How Village Sitters works & terms of use

What we are

Village Sitters is an introduction service — a private, members-only board that connects Spring Arbor families with Spring Arbor University student babysitters. We are not a babysitting agency, an employer, or a staffing service. Sitters are independent; families choose, hire, supervise, and pay them directly.

What your membership covers

The annual family membership covers access to the network: posting sits, automatic notifications to approved sitters, the claim system, and the human moderation behind it. It does not include the cost of babysitting itself — you pay your sitter directly at the rate you offered.

Vetting — what we do and what you should still do

Every sitter registers with a verified @arbor.edu email address and is personally approved before seeing any sit. That is real, meaningful screening — and it is not a criminal background check or a guarantee. Meet your sitter, ask questions, and trust your instincts, exactly as you would with any childcare arrangement.

Sitter standards

Sitters must be 18 or older and current members of the Spring Arbor University community. Claim only sits you can genuinely cover. Plans change more than 24 hours out? Release the sit in the app. Inside 24 hours, call the family directly — no one gets left without coverage in this network.

The legal part

By using Village Sitters you agree that arrangements made through the board are strictly between the family and the sitter, and that Village Sitters and its operators are not responsible or liable for the conduct of either party or for anything arising from a sit. Accounts may be suspended or removed at any time to protect the community. Be good to each other — this only works because it is a village.

Questions about these terms? Contact us.