We have always had fantastic experiences using nanny services when traveling. Unfortunately, this was not the case with Sitterwise. It's honestly still upsetting over a week later, so I felt the need to share. We were traveling to Carlsbad for a wedding, and I contacted Sitterwise 5 days before the event to request a sitter for our two boys, ages 3 and 1.5. I filled out our family profile, made the request, and was told I would be matched with a sitter within 24 hours. The next day, about 30 hours later, I hadn't heard back and my request was still showing as "pending." I reached out to them again and soon after was matched with a sitter. I was initially a bit concerned reading the sitter's profile, which only stated her experience as a high school teacher and mother to a grown son, with no reference to taking care of babies and toddlers. The morning of the wedding, I texted our sitter to give her the heads up that our littlest had picked up a cold (no fever, but a cough/runny nose). Later that day, our sitter arrived and we spent about an hour introducing her to our kids, and despite a clingy baby, all seemed great. I prepared a bunch of notes for her on bedtime routines, dinner, etc., and we left. At 6 pm, just as we sat down to dinner at the wedding, I received a text from the sitter saying she needed me to call her. When she answered the phone, she was clearly very distraught. She said our youngest was crying for me and she was having a hard time handling our 3-year-old, who was hitting his brother and laughing, and from what it sounded like, generally acting like a 3-year-old. She said she couldn't complete the job and needed us to come back... A few things that I remember vividly from that call: "I'm really sorry, I'm only used to high school-aged kids" "I think your son and I just don't get along" "I called my husband and he said, 'you're the adult'" "I know I can't hit/spank him but I'm not sure how to get him to behave" Our minds were blown. We of course left the wedding immediately and raced back to the hotel. When we got to the room, the sitter was upset, both of our boys were upset, and she was running around grabbing random items like the couch accent pillows that she had "put on timeout." Hot tip: the kid doesn't care if you put the couch pillow that he threw on timeout... The sitter was crying and I was completely taken aback and just trying to calm her down and get her out of there. She started to say something like "you don't have to pay me" to which I interrupted and said of course we will pay you. I later found out that she took this as me saying we would pay for the FULL night we originally requested that would have ended at 11 pm, and this is what I was charged for when I checked the receipt (Sitterwise did later refund the extra 4.5 hours I was charged). She left, we were unable to attend 90% of the wedding, and the cherry on top was when she accidentally texted me instead of her boss, explaining that she left because the little one was sick...Clearly not being honest about why she was leaving early. Ultimately, I blamed Sitterwise for the awful sitter matching, not the sitter. Our sitter was super sweet, but she was obviously correct when she said she was only used to high school-aged kids, and I should have gone with my gut when I saw that her profile had no mention of caring for young kids. That fact was clear when I heard her through our baby monitor talking to my 3-year-old like he was 15 - repeatedly asking him what was wrong with the baby and why wouldn't he take the bottle, and asking him to help her. Hearing him very clearly confused and not sure what to do was pretty rough on my mama heart. In the past, nannies have come with age-appropriate toys and activities, she came with nothing. In the past, nannies have known how to appropriately handle a toddler outburst, she made it seem like our child was the devil. The first thing our son said to us when we came back to the hotel room was "she doesn't like me." Those words from a tiny 3-year-old should tell you all you need to know. I spoke to Sitterwise a few days after our experience and explained all of this to Stacy. While I appreciate that she refunded the extra hours I was charged, there was really no attempt to make this right, beyond promising a better pairing next time I'm in San Diego. It would have gone a long way for them to admit the sitter matching clearly wasn't right, or maybe waive some or all of their fees. Instead, I was simply told that she was an experienced sitter, that they'd follow up on the issue, and that they were sorry. Toddlers can be real a-holes sometimes, and mine are no exception to this fact. But, they are also well-behaved kids who have NEVER had an issue like this with a caregiver. As someone who spent 15 years as a nanny myself, this was very clearly an issue of a sitter inexperienced with this age group, and a business unwilling to own their mistake. read more

You have no idea how much I love this awesome company. When I moved to San Diego a few years ago, I got panicked after realizing most of the dentists here are only open on weekdays. We just moved there and had ZERO friends and our family members live outside the state so basically we knew nobody who could take care of our baby son when I had to go to see the dentist on weekdays. Then I googled if there was any great nanny agency who could send a reliable one time babysitter to our home then found this company. At first, I was so scared of welcoming a total stranger to my home but the first babysitter was nothing but fantastic so I was able to go get a dental treatment I needed. Then i realized... "maybe I should use the company again when I need a date night with my husband" Since then we get babysitters from them all the time, like once a month. So far all the sitters we hired are great and pretty sure they hire only the good ones who passed the strict background check. They charge $30 per hour for 1 or 2 kids so some people might think it costs too much but in my opinion, it's totally worth it. read more

