Frequently asked
questions

Sithappy connects parents with personally selected, pre-vetted babysitters in Ibiza and Formentera.

Browse trusted sitter profiles, watch short introduction videos, choose the sitter that feels right for your family, and book in minutes. Simple, warm, and designed around real family life.

Because finding childcare on holiday shouldn’t feel stressful.

Yes. Every Sithappy sitter is carefully verified, first aid trained, and DBS checked.

But trust is about more than certificates. That’s why every sitter also records a short video introduction, so parents can get a genuine feel for who they’re inviting into their family’s world. We also personally interview every sitter.

We wouldn’t list anyone we wouldn’t trust with our own children.

Always.

We believe parents should feel completely comfortable and in control. Every family is different, which is why Sithappy gives you the freedom to choose the sitter that feels like the best fit for your children.

Fast.

Most bookings are confirmed quickly, and our response guarantee means you’ll never be left waiting and wondering. Whether it’s a dinner reservation, beach club afternoon, wedding, or spontaneous night out, we make finding childcare feel effortless.

Not at all.

While Sithappy was born in Ibiza, we’re building a modern childcare platform for parents everywhere – from holidays and weekends away to regular support at home.

Most babysitting platforms feel transactional.

Sithappy was built differently.

We combine premium, verified childcare with warmth, personality, and genuine peace of mind. It’s not just about finding a sitter – it’s about helping parents properly switch off and enjoy themselves, knowing their children are happy too.

Apply through our website and complete the verification process. Every sitter is personally reviewed by our team before being approved – we’d rather take a little longer and make sure every sitter is someone we’d happily book ourselves.

A few essentials:

• Valid ID – passport, DNI or NIE
• A criminal background check
• First aid certification
• Childcare experience
• A driving licence
• Access to a car

We’ll walk you through how to get each of these in the sections below.

Yes. We’re looking for sitters who genuinely love working with children and have real experience to back it up – whether that’s nannying, nursery work, teaching, or looking after younger siblings and cousins. Parents trust us because we trust you.

Yes – both are required. Many bookings happen at villas spread across Ibiza and Formentera, often in places that public transport can’t reach. Being able to drive means you can take bookings reliably and respond quickly in an emergency.

English is preferred and will open up most of our bookings, since many families are visiting from abroad. Any additional languages – Spanish, French, German, Italian, Catalan, Dutch – are a real bonus and will help match you with more families.

Yes. You can opt in to the kinds of work that suit you – classic in-home babysitting, hotel childcare, wedding and event work, villa bookings, daytime hours, evening hours, or any combination. You’re always in control of what you accept.

Yes. Every sitter on Sithappy must provide a valid criminal background check before we approve their profile. No exceptions.

You’ll need two certificates:

• Certificado de Antecedentes Penales – general criminal record
• Certificado de Delitos de Naturaleza Sexual – sexual offences register

You can apply online through the Ministry of Justice using Cl@ve or a digital certificate, or in person at a government office. You’ll need your NIE/DNI or passport, the application form, and a small admin fee. Both certificates usually arrive within a few days.

The fastest route is requesting a copy of your criminal record online: gov.uk/request-copy-criminal-record. It’s quick and inexpensive. DBS, PVG (Scotland) and AccessNI checks are also accepted.

If you’re a UK national living and working in Spain, the Spanish antecedentes penales is usually all you’ll need – most sitters in this position just get the Spanish one.

Bring an equivalent criminal background check from your home country – every EU member state issues one. The common names:

• Germany – Führungszeugnis
• France – Bulletin n°3 du casier judiciaire
• Netherlands – Verklaring Omtrent het Gedrag (VOG)
• Italy – Certificato del casellario giudiziale
• Ireland – Garda vetting

If your country isn’t listed, message us and we’ll point you to the right document. Our team manually verifies every check against the issuing authority.

You can get a free, recognised first aid certificate online at firstaidforfree.com. It takes about an hour and gives you a downloadable certificate at the end. In-person courses are also widely available across Ibiza and the UK if you’d prefer hands-on training.

Background checks are renewed annually to keep your profile active. First aid certification needs renewing every three years. We’ll send you a reminder well before either one expires – nothing for you to keep track of.

Our team reviews everything by hand. We check your ID, background check, first aid certificate and experience, and we’ll be in touch within a few days – either to approve you, or to ask for anything that’s missing. We don’t outsource this part, because we don’t think a marketplace should.

Yes. Parents see your photo, experience, languages, the areas you cover, your reviews, and your verification badges (ID verified, background-checked, first aid certified). They cannot see your personal contact details or documents.

Yes. Your ID, address, criminal record check and bank details are stored securely and never shown to parents or anyone outside our team. We only share what’s needed for a booking – your name, profile, and contact details with the parent you’ve been matched with.

You’ll get an email with the booking details, and the request will appear in the “Bookings” tab of your dashboard.

Absolutely. Every booking is yours to accept or decline – there’s no penalty for saying no to one that doesn’t suit you. We only ask that you respond promptly so the family isn’t left waiting.

It varies. Some families book weeks ahead for a planned holiday; others need someone for tonight. You can set your preference for how much notice you want, and we’ll only send you requests that fit.

Yes – you’re in full control. Set which days and hours you’re available, block out time off, and update it as often as you like. We’ll only show you to parents when you’re actually free.

Yes. Pick the areas of Ibiza (and Formentera, if you’re up for the ferry) where you’re happy to work. We’ll only match you with families inside those zones.

