4Cs, founded in 1972, is a nonprofit agency serving the families of San Mateo County in three service areas: Quality Child Care and Preschool, Family Support and Health, and Child Development.

A website to help smooth the search for a nanny. Users can advertise for a nanny and search nanny ads in the site's nationwide Nanny Classifieds - 30 day ads start at $89.

You can also look up agencies in your area and compare fees and policies online.

Other helpful tools include sample work agreements, interview questions, an Ask the Experts forum and more.

A website to help smooth the search for a nanny. Users can advertise for a nanny and search nanny ads in the site's nationwide Nanny Classifieds - 30 day ads start at $89.

You can also look up agencies in your area and compare fees and policies online.

Other helpful tools include sample work agreements, interview questions, an Ask the Experts forum and more.

4nannies.com is an online directory of nannies seeking work that allows parents to review applicants 24 hours a day. Candidate resumes expire after 21 days.

Searching the database is free. After signing up, members can directly contact any of the listed nannies right away. It's up to families to check references; 4nannies.com only does criminal background checks - that's one reason it's much cheaper than full-service agencies.

Want to try before you buy? A 14-day guest membership is available for free. The guest membership does not offer all the benefits of paid membership, but it gives parents a good idea of what's available. Parents who commit to the 120-day membership plan receive a discount on future membership renewals.

4sitters.com is an online resource for babysitters, nannies, pet sitting providers, tutors, home daycare providers, and house sitters, anywhere in the world.

The site offers search tools; a sitter rating system; a sitter job posting and messaging service; and the ability to review the resumes of babysitters, nannies, home daycare centers, house sitters, and pet sitting providers before purchasing a membership.

The network extends to every state in the US and is available anywhere in the world.

Prospective members can register and evaluate the service for free. Follow the instructions on the website, and then verify that there are sitters in the area and review a sitter's experience and background before purchasing a membership. Resumes may include availability, pay rate, preferred age group, a photo, and references.

Membership is $6.99 a month, with a one-time setup fee of $34.99. The membership is auto-renewed for $6.99
every month thereafter; members can cancel at any time. Or purchase a lifetime, transferable membership for a one-time fee of $149.99. When you no longer need the service, your are free to transfer, sell, or give away your membership to whom ever you choose.

4sitters.com is an online resource for babysitters, nannies, pet sitting providers, tutors, home daycare providers, and house sitters, anywhere in the world.

The site offers search tools; a sitter rating system; a sitter job posting and messaging service; and the ability to review the resumes of babysitters, nannies, home daycare centers, house sitters, and pet sitting providers before purchasing a membership.

The network extends to every state in the US and is available anywhere in the world.

Prospective members can register and evaluate the service for free. Follow the instructions on the website, and then verify that there are sitters in the area and review a sitter's experience and background before purchasing a membership. Resumes may include availability, pay rate, preferred age group, a photo, and references.

Membership is $6.99 a month, with a one-time setup fee of $34.99. The membership is auto-renewed for $6.99
every month thereafter; members can cancel at any time. Or purchase a lifetime, transferable membership for a one-time fee of $149.99. When you no longer need the service, your are free to transfer, sell, or give away your membership to whom ever you choose.

A Nanny Solution is a nanny placement agency serving the South Bay. The company places nannies for all types of situations - full time, part time, night nannies, temporary, or permanent.

Angelic Faces is a SF/Bay Area nanny placement agency that requires Trustline Certification, drug screening, TB testing, CPR certification, and clear DMV files.

Au Pair International provides families with a flexible childcare solution. Because au pairs are live-in, they have the flexibility to care for children at the times that accommodate a family's schedule. Au pairs may also assist with childcare related light housekeeping and duties.

Au pairs in the program are proficient in spoken English and must pass a screening, background, and personal interview process. All candidates have documented childcare experience and must complete a 32-hour childcare training program, which includes development stages, CPR, nutrition, infant care, safety, age appropriate activities, child illnesses, and more.

Consult the website for pricing and application information.