We have 3 little angels (20 months, 4 and 5) needless to say it is no small task watching them. Our original sitter ended up getting sick at the last minute and Sitterwise was able to get a replacement immediately. Bonnie was amazing! She was on time and prepared for battle with all sorts of great activities and games to play with the kids. We came home to a clean house, some sweet arts and crafts that the kids made, and we are stoked it went so smoothly! Highly recommendable service provider! Bonnie is amazing! read more

Sitterwise - Alligators - Child Care & Day Care Near Me

I would give Sitterwise 10 stars if I could! I contacted Sitterwise through their (really good) website a week before visiting SD, with a very specific babysitting ask. They confirmed a sitter quickly! But then it dawned on me that we had specific COVID safety requirements that I had forgotten to add to the form. Whoops... I emailed back and forth with Sarah at Sitterwise who was nothing but understanding and flexible throughout. She set us up with a great sitter who met all of our requirements, and we had a great night out. I so appreciated Sarah's understanding during this weird COVID time! read more

Been using their service on and off since 2020 none of the nannies were good, consistent or on time. Now sure how they have five stars on Yelp but never could trust their services so many nannies canceled last minute or were no shows. Very sketchy read more

Sarah was on time to our hotel downtown and took great care of our kids while we attended an event. It was our first time using a service and we aren't from San Diego. We didn't hear from her at all and could enjoy our event and our daughter told us she missed us but she had fun with Sarah. Sarah also took care of our four month old son. If we need a babysitter service in San Diego again, we would definitely ask Sitterwise! read more

We used this company due to yelp reviews and it being woman owned. We were sent a profile of our nanny. She was nice and arrived on time. Our baby got a fever and she took care of her no problem. Very caring person named Lady. I would definitely used this company again! read more

I live in San Diego and even though this company seems to be geared toward travelers, they were really helpful when my nanny called in sick last minute. I called at 830am and was able to get someone to cover my kids for 4 hours later that day. The sitter was professional and came with some toys and activities. Honestly, I just needed someone to keep my kids alive for 4 hours while I dealt with some clients and they did just that. Hopefully I don't have to use them too often, but it's nice to know that I have a backup plan if I can't find help and need to get to work. read more

We had an exceptional experience with Sitterwise. We had to plan a last minute trip to San Diego for a funeral, and due to Covid restrictions our young kids were not allowed to attend. We contacted Sitterwise and within 3 hours we had a confirmed sitter, Stephanie who was absolutely amazing!! Our boys had a blast with her while we attended the events surrounding the memorial and we felt super at ease knowing they were in safe hands. I highly recommend Sitterwise and will absolutely use them again next time we come out. Thank you Stephanie! read more

We been using this company for years and they have always been reliable and professional. I always receive my booking confirmation right away and get contacted by the sitter the morning of our booking to confirm our plans. I honestly have no complaints. We visit the San Diego area multiple times a year and are assured our child will be cared for in our hotel room. He actually is excited to stay in San Diego and have a sitter because he's had such a good experience every time. I highly recommend them for your babysitting needs. I'm so happy we found this service! read more

Stayed at the Hotel Del Coronado and booked a sitter named Molly so my husband and I could have an adult night out. She was punctual, friendly, and ready to keep the kids busy (Ours are 3 and 5) with a bag of games and toys she brought with. She texted me an update, which was nice to know the kids had just fallen asleep and all was well. I would definitely use this service again. I wish all upscale hotels could have something like this. read more

We used Marion's Childcare while on vacation in Coronado. We were set up with Rita in less than 24 hours and very happy with her. She brought games for them to play and also took him to the beach to build a sandcastle. Our son could not stop talking about how much fun he had with her that day. We are not ones to leave our child with someone we've never met but we read all the reviews about her before and Marion's and we're comfortable using their service. We would highly recommend and definitely use them again. Thank you Rita!. read more

Sitterwise is seriously the best. We moved to the area and do not have any family in town, so childcare can be a challenge (we have a toddler). We love love love Sitterwise and have had over 5 different sitters so far - each one has been exceptional! We cannot say enough great things and we are so thankful for this exceptional company and the wonderful sitters that they hire! Thank you!!! read more

Caprice was extremely warm and trustworthy and felt this way about her immediately. She was so great with our son, very attentive and gentle. Couldn't have had a better experience. Thank you! read more

Had such a great experience with this childcare service. Mackenize, our sitter, was beyond our expectations! She was punctual and we felt very comfortable with her right away! Our son did too! We got picture updates frequently (not once did I feel the urge I had to contact her to know what they were doing!), and I could tell they were having a good time. Could fully enjoy our event knowing he was in good hands! Will definitely be using this service (hopefully Mackenzie) next time we are in San Diego! read more

