification to ensure their identity, adding an extra layer of security for our sitters. These measures prioritize safety and trust within the community of babysitters and families using the platform. Parents have to take a “live” picture of their license – which Plaid uses to cross verify their information.

Inside the app we have safety prompts that are sent to the sitters when they arrive at the location.
Also inside the app we keep an “Emergency 911” button quickly available

As a babysitter, you get paid through Stripe, our secure online payment processing system. Once you’ve completed a babysitting job, the payment process is straightforward.

Here’s how it works:

Booking Confirmation: When a parent books you for a babysitting job through our platform, the payment details are securely processed through Stripe.

Service Completion: After you’ve finished the babysitting session, the parent confirms the completion of the service on the platform.

Payment Initiation: Once the service is confirmed, the payment is initiated automatically through Stripe. You don’t have to worry about invoicing or collecting payments directly from the parent.

Payment Receipt: Once the payment is processed, you’ll receive a notification confirming the payment. The funds are then transferred to your linked bank account or debit card.

Payment Processing: Stripe handles the payment processing securely, ensuring that both you and the parent can trust the transaction.

Payment Timeline: The timing of when you receive the payment may depend on your bank’s processing times, but typically, payments are deposited into your account within a few business days.

Overall, using Stripe for payment processing ensures a seamless and secure payment experience for both you and the parents, allowing you to focus on providing excellent childcare services without worrying about payment logistics.

Nope!
We’re all about convenience. There are no fees, no minimums, nothing.

You can set your schedule or go “active” when you’re willing to work. The only thing we ask is that – when you do accept a job – you fulfill your commitment.

Sitters must be, at least, 18 years old.