We Take "Super" Seriously

Seriously

You’ve heard of Super Sitters, now become one.

We are Chicago Super Sitters and our intake process makes sure of it! We look for candidates that are professional, mature, thorough, experienced, and that show a clear understanding of the importance of this work. 

Not sure about agency sitting? We understand. Click here to learn more about why working with us is easier, safer, and toooootally worth it. 

We’re currently looking for candidates with recurring or sporadic availability.

We welcome applications from experienced candidates of all backgrounds, races, and gender identities.

Want to become a Super Sitter?

GET STARTED!

We do things a bit differently around here.

We have been perfecting our intake process for over a decade. It’s long on purpose. We get to know you, you to get to know us, we ask tough questions (you can too if you’ve got ’em), and we both decide if we’re a good fit for each other.

Sounds rad, right? So how do you join us?
Glad you asked.

1. Submit your Application

We review it and if we like what we see, we contact you directly. We are looking for details, professionalism, and a genuine interest in working with children. Don’t phone this in.

2. Phone Interview

We schedule a call and if we like what we hear, we keep you moving forward. 

3. Reference Check

We ask for a minimum of three recent (non-family) childcare references and one professional reference. And we definitely check their validity. All check out? You keep going.

Super Tip: Start collecting your references right away (we’ll provide you a link) and ask for more than you need. Many applicants drop off at this stage because their references aren’t being cooperative.

4. In-person Interview *this is currently being done by video

We want as many perspectives as possible and really want to know who you are. You will meet in-person with a CSSitters staff member for a long screening to help assess qualifications and professionalism. If this goes well, we’ll keep things moving.

5. FINAL DECISION

Tori is very serious about who is selected to represent her company. Tori and the CSS team meet to review each applicant overall before they are invited to join the roster. 

6. on-boarding and paperwork

You’re in the home stretch.  There are calendar and scheduling instructions, Sitter Policies and Expectations to revise, and final details to review (by you, and by us).

Super Tip: Don’t flake out during this part. These are important details that we must have and it is still part of the screening and our search for professionalism. Remember, you’re not quite done yet.

7. Background Check & CPR Validated

These are non-negotiable and must be completed before you start working. We pay for the background check, you pay for the CPR. *CPR requirements are currently on hold due to CV19 as we require an in-person class certification.

8. Officially Become A chicago super sitter

Once everything checks out and if after the long intake process we feel we are a good fit for each other, we invite you to join the Active Roster and it’s time to get you working!

 

Please understand that although being a babysitter includes lots of giggling, blowing bubbles, and peek-a-boo, we take our screening process VERY seriously. As we have said, our reputation relies on our caliber of sitters, and we will only work with the best.

Do you have what it takes?

  • Do you have professional childcare experience?

  • Do you have exemplary childcare and professional references?

  • Do you work hard?

  • Are you fun?

  • Do you want to be part of an incredible Chicago family?

We'd love to meet you.

Apply here.

FAQs

What’s the pay and how does it work?

You will be paid directly from your client family at the end of each placement. Your hourly rate will vary from family to family. You can see the rates HERE. You and the family will know this rate before you accept a placement.

How much will I know about the job before I arrive?
When a family signs up with CSS for the first time, they are asked to complete a family profile with info about how you will be expected to handle the children while they are in your care, as well as family hobbies, parenting style, etc. We also talk to them, ask a bunch of questions, and vet them before their first placement. We will make sure you have all of the information you need to feel fully prepared.
Who are these families and what are the kids like?
We understand how nerve-wracking it can be to walk into a new home, be faced with new rules and expectations, and have no idea what they actually want from you. Never have that worry again! Before you are placed in a new home, we will send you as much information as we can about the family including discipline style, bedtimes, age-appropriate tantrums or freakouts occurring as of late, demeanor of the parents, and so on. We want you to go to the placement feeling confidently prepared and able to do your best job.
What will be expected of me when I get there?
First, you will wash your hands. Then, there is a suggested 15-minute minimum parent/sitter overlap so all questions can be answered and to ensure the kids feel as comfortable as possible. We expect you to use this time to ask questions of the parents, engage the children, and do your best to make sure the parent(s) are feeling ready to leave you in charge.
How does scheduling work?

You are not required to work a certain number of hours to stay on our active roster. We know you have a life outside of sitting and will need some weekends off, but sometimes you will want to work every night possible! In a show? Friend in town? Mid-terms? Can’t work for a while — no problem. Flat tires, lots of bills, in a ton of weddings, or want to work as much as possible? Fantastic! Simply make sure your scheduled availability is up to date. We operate with Google Calendar, and you will be expected to do so as well.

How often will I be placed?
Ideally, as often as you would like. Your schedule is up to you and you’re in charge of maintaining your availability calendar.
You will work your first placements with our long-time Super Families. We collect their feedback — parents AND kids, to be sure they too think you are a SuperSitter.
Why don't I just give the family my number and let them contact me directly?
Our system is based on trust. We expect all sitter requests to go through CSSitters’ booking system and ask our sitters to send the families to us if contacted directly.  If we find out that a sitter is booking CSSitters families without our knowledge they will be removed from the active roster.
Nanny Cams?
With the new fancy technology in our world, nanny cams now come in all different forms. Security system cameras, baby monitors, programs on phones, and the tried and true, hidden ‘teddy bear eye’ camera. These cameras can be a great tool for parents so that they can monitor what is going on with their kiddos when they aren’t home. Chicago Super Sitters asks that families tell sitters if and when recording devices are in use though if you want to be 100% certain, best you ask them directly.