Backup care sitters
Find backup childcare today
Short answer
Backup care is short-notice cover when your usual nanny is sick, daycare is closed or school is out. On Nanny, backup care adds a flat $15 urgency fee to the usual booking fee, and Nanny Plus members get priority.
- Typical rate
- Usual rate plus a $15 urgency fee on Nanny
- Typical 2026 range across US metros; big coastal cities run higher. Caregivers set their own rates on Nanny.
- Booking on Nanny
- Free to join. 6% booking fee (min $1.99), or 3% with Plus. Caregivers keep 100% plus tips.
A good fit for
- Nanny sick days and vacations
- Daycare closures and school holidays
- Work trips that come up fast
What to check
- Save two or three backup sitters before you need them
- Keep your kids' emergency cards and house notes up to date
- Some employers pay for backup care as a benefit, so ask HR
How it works on Nanny
Request backup care for today and Nanny shows sitters available now, ranked on fit. Your kids' details are already in the app, so a new sitter has what they need from the first minute.
Questions
Start with sitters you already know, then use an app that shows who is available now. On Nanny, backup care adds a flat $15 urgency fee and Nanny Plus members get priority.
Some do, as a benefit through a provider. Check with HR; it often covers a set number of days a year.