Questions, answered honestly

How does Busy Feet work?

We're a referral service, not a gig board. You enroll once, join a quarterly plan, and book from a small pool of local sitters we've personally interviewed. You request a time; the sitter confirms (and fast: same-day requests get a 30-minute answer window); you pay the sitter directly after the sit. We run the matching, the confirming, and the backup plan.

Are your sitters background checked?

Every sitter is interviewed by us, her references are actually called, and her ID and certifications are verified before her first booking. Her profile shows exactly what's been verified, and we never claim a check that hasn't been run. Formal background checks are added per sitter as the service grows; when a sitter's has run, her profile says so.

What does it cost?

A one-time enrollment of $85, then a quarterly plan: Silver $49/quarter + $10 per booking; Gold $99/quarter + $5 per booking; Platinum $189/quarter + $0 per booking. Sitters set their own hourly rates (floor $20/hr in St. Johns County, $18/hr in Palm Coast) and you pay the sitter directly. We never touch that money. And $1 of every booking goes to the Village Fund, which helps local families who need a hand afford care.

How do I pay my sitter?

Directly to her, whatever you two arrange: cash, Venmo, Zelle. Her exact amount is on your booking before you confirm, including any extra-child amount, so there are no surprises.

Can I cancel my membership?

Any time, right from your hub. Your plan stays active until the end of the quarter you've paid for, and you can keep booking until then. We don't refund the current quarter (the quarter is yours whether you use every sit or none), and nothing is charged after it ends.

What if I need to cancel or move a sit?

Cancel free any time 5+ hours before the sit. Inside 5 hours, half the sitter amount is owed to her. She's held that time for your family. Need to move instead? From your booking page you can propose a new time; if your sitter can't do it, your original booking stands.

What if we're home late?

Life happens. There's a 15-minute grace period; past that, the next full hour is billed at your sitter's rate. Her check-out in the app is what sets the final time, so it's fair on both sides.

How far ahead can I book? How last-minute?

Members can book right through the end of their current quarter from their hub. And last-minute is our specialty: if a sitter has marked herself open to it and her calendar covers your time, ask away; same-day requests get an answer within 30 minutes or we escalate to a backup.

What are the minimums?

Sits are 3 hours minimum, in whole hours. One sitter can care for up to 4 children, at most 3 of them under age 2, and we serve children from 6 weeks old.

Can a sitter watch a mildly sick child?

Often, yes. Disclose it up front when you book and your sitter decides knowing the details, at her normal rate (no sick premium: families who book ahead can't know a child will be ill, so charging extra never felt fair). But we never dispatch for strep, pink eye, hand-foot-and-mouth, flu, or Covid.

Where do you serve?

St. Johns County: Ponte Vedra, Nocatee, Julington Creek, SilverLeaf, World Golf Village, and St. Augustine. Plus Palm Coast, now open for booking too.

We're just visiting. Can we still book a sitter?

Yes! Guest Care is made for you: no membership, no enrollment, just a flat $25 guest booking fee, and the sitter comes to your hotel or rental. Planning a wedding, reunion, or event instead? See Group & Event Care.

Still curious?

Reach out to us. A person (usually Alex) replies, not a bot.