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Consistent Care
WHAT IS IT?
ATL SITTER's unique & innovative Consistent Care process allows members and sitters to be matched in a convenient, efficient, and effective timeline.
This scheduling method solves the problem for families who need consistency, outside of a fulltime care provider, and allows families to request ALL of their child care needs for the upcoming 6-8 week timeline.
Schedules can include recurring weekly dates, along with random dates scattered in, to accommodate any family's unique schedule.
(Example: Mondays and Wednesdays from 9am to 1pm, or Tuesdays and Thurdays from 8am to 5 pm)
This method aligns perfectly with our student-sitters who are working with a constantly changing university schedule.
Once the schedule is inputted onto our platform, our management team works alongside our providers to match you with the least number of providers available, to cover all of your dates.
This is our most popular scheduling feature, allowing parents to have control over the specific parameters of their match!
What our platform looks like:
Important Notes Regarding Consistent Care Requests -
Upon review of each Consistent Care request, our team will notify members who submit requests that are not likely to be filled, based on current sitter availability + waitlist capacity.
While all ATL Sitter fees are normally non-refundable, members will receive a refund for their $30 Logistics fee, in these circumstances. Members may then choose to utillize our Casual Care scheduling feature, or secure alternate arrangements.
Please note, since the majority of our sitters are college students, ATL Sitter does not offer full time, Consistent Care outside of the summer semester. We are happy to help with your part-time needs.
We are always happy to work to find a match for any requested needs, but like to be transparent regarding our scope of services!
Families who include details about their expectations, and provide a sample schedule of appointments, are often matched much more quickly!
Be sure to specifics (ex: daily routine, driving needs, etc.) along with any preferences you may have (ex: sitters with special needs experience, vaccination status, etc.), when completing your Consistent Care request.
What you can expect with our process:
1
Register
Login to your member account to submit a Consistent Care request. Each request requires a $30 Logistics Fee, at the time of submission.
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All requests require a start date of 2+ weeks advance notice (from the date of registration) and a duration of 6, 7, or 8 weeks. The ATL Sitter office works on requests in the order in which they are received; and will provide a Care Proposal as soon as a match has been secured.
2
Schedule
The appointments do not have to be weekly or consistent, but typically the more consistent the schedule is, the more consistent coverage we can provide.
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You will enter all the dates & times you are looking for coverage during your request; and you will also have the ability to add any additional details on each day.
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3
Submit
Once submitted, our team will review your request, and determine if we will be a good fit for your family's needs.
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If approved, we will move your request into the Matching & Assigning phase. Now is when sitters will be able to see your full request, ask questions, and sign up! The ATL Sitter Team always recommends submitting Consistent Care requests well in advance, to allow for a smooth matching process.
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4
Proposal
Once your Care Proposal has been sent, it will be viewable in your online account. The proposal will include a full breakdown of the appointments we are able to cover (with the least # of sitters), your potential sitter(s) profile, and options on how to proceed.
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All Consistent Care requests also include the option to schedule a complimentary Meet & Greet video call, prior to confirming or declining care, to ensure all is a good fit!
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5
Payment
Once you have reviewed your Care Proposal, and would like to move forward, your Scheduling Fee payment will be due.
As with any ATL Sitter requests, a $10 Scheduling Fee is charged, per appointment. We will not charge for any sit that coverage was not attained, and only for those a sitter is guaranteed. This payment is due before the first day of care. Payment is due immediately upon proposal acceptance.
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6
Repeat.
Now that your request is approved, payment is complete, and sitter(s) confirmed - you are all set!
Members + Providers should see the appointments listed in their accounts.
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You can now anticipate our team reaching out at a midway point to check in, and ask if you would like to extend/resubmit your request for another 6, 7, or 8 weeks. Your provider(s) will then have the option to continue on with you, and/or your request is re-posted to our team.
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Q: Can I choose a sitter for my appointment?A: Yes, our members have the flexibility to select a sitter for a specific appointment. When clicking "Book an Appointment," choose "Casual Care," and specify the date and time you need coverage, a list of available sitters will be presented. You'll be able to view the name, picture, and profile of each available sitter, allowing you to choose someone who aligns well with your family's needs. It's important to note that while you may have a preferred sitter, their availability to confirm isn't guaranteed. In such cases, our team will promptly match you with the next available and suitable sitter!
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Q: What happens if my first-choice sitter declines my request in casual care?A: In the event your preferred sitter is unavailable, our team of dedicated Moms will promptly secure an alternative sitter for you. You'll receive an email confirmation as soon as the replacement sitter is confirmed, and you can view their profile directly from your member account. Please note that sitters have the option to decline appointments they may not feel suited for. We know it's frustrating, but please don't take it personally!
