What is Apiari?

Apiari is a work platform that helps childcare providers find jobs, manage bookings, and automate payments with families.

Families access our marketplace platform free of charge as providers pay us to use our proprietary technology to help them reduce over 15 hours of weekly administrative tasks into minutes.

As a result, more providers are willing to take up part-time, short-term, and occasional help, giving families more flexibility, including getting help for just a single session.

Currently, we work only with night nurse, nanny/babysitter and childcare enrichment leaders.

Providers are only allowed onto the platform after an intensive interview process. Read more about our selection process.

How does Apiari match me to providers?

Based on your input including location, service needs, and family information, we’ll match you with providers with the right experience who is available at your desired date and time.

We recommend the top providers that meet your requests, saving you over 20 hours of culling through resumes, conducting interviews, and vetting.

Is there a minimum number or length of sessions?

Most providers require a minimum session length of three hours unless they have another client session nearby before or after your session. Those with specific minimum hours have note it on their profiles.

How can I make sure the provider is a good fit for our needs?

Book the provider for a single session and see them at work and interacting with you and your family. It’s the only way to get a better sense of who they are and if it’s a good fit for your family.

Be transparent upfront about any medical or physical special needs or conditions of your family members. You can add this info via the search process [by selecting “My child has special needs”] or under additional interview or “Add session notes for my provider” during your booking. This would help with your initial matching and allow providers to decide if they are up to the task. Also, it would give providers time to prepare for your care needs.

Can I meet with a provider beforehand?

We can help schedule a free 30-minute phone call with your provider of choice. If you like to meet them in person, we suggesting booking a paid 30 mins or 1-hour working interview.

Providers appreciate being paid for the worked time, even if it’s 30 mins to offset their travel expense and time. We have also found that a paid interview sets off the working relationship on the right foot.

How do I get started?

Easy! Make your first booking in a matter of minutes.

Do you offer full-time help?

Yes, some of our providers offer full-time help. Search based on your scheduling needs and we will match you to providers who have that availability.

What are the benefits of using Apiari?

The benefits of using Apiari for all your in-home care include:

– Pay only for sessions needed. No sign-on fees or subscription plans to use our service. No need to pay your provider or us when going on vacation or simply not needing the help that particular day.

– Find backup support when your provider falls ill or is going on vacation. Our last-minute booking feature allows you to send booking requests that start within the next 24 hours to multiple providers. The first one that accepts automatically cancels the remaining open request. This way you can hear back from a provider sooner than later.

– We provide dependent childcare services receipts that can be applied against dependent care accounts and child care tax credits. See more here.

I forgot my password. How can I log on?

Visit our “Forgot password” page and enter your email address on file. You will receive a password reset email to create a new password. Please look in your spam/junk folder if you do not receive an email within a couple of minutes.

How do I update or change my information?

After you log in, pull down the menu next to your name (top right corner) and select “My Profile.” From there, you can upload a photo and/or edit your home address, email address and contact number. At the bottom of the page, you can also update your credit card on file and any service-specific information related to your children, your home, dietary preferences, etc.

How are sessions charged?

Similiar to a hotel reservation system, childcare sessions are pre-authorized to your credit card on file up to one week prior to your scheduled session.

Final charges are made every Saturday after the week’s sessions have been completed.  You will receive an email on Saturday morning with actual usage and charges along with the following week’s schedule (if you have any scheduled sessions).

How do I cancel or change a scheduled session?

Amy, our virtual assistant, can help you modify your upcoming sessions. Select “Manage Sessions” and she’ll guide you through the change/cancellation requests.

Otherwise, drop us an email or call us at 212.381.9687. We love to help!

What if I come home late or early?

Please do let your provider know if you are running late. They may have another client session and will need to let that client know. You may be required to pay for cab fare to their next assignment. They will let us know the extra amount of time they worked, and once confirmed by you, we will direct-bill the additional time to your credit card on file.

If you come home early, you can decide if you want them to stay for the full session duration (and sneak in some extra personal time!) or release them early. There is no partial refund as providers have committed the time to your session.

Do I have to use a credit card?

Yes, but rest assured that your credit card information – in fact, all of your information – is safe. We don’t keep your credit card information on file. All card details are stored and processed with Stripe. You can review Stripe’s privacy policy here.

Do you sell my information?

Never! We respect your privacy and like you, we are tired of sorting through junk email and snail mail! You may see targeted advertising on our portal and emails based on your needs. Click them if they are of interest to you and share your info directly, only if you wish, with our advertisers.

Do you offer gift cards?

Yes, we offer eGift cards at pre-set or custom amounts with various designs.