Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of Terms

By creating a SitterMatch account and checking the Terms of Service checkbox at signup, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree, do not use SitterMatch. You must be at least 18 years old to use this service.

2. What SitterMatch Is

SitterMatch is a private coordination platform that helps adults within an existing social network find childcare among people they already know. SitterMatch is not a childcare agency, staffing service, or employment platform. We do not employ, screen, background-check, or endorse any user.

Any arrangement between a parent and a sitter — including compensation, duties, and safety — is entirely between those individuals. SitterMatch bears no responsibility for any outcome of a childcare arrangement made through the platform.

3. Eligibility

• You must be at least 18 years old.
• You must provide accurate information when creating your account.
• You may not create an account on behalf of another person without their explicit consent.
• You may not use SitterMatch if you have been previously banned from the service.

4. User Responsibilities

You agree that you will:

• Use SitterMatch only for its intended purpose of coordinating childcare.
• Take all reasonable steps to verify the identity and suitability of any sitter before engaging them, including meeting in person, checking references, and trusting your own judgment.
• Not use SitterMatch to harass, harm, defraud, or impersonate any person.
• Not post false, misleading, or fraudulent information.
• Report concerns about other users using the in-app report feature or by contacting us at safety@sittermatch.net.
• Keep your account credentials confidential.

5. Safety Disclaimer

SitterMatch does not perform background checks, reference checks, or identity verification on any user. The safety of your child is your responsibility. Before leaving your child with any person you met through SitterMatch, you should:

• Meet the sitter in person before the first sitting engagement.
• Check references independently.
• Share your plans with a trusted contact.
• Trust your instincts — if something feels wrong, it probably is.

In an emergency, call 911 immediately. For child welfare concerns, contact your local Child Protective Services.

6. Prohibited Conduct

You may not:

• Use the platform for any unlawful purpose.
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to any account or system.
• Scrape, copy, or redistribute content from SitterMatch.
• Use automated tools to access the service.
• Attempt to circumvent rate limits or security features.
• Engage in harassment, bullying, or threatening behavior toward other users.

7. Content

SitterMatch uses pre-set message options rather than free-text messaging to minimize abuse vectors. You retain ownership of any content you contribute. By using SitterMatch, you grant us a limited license to display your content to other users as part of operating the service.

8. Account Deletion

You may delete your account at any time from Profile → Delete Account. Deletion initiates a 14-day grace period during which you can reactivate by logging back in. After 14 days, your account and all associated data are permanently deleted. See our Privacy Policy for details on data retention.

9. Termination

We may suspend or terminate your account at any time for violation of these Terms or for conduct that we determine is harmful to other users or to SitterMatch. We will make reasonable efforts to notify you unless doing so would be harmful to another user's safety.

10. Disclaimers and Limitation of Liability

SITTERMATCH IS PROVIDED “AS IS” WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. WE DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, SITTERMATCH SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES ARISING FROM YOUR USE OF THE SERVICE OR FROM ANY CHILDCARE ARRANGEMENT FACILITATED THROUGH IT.

11. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. Material changes will be communicated by email and will require you to re-accept the updated Terms before continuing to use SitterMatch.

12. Contact

Questions about these Terms? Contact us at legal@sittermatch.net. Safety concerns: report in-app or email safety@sittermatch.net.