For sitters
A more considered way to work
tend supports sitters who want professional, predictable work without constant coordination.
You set your availability, your rates, and how far you travel. Families only see you when you are available for their time and location.
You are only booked for care you have already said yes to.
Apply to sit with tendMost sitters on tend charge between $20 and $30 per hour and keep 85% of every booking, with cancellation fees paid to you in full.
Who tend is for
Sitters who value structure, boundaries, and professionalism
tend is designed for caregivers who take the work seriously and want the work to take them seriously in return. There are no job posts to monitor, no booking requests to review, and no uncertainty about whether a booking will go ahead.
It may be a good fit if you:
- Have experience caring for children
- Communicate clearly and show up reliably
- Want predictable bookings without constant messaging
- Prefer clear rules around pay, cancellations, and expectations
- Are comfortable managing your work through a simple booking portal
Applications are reviewed carefully. Not all applicants are accepted.
What you’ll earn
Clear pay, handled simply
You set your own hourly rate on tend. Most sitters charge between $20 and $30 per hour.
From each completed booking, a 15% platform fee is deducted. This supports payment processing, identity verification, customer support, and the systems that keep bookings clear and reliable.
Cancellation fees are paid to you in full, and the majority of same-day care premiums go directly to you. There are no subscriptions, hidden charges, or additional deductions. What you see in your payout is exactly what you earn.
In practice
An evening sit, Saturday 6 to 10 pm
Paid automatically through the platform. No cash, no reminders, no awkward conversations at the end of a sit.
Getting started with tend
1
Apply
Complete a short application telling us about your experience caring for children.
2
Introduction
A conversation with our team, so we can learn about you.
3
Documents and References
Provide a valid Vulnerable Sector Police Check, current First Aid and CPR certification, and two childcare references.
4
Set up and start
Set your availability by date and time, your travel radius, your hourly rate, and your care preferences. When a family’s needs match what you have chosen, they can book you.
You are only booked for care you have already said yes to.
Working with tend
Availability you control
You set when you are available, how far you are willing to travel, and the types of care you are comfortable providing. Families only see you when you are available for their time and location.
No back and forth
There are no requests to review or messages to manage before a booking. When your availability matches a family’s needs, the booking is confirmed.
Protection when plans change
If a family cancels close to the start time, a cancellation fee applies, and it is paid to you in full. The policy is shown to families before booking and handled automatically. You never need to enforce it yourself.
Same-day care, always optional
Same-day bookings only happen on days you opt in. When you do, a same-day premium applies, and the majority of it is paid directly to you. If you do not opt in, you will not receive same-day bookings.
A reputation that builds
Reviews from real families and repeat bookings are visible on your profile. Over time, your track record speaks for itself.
Safety on both sides
Families book through secure payment processing with verified contact information on file. Every booking is connected to an identifiable account and fully traceable within tend. You are not navigating situations alone.
Sitter FAQs
Practical questions, answered plainly.
What do I need to apply?
To join tend, sitters must be over 18 and have relevant experience caring for children.
As part of the application process, we require a current Vulnerable Sector Police Check, valid CPR and First Aid certification, government-issued identification, and references who can speak to your childcare experience.
These steps help support trust and safety for everyone on the platform.
What happens after I apply?
Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis. If your experience and availability align with what families are looking for, we will reach out to schedule a brief interview.
As part of onboarding, we verify credentials and contact references before approving your profile.
Once approved, you can complete your profile, set your availability, and begin taking bookings for the times you choose.
How much can I expect to earn?
Earnings depend on your hourly rate, availability, location, and parent demand.
Most sitters on tend charge between $20 and $30 per hour. Sitters keep 85% of the booking, plus applicable cancellation fees in full and the majority of any same-day care premium.
As the platform grows, tend shares booking trends and search insights to help sitters understand when families are looking for care.
How and when do I get paid?
Payments are processed securely through the platform.
At the end of each booking, you enter the actual start and end times. This finalizes the booking and allows payment to be processed.
Once payment has been processed, your payout is transferred through Stripe to your connected bank account. Payouts typically arrive within 2 to 3 business days.
There is no invoicing or chasing payment from families.
Can I cancel a booking if something comes up?
We understand that unexpected situations can happen. If you need to cancel a booking, you should do so as early as possible through the platform and notify tend right away.
Families rely on confirmed bookings, especially for short-notice care, so cancellations should be rare and reserved for situations where you truly cannot complete the booking.
Repeated cancellations, especially with short notice, may affect your ability to continue accepting bookings through tend.
Am I an employee of tend?
No. tend is a platform that helps families connect with independent childcare providers.
Sitters set their own rates, choose their own availability, and decide when they want to offer care. Sitters are responsible for their own taxes and any personal reporting obligations related to income earned through the platform.
If you have questions about your own tax situation, we recommend speaking with a qualified tax professional.
When can I start taking bookings?
Bookings are live.
Once your application is approved, your documents are verified, and your profile and availability are set, families can book you for times you have chosen.
Apply to sit with tend
If this approach aligns with how you like to work, applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis.
Apply to sit with tendQuestions before applying? hello@tendcare.ca