Thank God for Marion's Childcare! My 4 yr old and I traveled to San Diego so I could attend a conference. Her aunt was supposed to come too but the night before we left she had a family emergency that made it impossible for her to come with us. The conference was very important, expensive, etc. I researched bringing a nanny from home but plane tickets were outrageous. I was in a tough spot. I found Marion's Childcare online, read their entire website, every review and asked all my Southern California friends if they felt this would be a safe option for me (we live in a small town where we hire babysitters that we know personally). I was terrified to leave my daughter with a stranger but after reading up on the company and how they vet employees, I decided it would be ok. I made a reservation, received a confirmation soon after, then an email about our sitter with a link to her profile arrived. So far so good... When our sitter, Lauren, arrived, I was put at ease immediately. She was very sweet and my daughter loved her. I wish we had this service in New Mexico! They played games in the room, went swimming, ordered room service, etc. Very positive reports from my daughter! Thank you, thank you!!! read more

While traveling to San Diego from out town (but for an extended period) we needed a sitter a few times for our two girls, Sitterwise has provided outstanding service and caregivers! We strongly recommend the service. read more

Excellent service! I need a sitter at the last minute and decided to try sitterwise for the first time and I am very glad that I did! I will definitely be using their services again! They were prompt in their response prompt in their service and I got a reliable trustworthy sitter named Valerie! read more

We were desperate to find someone last minute to sit with our dog at the US Grant Hotel. The concierge gave us this company as a source and we were thrilled with how fast they were to put us in contact with Stacy Coulter. She was on time and very friendly, our dog took to her immediately. We found that we were going to be a little later getting back than planned, but she was accommodating and very understanding. We even got a few texts with pictures through the night to let us know how our Betty was doing. Highly recommend this company for sitting and also specifically Stacy Coulter. If they're this good with dogs, I can only imagine how happy children would be! read more

We were holidaying at Coronado and wanted to find a sitter to look after our 6 month old. The resort recommended sitterwise. Our babysitter Maya, was wonderful with our daughter. She gave her a bottle and played with her while keeping us at ease by letting us know via sms. She was very friendly and listened and complied with all our request. I highly recommend this service an Maya of you need to sitter. read more

We were visiting SanDiego for a conference and the friends who were going to help our kids get around the city had an emergency come up so we reached out to sitterwise and had a great experience. Our kids are 10,12, and 14. Our sitter Maria was awesome! She came on short notice, arrived with games, sat down to plan the days' activities with our kids, and sent photos of their adventures during the day. She communicated so well and kept in touch with us about transportation preferences and timing updates. We were thrilled our kids could get out and enjoy SanDiego and knowing they were having fun enabled us to better focus on our meetings. Our interactions with sitterwise were all very positive as well - we'd highly recommend them! I honestly can't imagine a better outcome, it was perfect for our needs. read more

Samantha J. Watched my 14 month old son yesterday morning and this morning. She was just perfect. He had gotten roseola (3 days high fever). I work from home, had a meeting I could not miss and no one to watch my son. Although he is not fond of strangers, she took care of him without a hitch. Amazingly, while she was there, I was able to work without interruption and knowing he was in good hands. This probably saved me my job. I am so thankful this service exists. I will definitely use it again. Thank you!!! read more

Wow! What a great service! This childcare service gets an A+++! I have used this service twice this week for on call childcare/babysitting service. The two babysitters that were sent to my home from Marion's were WONDERFUL! I used another service earlier in the week and Marion's has the best caregivers. I highly recommend them if you are in need of a babysitter or on-call nanny temp! read more

A great and convenient service! I've used Marion's Childcare dozens of times since my girls were babies. All of the sitter's I've used have been professional, loving, and trustworthy. I will continue to use them in the future and would definitely recommend them to anyone staying in San Diego on vacation, or someone who needs a nanny placement or occasional babysitting in their home. read more

I had an office party to go to and did not have a sitter. I'm sure many can relate. Just as I was going to cancel, the host said they had called Marion's Childcare. Ok, great, I thought. She's used them before, so we said 'ok'. The next day, our daughter would not stop talking about her. they played games, had fun, and watched movies. We have used them again and will HIGHLY recommend them. These ladies have a gift when it comes to children. The sitter even texts us updates on how she's doing. Highly recommended! read more

I work for a beautiful hotel in San Diego. We sometimes need childcare for anywhere from 2 to 30 or more children. This week it was 30. Marion's girls were absolutely amazing. The childcare providers were organized and energetic and aware The kids and parents were thrilled! Thank you Amy, for the fabulous service that you provide! read more