Au Pair USA provides families with affordable childcare and an opportunity to bring another culture into the home. Visit the website for more information.

A well-respected agency that offers permanent in-home placement of household help - nannies, baby-sitters, baby-nurses, and family assistants - on full-time, part-time, live-out, or live-in basis. The agency requires applicants to be experienced adults with at least one year of childcare experience. Candidates are Trustline registered, references are checked, and CPR training is mandatory.

Aunt Ann’s also places housekeepers, eldercare, chefs, home managers, and personal assistants.

A well-respected agency that offers permanent in-home placement of household help - nannies, baby-sitters, baby-nurses, and family assistants - on full-time, part-time, live-out, or live-in basis. The agency requires applicants to be experienced adults with at least one year of childcare experience. Candidates are Trustline registered, references are checked, and CPR training is mandatory.

Aunt Ann’s also places housekeepers, eldercare, chefs, home managers, and personal assistants.

AuPair-Options.com is an online service designed to connect families looking for childcare with candidate au pairs throughout the world. A monthly fee is required to take advantage of all of the available services.

Parents seeking a sitter for a night out, a last-minute replacement, or a sitter for ongoing childcare may find the right person through BabySitters.com, a website that provides detailed babysitter profiles. Parents who sign up for the service can search for a sitter and/or post a job for a sitter.

The website also offers a "how-to" series for both parents and sitters. For parents, the series covers everything from doing a background check to how much a sitter should be paid. For sitters, the series covers topics that include certifications, training, how much to charge, how to interview, and a checklist for working with a new family.

BANANAS Inc provides parents with free child care referrals to a wide array of child care options, from an occasional babysitter to a full-time nanny, licensed family child care provider, or child care center.

BANANAS also helps parents hook up with other parents to form a nanny share or a parent co-op. And it offers free parenting workshops on an ongoing basis.

Call for practical handouts on topics that range from "How to hire an in-house child care provider" to "What children
need in child care."

The motto of Bay Area 2nd Mom is to "provide care when you can't be there." As such, it serves as a referral agency for nannies, babysitters, personal assistance, and housekeeping. Clients include single families, as well as hotel guests, and corporate employees.

What it offers is security: Every applicant is screened and offered professional training, if necessary. All pre-screened candidates are experienced, and English speaking or bi-lingual. Screening includes extensive background checks, including DMV printouts, checking references, Social Security traces, fingerprints, and two criminal background checks.

The well-developed Web site allows you to register online for whatever it is you want - be it a long-term Nanny or someone who needs only four hours notice.

The motto of Bay Area 2nd Mom is to "provide care when you can't be there." As such, it serves as a referral agency for nannies, babysitters, personal assistance, and housekeeping. Clients include single families, as well as hotel guests, and corporate employees.

What it offers is security: Every applicant is screened and offered professional training, if necessary. All pre-screened candidates are experienced, and English speaking or bi-lingual. Screening includes extensive background checks, including DMV printouts, checking references, Social Security traces, fingerprints, and two criminal background checks.

The well-developed Web site allows you to register online for whatever it is you want - be it a long-term Nanny or someone who needs only four hours notice.

The motto of Bay Area 2nd Mom is to "provide care when you can't be there." As such, it serves as a referral agency for nannies, babysitters, personal assistance, and housekeeping. Clients include single families, as well as hotel guests, and corporate employees.

What it offers is security: Every applicant is screened and offered professional training, if necessary. All pre-screened candidates are experienced, and English speaking or bi-lingual. Screening includes extensive background checks, including DMV printouts, checking references, Social Security traces, fingerprints, and two criminal background checks.

The well-developed Web site allows you to register online for whatever it is you want - be it a long-term Nanny or someone who needs only four hours notice.

Bay SuperSitters (and Nannies!) LLC offers referrals to fully-screened, highly qualified nannies all over the Bay Area. Families can choose occasional, part time, full time, or temporary care.

The cost for the service varies. Agency fees are low, and nannies earn $12-$16 per hour.

California Placements is a domestic service placement agency, specializing in placing loving nannies across the Northern Bay Area.

