How do bookings work?

Booking Basics

All job notifications are sent to you via email, and occasionally, through text message.
As an independent contractor, you’re responsible to manage your own schedule so as not to double book yourself or forget about an upcoming job.
Jobs are first come first serve so the fastest way to learn about new opportunities is to set up push notifications for your incoming email.
You’ll receive an email to let you know when there’s a new job available. It will indicate whether you’ve worked for the family in the past or if the client is new to you. For bookings that are made by families you have sat for in the past, you will receive a one hour head start to accept the booking, before it is sent to all sitters to be able to accept.
The details necessary for you to determine whether you want to take the job will be included in this email: + location (neighborhood/zip code) and date/time + children’s ages + exceptionalities + pets in the home
If you want the job, you must hit “accept” within the email notification. Clicking accept is committing to a job so please be aware of this process.
If the job has already been taken, you will not be able to complete the action. If the job is assigned to you, you’ll receive an email confirmation with the rest of the job details, including parent contact information and the specific address.

Once you’re booked,

Please call the family within 24 hours of accepting their booking.

If the job starts less than 24 hours from the time you accepted, please reach out ASAP or at least prior to leaving for care with the family.
Your first contact with the family is an important part of providing an excellent care experience, especially when you haven’t worked with the family before.
So please always remember to get connected with the family to introduce yourself, confirm you will be providing care for them & discuss care details.
If you're not able to get a hold of them, please leave a voicemail and send a text message.
If you’re confirmed for a job, you are set to go regardless of direct contact from the parent.

Where can I find the family’s contact information?

This can be found in your booking confirmation email.
We recommend saving this after you accept a job until the job has been completed.

How should I reach out to a family?

Ideally, we’d like you to reach out by phone first, leave a voicemail if the family doesn’t pick up, and then send a text message with your available times to speak.
If you can’t call within 24 hours, start with a text message introducing yourself and share your availability to connect.
Remember, some communication is always better than no communication.

What should I say?

Here’s an example of what to say when you reach out:
- Hi (client name), my name is (your name) and I accepted your Helpr care job for (date of care). I’m looking forward to meeting you and your family! I would love to connect for a quick phone call to introduce myself and discuss care details. I’m available (example: in the evenings after 5pm Monday through Friday and all day Saturday and Sunday), please let me know when would work best for you. Thank you and I look forward to working with you!

When you arrive:

Sitters should be in the home, babysitting, at the designated start time. Please ensure you take into account parking, traffic, and other unforeseen circumstances.
If you are running late, please call the parent and let them know with enough time before the booking. Additionally, please follow up with an email( support@hellohelpr.com) or text (844-875-2955) to Helpr HQ.