Everything you need to walk in confident: booking times, exact location, number and ages of the children, allergies or medical notes, sleep routines, house rules, and anything else the parents want you to know. If there’s something missing, you can message the parent directly through your dashboard.

Message the parent through your dashboard straight away, and let our support team know too. Things happen – the important thing is that the family knows what’s going on.

Payments are processed securely through Stripe and transferred straight to your bank account. You’ll never need to chase a parent for money – we handle that side for you.

Once your application is approved, you’ll be invited to set up your Stripe Express account – this is the payment partner we use to send your earnings. The setup takes about five minutes:

• Open the “Payouts” tab in your dashboard
• Click “Set up payouts” – this takes you to Stripe’s secure form
• Enter your personal details (name, address, date of birth) and your IBAN
• Verify your identity with a quick photo of your ID
• You’re done – earnings will land in that account after each booking

If you ever change banks, you can update the account in the same place.

Earnings are released to your bank account within 7 days of the booking being completed. Stripe handles the transfer – it usually arrives a day or two after release, depending on your bank.

Hourly rates depend on the booking type, time of day, group size and the family’s package. Sithappy sitters earn competitive Ibiza-market rates – higher than informal cash work, with the protection of a regulated platform behind you. Your exact rate is shown on every booking request before you accept.

No. Everything stays on the platform – that’s how we protect both you and the family. Cash payments leave you with no record if a booking is disputed, no payment guarantee, and no review history to grow your reputation. If a family ever offers cash, please let us know.

It depends on how much you expect to earn from Sithappy in a year. In Spain, well-established jurisprudence says you don’t need to register with Social Security as autónomo if your annual self-employment income stays below the Salario Mínimo Interprofesional – around €16,576 for 2026. Above that figure, registration is required.

Either way, you’re responsible for declaring your Sithappy income on your annual tax return (declaración de la renta) with Hacienda – we’ll send you a yearly statement of everything you earned to make that easier.

Tax rules change and your personal situation matters, so if you’re unsure, a gestor (€30–80 for a one-off consultation) will sort you out in 20 minutes. We’re a platform, not your accountant – we can point you in the right direction but we can’t give you formal tax advice.

Our cancellation policy depends on how much notice the parent gives. Cancellations close to the start time still pay you a portion of the booking, because your evening was already committed. The full policy is in your sitter agreement, and the exact amount you’ll receive for any cancelled booking is shown in your dashboard.

The basics that make a great sitter great:

• Arrive on time, ideally a few minutes early
• Be warm, professional, and present with the children
• Keep phone use to a minimum – emergencies and brief check-ins only
• Follow the parents’ instructions on routines, meals and bedtimes
• Respect the family’s home and privacy
• Always prioritise the children’s safety

Yes – it’s a small thing that makes a big difference. A few age-appropriate games, craft supplies, story books or activity ideas mean you’re never stuck for something to do, especially when the children take a while to warm to you.

No – never. Photos or videos of the children should not appear on your social media, in chat groups, or anywhere else without explicit written permission from the parents. This is a strict rule and grounds for removal from the platform.

No. Only the approved Sithappy sitter named on the booking can attend. The family is trusting us with their children based on your verification – we can’t allow anyone else into their home.

Comfortable, clean, practical clothing you can sit on the floor and play in. Smart-casual is the right level – not beachwear, not a club outfit. If a booking is at a more formal venue (a wedding, a yacht), we’ll let you know in advance.

No. Smoking, vaping and drinking alcohol are not permitted during any booking, anywhere on the premises. The children’s safety and the family’s trust come first.

Yes. After every completed booking, parents can leave a rating and a short review. Strong reviews are the single biggest driver of getting more bookings, so they matter.

We treat every concern fairly. Our team will read the review, may speak to both you and the parent to understand what happened, and decide what – if anything – needs to change. One unfair review won’t define your profile; a pattern of complaints will lead to a conversation.

Yes. Sitters who repeatedly cancel, no-show, break our guidelines, or fail to meet our standards will be removed. We take this seriously because every parent on Sithappy is trusting us with their children – we can’t compromise on that, and we don’t expect you to either.

Yes. Formentera bookings are a regular part of summer. Travel costs (ferry, and any additional transport) are covered by the family when the booking is confirmed.

Yes. A large share of our families are visiting Ibiza and Formentera on holiday. Holiday bookings tend to be a mix of villa childcare, evening sitting so parents can go out for dinner, and longer stretches during the day.

Yes – every booking clearly states the location type. If you’d prefer to skip yacht or hotel bookings, you can set that in your preferences and we’ll only send you the kinds of bookings you want.

Message our support team through your dashboard and someone will respond fast. We’re a real team of people, not a ticket queue.

Call emergency services first – 112 in Spain – then inform the parents and our support team. Don’t wait to message us if a child is hurt or unwell. The right order is: safety, parents, Sithappy.

Our support team. The fastest way is through the chat in your dashboard, but you can also email us. We’re here for the awkward stuff as well as the easy stuff – that’s the point of being on a platform.

No. Sithappy is a platform that connects you with families – you work for yourself as an independent sitter. We’re responsible for matching, payments, support and platform standards. You’re responsible for the work itself and your own tax position (see the autónomo question above).

No. Families introduced to you through Sithappy stay on the platform. This protects everyone: you get paid reliably and have support if anything goes wrong, the family gets the verification protections they signed up for, and the platform we’re building together stays sustainable. Taking bookings off-platform is grounds for removal.