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Q: Can I text or call my sitter prior to the appointment?A: While we appreciate the importance of communication, our sitters adhere to communication boundaries outlined in our LEGAL AGREEMENTS! They cannot manage extensive communication with multiple families due to the nature of their responsibilities. However, we are Mom's, and we understand that there are specific situations requiring your sitter's attention prior to arrival. Here's what you can do: If you have information pertinent to the ARRIVAL, you can conveniently share it directly from the Member dashboard. To do this, locate the appointment details, and select "CHANGE DETAILS." Use the text box to relay the new details. This information will be sent directly to the confirmed sitter. For more intricate details, you can contact your sitter directly. The sitter's phone number becomes visible in your member account ONE HOUR before the confirmed start time. This provides an appropriate window to TEXT your sitter or request a call upon arrival. Important Note: Per our Terms and Conditions, communication between Members & Providers outside of a scheduled sit is strictly prohibited. This policy respects each user's privacy & time.
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Q: How long will it take to receive a confirmation for my request?A: We ask our Sitters to respond to each appointment request by 10pm on the day it's received. We make exceptions for appointments scheduled at the last minute, or appointments scheduled for two plus weeks in advance. In the event you don't receive a response, our team is alerted, and works diligently behind the scenes on your request. While we can't guarantee a specific timeline, rest assured our team always operates with a sense of urgency. Once your request is submitted, no further action is required, unless a team member reaches out to you directly.
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Q: What is the timeline for my confirmation after I have submitted a request when there were no providers available?A: If sitters are not listed as available when scheduling your requested time, it is likely that we are currently sold out. You may then complete scheduling + payment without selecting a provider, our office will be alerted and assign a sitter as soon as they become available. If you would prefer to remove your request, you are able to cancel the appointment at any time, in your online account. If your timing is at all flexible or there is a portion of the request that is more crucial to be covered, please let us know and we can update the request accordingly. If our team is unable to secure coverage within 48 hours or less of the requested start time, you may choose to cancel the request, without penalty, and we will issue the scheduling fee as a credit to your account, to be towards future appointments. Our staff works to fill these requests in the order they are received, and will notify you as soon as there is an update.
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Q: Our family really enjoyed our previous sitter, but they are not showing up as available when I go to book online. Is there any way to see if they are available?A: Absolutely! Our sitters enjoy returning to families they know and will do their best to accommodate your requests, provided their schedules allow. If you don't see your preferred sitter's availability on the platform, you can bypass selecting a sitter altogether by choosing "Next." On the following page, you can enter the name(s) of your preferred sitter(s). Our team will then check with your requested sitter first before making a match. Please note: Our sitters have the flexibility to create their own schedules, so their availability may be limited unless they receive a specific request.
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Do you have sitters who can stay overnight?Yes, we do offer overnight services! These bookings typically require oversight from a manager, and the rates are structured differently to accommodate the extended hours. To arrange an overnight sitter, simply email us with your preferred schedule and any specific requirements, and we’ll handle the rest!
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Q: Can the sitter transport my children?A: ATL Sitters are happy to transport your children, wherever they need to go! All STLSITTER's have; clean driving records, and they drive their own insured vehicles. (#ATLSitterTip- Sitter's profiles also include the make of the vehicle and the number of car seats available!) Be sure to provide detailed instructions within your appointment notes, regarding any transportation needs, and car seat / booster seat installation. +Sitters are owed a Mileage Fee when transporting kiddos during the time of the sit, in their own vehicle. It is also recommended that providers drive their own vehicle, due to their Independent Contractor status.
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Q: Can I change the time of a confirmed appointment?A: YES! Time change requests can be submitted for confirmed appointments, via your member account. These requests go directly to your sitter, to either confirm or decline, based on their availability. If your sitter declines your time change request, the original appointment time & sitter will remain confirmed. If your sitter is not able to accommodate your request, and you would like us to work on securing another provider for the new times, please contact our office for alternative solutions. Additional scheduling fees may apply.
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Q: What happens if my child is sick?A: ATL Sitter cannot dispatch a sitter to a home if your child has been positively diagnosed with any of the following: Strep Pink eye Hand Foot and Mouth The Flu *Covid-19 If your child has any other conditions (ear infection, low-grade fever, virus, teething, etc.) your sitter can still arrive as scheduled- however, please provide advanced notice to our office, in case additional accommodations are needed. SITTER RATE FOR SICK CHILDREN: Sitters charge $25/hour for for sick children. Please Note: If you are required to cancel the appointment due to one of the illnesses listed above, normal cancellation rates apply.
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Q: What happens if my confirmed sitter has an unexpected conflict or emergency?A: We prioritize transparent communication with our sitters AND request that Sitters notify our platform managers, in the case of personal emergencies, before reaching out to you, the parent. Our team will then make every effort to assign a replacement sitter or communicate alternative options.