Care.com is an online service that matches families with caregivers - including babysitters, nannies, pet sitters, dog walkers, tutors, and respite care for seniors.

Families can search Care.com by their zip code or metro area to find listings of caregivers who match their specific needs. Search results include enhanced caregiver profiles - with photos, video interviews, and references - which families can view before contacting a caregiver about a job. Plus, families can request free background checks on any caregiver as part of their monthly membership.

Caring Hands Worker Association offers experienced childcare providers who receive ongoing training in childhood development, nutrition, and cultural and family diversity. Note: Bilingual providers are in high demand and there may be a waiting list.

The Council provides parents with free referrals to all types of child care facilities and family child care providers. They also connect parents with community resources and help them learn if they are eligible for child care subsidies. The procedure is simple: parents phone in and tell a counselor what type of childcare they'd like, and where they'd like it to be based (near home or work) and they receive names of licensed (but unscreened) programs and family caregivers. Children’s Council also offers periodic trainings for child care providers.

Note: The group's referrals are not recommendations.

The Council offers free referrals to infant, preschool and after school programs, as well as family child care.

Cultural Care Au Pair is an experienced and trusted childcare and cultural exchange program that's offered families flexible, live-in childcare with a unique international perspective since 1989.

Au pairs live in the home as a member of the family, allowing children the benefits of one-to-one, committed, and caring companionship. Au pairs are 18-26 years old, speak English, and have previous experience working with children. All are high school graduates with a sincere interest in living with an American family for a year. Childcare experience varies by candidate and may include babysitting for family, friends, and neighbors, as well as helping with playgroups or working at day care centers.

An extensive network of Cultural Care Au Pair local coordinators carefully screens au pair candidates, and supports families and au pairs throughout the year. Monthly check-ins and meetings help things go smoothly.

This parent-owned online directory of childcare options includes in-home providers, nannies, childcare centers, and babysitters, serving infants through school-age children. The website also offers links to helpful articles on parenting, state oversight agencies, and more.

The database is searchable by zip code, children's ages, and type of care required. Results include contact information; a description of the services offered; the staff, philosophy, licensing, and facilities of the provider; and hours of operation. Helpful icons beside search matches indicate which providers offer drop-in services and off-hours care; some listings include photos.

A very minimal amount of information can be gathered from a free search of the site - name of daycare, how many children of various ages are cared for by the provider, address, and phone number. To get additional information - hours of operation, website address, photos, etc. - parents must subscribe.

A note of caution: Listed providers are not screened, so while the site is a great starting point in a search for childcare, it's imperative that parents check out claims regarding licensing, staff, and facilities.

An informative online Preschool Guide serving the Contra Costa and Tri-Valley areas.

EurAupair provides families with affordable childcare and an opportunity to bring another culture into the home. Visit the website for more information.

Families searching for childcare help can practically "try before they buy" - searching for an aupair/nanny within specific criteria, choosing those favorites using a "hotlist", and sending instant notification is sent to those that seem most compatible.

Aupairs around the world await families, and their listings specify their most desirable situation. Families searching for an au pair can list their information and criteria, too.

For complete contact information, however, membership is required.

LookingForDayCare.com helps parents explore their options for childcare in California. The website offers links to a plethora of childcare providers, referral agencies, family support programs, and federal and state resources - including the official page for virtually every California city.

Helps people find licensed childcare in Marin County (infant, preschool and school-age care) and has online referrals for people who do not want to take referrals over the phone or by mail.

The Council offers referrals for licensed child care, and also has a wealth of information on choosing quality childcare. It also helps people find funding for childcare, and provides training for potential childcare providers.

A nanny/housekeeper placement agency in the East and North Bay.

Pacifica Mother's Club offers friendship and support for caregivers of children from birth through age five, who reside in Pacifica and neighboring communities.

Membership benefits include playgroups, educational speaker presentations, on-line discussion forums, monthly newsletter, a babysitting co-op, and an “In-a-Pinch” meal program.

