What is the best babysitting app in the UK?

For most UK parents, Bubble is the best babysitting app - combining the largest pool of vetted sitters, flexible on-demand booking, in-app payment, £1m insurance on every sit, and 9am-9pm customer support. It is available across the UK and free to join. Other options such as Sitters.co.uk, Babysits and Koru Kids suit different needs, depending on whether you want agency-style matching, a community directory, or ongoing nanny arrangements.

Are babysitting apps safe to use?

Safety varies significantly between apps. The most important factors to check are how thoroughly a platform vets its carers (ID checks, background checks, references), whether DBS certificates are displayed on profiles, whether bookings are insured, and what support is available if something goes wrong. Platforms like Bubble run a 16-point Trust and Safety system and only approve 1 in 4 carers who apply. Lighter-touch directory apps rely more on self-submitted profiles, which means parents need to do more of the verification themselves.

Do I need to find a babysitter with a DBS check?

A DBS check is one factor many parents consider, but it is not the only measure of a sitter's suitability. In-home babysitting in the UK is not regulated in the same way as registered childcare - babysitters do not legally need to be Ofsted-registered or hold a DBS. On Bubble, sitters can voluntarily upload a DBS certificate, and parents can filter by DBS status. Bubble also carries out ID checks, background checks, adverse media checks and reference verification on every sitter.

How much does a babysitter cost through an app in the UK?

Sitter rates are set by the individual carers themselves and vary based on experience, location, and time of day. On Bubble, the average hourly rate across the UK is approximately £15.31 as of 2026, plus platform fees on top. Rates in London and other major cities tend to be higher than the national average. Whatever you pay, sitters should always be paid at or above the National Living Wage.

Can I use a babysitting app for last-minute childcare?

Bubble is specifically designed for this. On average, eight sitters apply to every job posted, and care can be booked with less than 30 minutes' notice. The Instant Book feature lets parents confirm a sitter immediately for requests made at least 16 hours in advance. Other apps are less suited to short-notice bookings - Koru Kids, for example, is designed for regular ongoing arrangements rather than ad hoc sits.