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Q: Can I hire an ATLSitter to clean my house, or do my laundry?A: Sitters are paid for childcare services only. Sitters are expected to clean up all childcare-related messes made during the appointment, but are not able to accommodate any additional cleaning, vacuuming, laundry etc.
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Q: Can I request a sitter who is vaccinated for COVID 19?A: Yes, we ask all members to list their vaccination preference in the house rules section of their member account. Status should convey, Vaccinated sitters ONLY or First available. Refunds cannot be issued.
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Q: Can I force my sitter to show proof of vaccination?A: To ensure the safety of our community, sitters on our platform who claim vaccination status must provide proof to us, and our team keeps this information on file. Similar to our policies on background checks, CPR certification, and driving records, we handle the verification process, so members do not need to request proof upon the sitter's arrival.
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Q: Do you provide nanny placements?A: No, we do not facilitate full-time nanny placements! Our sitters, primarily composed of undergrad and grad students, as well as young professionals, have busy schedules that may not accommodate full-time commitments. However, we provide an innovative alternative, that we call Consistent Care. This method allows members to request part-time, regular care, scheduled in advance, paying only for the specific days and times that are needed. This is a flexible solution that combines the benefits of both a nanny and a babysitter. Read more here! Consistent Care
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Q: What documents are required of your sitters?A: Each ATL Sitter completes a thorough process, starting with a face-to-face interview and the provision of personal references. Our team conducts background and driving record checks, and CPR certification. Once on-boarded, Sitters engage in continuous training and must maintain positive feedback from families to stay on our team.
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Q: Is there a Sitter-to-Kiddo ratio, for appointments with more than 1 child present?A: Yes! Congruent with State Guidelines, ATL Sitter recommends 1-Sitter for every 4-Children (1:4) present at an appointment. In addition to this, we encourage a maximum of 3-Children '2 Years Old or Younger', per Sitter. *Please note, if requesting group child care for the first time on our platform (i.e. care for 5 or more children and/or for an event / organization / etc.), please contact our office directly so we may ensure coverage is properly secured. This helps our sitters feel comfortable & confident when confirming your appointment! **Providers' hourly rate subject to increase for group care, based on the # of children present and/or expectations of the appointment. As requested, please contact our office for requests of this nature, and a manager will confirm the hourly rate that is owed.
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Q: What is included in Sitter training?A: We take training seriously. When we couldn’t find a program that met our standards, we created our own. Smart Sitter training covers everything a parent would want their sitter to know—from proper communication guidelines to infant care and everything in between. We update it annually to ensure it stays comprehensive. If there’s a topic you’d like us to include, feel free to reach out! Contact: Morgan@stlsitter.com
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Q: What certifications do ATL Sitters have?A: Each sitter goes through a custom on-boarding process to prepare them for providing in-home care: It starts with an application, and then includes Face to Face Interviews, Reference checks, Background and Driving Record Check, CPR certification, and Smart Sitter Training.
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Q: We are visiting from out of town and staying...(at a hotel, Airbnb or with friends and family)A: We would be happy to help you confirm a babysitter for your visit! Please reach out to our team, who will provide a special code to use at registration, along with instructions for scheduling!
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Q: Why do you require a membership?A: Our platform is managed 24/7 by real people. We handle the logistics for over 500+ sitters—so trust us, we have no choice! Additionally, requiring credit card authorizations helps us verify a member's identity. This provides an extra layer of security, to keep our sitters safe!
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Q: I'm taking maternity leave, and trying to piece together childcare, can you help?A: Absolutely! Our Consistent Care feature is designed for moms like you in mind. It allows you to pre-schedule and meet your sitter in advance, ensuring you feel comfortable and confident in your choice. This feature is a fantastic alternative to hiring a nanny and is our most popular scheduling option. It’s all about giving you peace of mind so you can focus on enjoying + managing your time.
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Q: What happens with the sitter feedback?A: Your feedback is important to us! When you share feedback about your sitter, it goes directly to our platform managers. They use this information to support our sitters and ensure professional performance. (Another perk of membership!) We love passing along positive feedback to celebrate the great work our sitters do! If there’s ever negative or constructive feedback, we address it directly with the sitter to help them improve and ensure you have the best possible experience. Your input helps us keep our standards high and our sitters at their best!
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Q: Is there a minimum age to request a babysitter?A: We do not have an age minimum, whenever you feel ready, we will provide an experienced sitter! *Each ATL Sitter completes the Smart Sitter infant care, and safety training module!
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Q: Is there a minimum requirement when scheduling?For Members scheduling in Casual Care, there is a three hour minimum requirement. Families do not have to keep their sitter for the entire three hours, but are required to pay them for the full three hours. Exceptions can made for families scheduling via Consistent Care, and for before and after school care arrangements. Talk to our team for specifics!