Over Thanksgiving our entire family stayed at La Berge in Del Mar. Our baby at the time was only 2 months old and the family had some fun night time things planned. Thanks to Marion's we had the chance to have a fun adult night out. I wanted someone who had experience with newborn babies. As you could imagine I was nervous leaving my little guy for the first time. They suggested Caprice to us and what a angel she was!! A true Mary Poppins :). Words can't describe how amazing she was with my baby and communicated thru the night with us. We live in Orange County so we will definitely feel confident using Marion's and especially Caprice again for fun weekends away!!! read more

Used these folks last night... Excellent service. Got them dialed in on short notice. If you need a sitter when in SD, you'll be very happy. read more

India watched our two dogs during our stay at the Hotel Del Coronado. She was punctual and professional and our dogs loved her. Thank you for providing your service so we could bring our pets with us and still have some time away to ourselves! read more

I can't say enough good things about the sitters and service from Marion's. This is the third year we've used them on vacation and couldn't be happier. read more

Outstanding staff and service. We loved our first sitter as she was friendly, my kids loved her, and I felt they were in good hands. We already have 3 more dates scheduled. read more

Had Maureen from Marion's child care.... My only complaint is she isn't in Vegas! next time I travel to San Diego, will definitely use this great company! read more

Love this service! We had an amazing babysitter for 4.5 month old and 4.5 year old on New Year's Eve. I have never left my kids with someone I do not know. Laura put me at ease by texting me updates and I love the professionalism this company has. They came highly recommended by the concierge at the Del and I was very happy with the quality of sitters. I will be back for a wedding in June and I will be requesting Laura and recommending your services to others attending the wedding with kids. You will not regret your decision to use this service! read more

Awesome !!! Wish I could give you 6 stars ! Attended a friends wedding in Coronado yesterday and wasn't sure about childcare and poof we got Marion's number . Lifesaver is the best word to describe them ! Called less than 24 hours before the event and we had 4 kids ( ages 10 thru 2.5) in our party . The sitter was very sweet .. Flexible . Fed all the kids, had a bag full of activities and she showed 20 min before her shift ! Thanks for your superb service ! She even made my 2.5 year old bottle and managed to calm her 'Separation anxiety ' nerves ! We came back to the room at 11pm and all the kids were asleep and things were smooth! Thank you !! read more

I was in San Diego from Hawaii the second week of April for work meetings. I decided to take my kids to extend my stay and make it a mini-vacation. I used Marion's Childcare to watch my kids at the hotel during my meetings. Jen came over and kept them busy, occupied, and happy for 9 hours! She was a saint and the kids loved her. The next day, Carly watched them for 5 hours. She kept them happy and occupied as well. It is no small feat to take care of kids in a small room. Jen and Carly brought age appropriate toys, games, coloring books, etc. They gave me peace of mind and made a stressful time very easy! I highly recommend Marion's! read more

We recently booked a sitter for one night while away on our vacation to San Diego. My family is NOT easy to sit for. I have 3 boys, one with mild special needs and 2 that are very rambunctious. It takes a real experienced sitter to manage my crew. I submitted all this info via the sitter request form online. Well, thank our lucky stars that Melinda showed up. She was prompt, pleasant, and had a professional appearance and calming demeanor. She handled my boys well, and they had nice things to say about her the next day. I returned to sleeping children and a clean room! Yay for Melinda and Marion's childcare! read more

We visited the San Diego area in March 2015 for Spring Break. My husband decided to play golf one morning and I wanted to take the bigger kids to the beach. I searched the evening before for a sitter service to watch our 1 year old at our hotel room. Marion's reviews, Facebook page, website, and everything I read about them made me choose them over any other companies. I am so glad I did. The lady that watched my boys (the 4 year old wanted to stay in the hotel too) was excellent. So nice and professional. Brought a box of toys for them to play with. I even recommended her to a family on the beach so they could go to dinner that night, and they called to use her as well. I felt very safe to use their childcare services and be dependable to watch my children. When we are back in San Diego, I know who to call. read more

We used Marion's Childcare while visiting San Diego for vacation so we could take our older daughter kayaking. Ms. Leticia was wonderful. She was on time and as soon as she came in our 1 year old who has been struggling with separation anxiety went right to her and started playing with the toys she brought. She exchanged phone numbers so that we could check on him through the day which was reassuring. She said he didn't cry at all the entire time we were gone and he was in great spirits when we returned. She even did the dishes that were in the sink! I would recommend Marion's to anyone visiting or in need of last minute childcare and when we return, we will be hiring them again. read more

Can I get more stars? Amy and everyone at Marion's is amazing and strive to solve your pinch. These ladies always come through for me and my girls love the sitters who come prepared like Mary Poppins with their bag of games and toys and sometimes videos. read more

these people are AMAZING. Willing to help in emergencies too. would recommend them to anyone.