Top Category

Babysitters your family already knows.

Local high school and college students who live right in your neighborhood. Reliable, energetic, and way more affordable than an agency — typically $20–25/hour instead of $30+ from adult sitters.

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Student helping a family with their kids
Student sitting with a younger child

You already know the perfect sitter. She lives three doors down.

Agency sitters are expensive, strangers to your kids, and booked up weeks out. Finding a reliable neighborhood teen used to mean awkwardly asking around at drop-off.

StudentGigs turns your own block into a sitter network. See every high schooler in your neighborhood, read reviews from other parents who already booked them, and pick the one your kids will love.

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Two ways to book

Babysitting vs. Mother's Helper — what's right for you?

Both are student-powered. The difference is whether you need the student in charge, or a great extra set of hands.

Babysitting

You're out. They've got it.

Book a sitter for date nights, evenings out, or whenever you need the house run without you. The student is in charge — feeding, activities, bedtime, the whole thing.

  • Best for ages 8+ sitters with kids 2+
  • Evenings, weekends, full afternoons
  • Handles meals, bath, bedtime
  • Texts you updates if you want them
Typically $20–25/hour
Mother's Helper

You're home. They help.

Perfect when you have a newborn, are working from home, or just need another set of hands. The student keeps the older kids busy while you handle the baby, a call, or dinner.

  • Great starting point for younger sitters (13–14)
  • Afternoons after school, weekend mornings
  • Plays with kids, helps with snacks, tidies up
  • You're in the house the whole time
Typically starting from $20/hour
How it works for parents

Built for busy families, not background-check bureaucracy.

🏡

They're already local

Every sitter lives in your neighborhood or goes to your local high school. No long drives, no rideshare surcharge.

⭐

Real parent reviews

See ratings and notes from other families who already booked them. No anonymous agency profiles.

💬

You see every message

Parents approve every booking. All messages between sitter and student are visible. Nothing happens without you.

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Pay in-app after

No cash handoffs, no awkward Venmo requests. Tap pay when the sitter's done, card or digital wallet.

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Rebook your favorite

Found someone your kids love? Rebook them in one tap for a regular Friday night or every-other-Saturday slot.

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Backup sitter built in

Regular sitter sick? Browse the same list of neighborhood students and find a second favorite for the night.

Simple for everyone.

Parent browsing sitters on phone

For Parents

  1. Tell us your kids' ages and when you need help.
  2. Browse nearby student sitters, read reviews, compare rates.
  3. Book, message the sitter, pay when it's done.
Find a Sitter
Student sitter playing with kids

For Student Sitters

  1. Build a profile — age groups you're great with, experience, availability.
  2. Families nearby find and book you.
  3. Earn great money doing something you're already good at.
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100% free for students

Parent FAQs

What's the minimum age for sitters on StudentGigs?
All students are at least 13. For babysitting where the parent is out of the house, we recommend 15+. For Mother's Helper, where you're home, 13–14-year-olds are a great fit.
How do I know a sitter is reliable?
Every sitter has a profile with their age, experience, availability, and reviews from other local parents who've booked them. Start with a Mother's Helper gig to try someone out before a full night.
What's the difference between Babysitting and Mother's Helper?
Babysitting: you're out of the house and the student is in charge. Mother's Helper: you're home and the student is an extra set of hands (great for parents with a newborn, or working from home).
Do sitters handle bedtime?
Yes. Most babysitters are comfortable with the full routine: dinner, bath, books, bed. Tell the sitter in advance what your kids' bedtime looks like and any quirks.
What if I need a last-minute sitter?
Post the gig — students get notified instantly and can respond within minutes. For same-day bookings, the pool of available sitters is smaller but often enough.
How is payment handled?
Pay in-app after the sitter's done — card or digital wallet. No cash, no Venmo awkwardness, and a receipt for your records.
Can I book the same sitter every week?
Yes. Use the Rebook feature to schedule a regular slot with a favorite. Most families find one or two they love and rotate them all season.

Your next great sitter lives two blocks away.

Free for families to browse. Free forever for students.

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