The California Council of Parent Participation Nursery Schools offers a comprehensive list of coop schools in the Bay Area.

Parents Place, a non-sectarian program of Jewish Family and Children's Services, may well be the best parenting resource in town. It offers a number of helpful services for parents mind-boggling in their breadth. Among them, parent workshops, playgroups, parent support groups, resource and referral services, counseling services, parenting advice, annual open house nights for local preschools, and groups and workshops with resources on searching for preschools and kindergartens.

Its central goal is to not only support parents, but to bring parents together. Its resource and referral system is an example of how it succeeds on the grass roots level. The "system" is nothing more than a couple of big old bulletin boards hung just outside the offices. On them you can find slips of paper listing nannies, babysitters, and housecleaners looking for work. You can also put up your own advertisement.

The service is free to nannies who wish to list (there is a $20 fee for parents to put up a listing for four weeks) and widely used; Parents Place was named "Best Place to Find a Nanny in San Francisco" by the Bay Guardian in 2001 and "Best Resource for Overwhelmed Parents" by the SF Weekly in 2003. There's no screening whatsoever of individuals who post listings. But the staff can provide guidelines on how to find the right nanny if you need help.

Classes & workshops: Offers a huge range of parenting classes, seminars, and workshops from New Mother, New Baby, to Look! I Can Cook!. Parent/child activity groups are held during the day; most classes and workshops are held in the late afternoon/early evening.

Afterschool classes: Parents Place's On The Mark mentor/tutor program matches volunteers with students ages eight to 18 who are looking for guidance and assistance with school subjects and other issues. [Contact Taylor Epstein, 415.359.2463 or email TaylorE@jfcs.org]

Services:

* Parents Place Express speakers bureau.

* Quarterly newsletter/calendar.

* Counseling services to families with children up to age 18.(Sliding scale, MediCal accepted.)

* Age-specific play activity groups for children with socialization difficulties.

* Mentor/tutor program for students ages eight to 18.

* Community service programs for teens.

* Bulletin board for parents seeking caregivers/caregivers seeking employment.

* Coaching and consultation for parents.

Parents Place, a non-sectarian program of Jewish Family and Children's Services, may well be the best parenting resource in town. It offers a number of helpful services for parents mind-boggling in their breadth. Among them, parent workshops, playgroups, parent support groups, resource and referral services, counseling services, parenting advice, annual open house nights for local preschools, and groups and workshops with resources on searching for preschools and kindergartens.

Its central goal is to not only support parents, but to bring parents together. Its resource and referral system is an example of how it succeeds on the grass roots level. The "system" is nothing more than a couple of big old bulletin boards hung just outside the offices. On them you can find slips of paper listing nannies, babysitters, and housecleaners looking for work. You can also put up your own advertisement.

The service is free to nannies who wish to list (there is a $20 fee for parents to put up a listing for four weeks) and widely used; Parents Place was named "Best Place to Find a Nanny in San Francisco" by the Bay Guardian in 2001 and "Best Resource for Overwhelmed Parents" by the SF Weekly in 2003. There's no screening whatsoever of individuals who post listings. But the staff can provide guidelines on how to find the right nanny if you need help.

Classes & workshops: Offers a huge range of parenting classes, seminars, and workshops from New Mother, New Baby, to Look! I Can Cook!. Parent/child activity groups are held during the day; most classes and workshops are held in the late afternoon/early evening.

Afterschool classes: Parents Place's On The Mark mentor/tutor program matches volunteers with students ages eight to 18 who are looking for guidance and assistance with school subjects and other issues. [Contact Taylor Epstein, 415.359.2463 or email TaylorE@jfcs.org]

Services:

* Parents Place Express speakers bureau.

* Quarterly newsletter/calendar.

* Counseling services to families with children up to age 18.(Sliding scale, MediCal accepted.)

* Age-specific play activity groups for children with socialization difficulties.

* Mentor/tutor program for students ages eight to 18.

* Community service programs for teens.

* Bulletin board for parents seeking caregivers/caregivers seeking employment.

* Coaching and consultation for parents.

Place a v