I still remember the first time my relative looked for a babysitter for their kids. They hired a teenager from the neighborhood for a few hours while they went out—and let’s just say she wasn’t exactly Mary Poppins.
The living room looked like a war zone when they got home. The kids were even covered in glitter. To add to the chaos, the whole house smelled like burnt popcorn.
After that disaster, I knew I had to do some serious research to find better babysitting services. Thankfully, the rest of the Best Calgary team helped me out.
If you’re looking for a babysitter, here’s everyone we found who’s experienced and guaranteed not to turn your home upside down.
How much does it cost to hire a babysitter in Calgary?
Hiring a babysitter in Calgary costs at least 15 CAD per hour. This is just an estimate, and the final cost will depend on factors like the babysitter’s experience, the number and age of children, and additional requirements.
Table of Contents
1. Smart Sitters Club

Contact Details: +1 403-671-5527
We love that Smart Sitters Club goes the extra mile by offering child coordination at events. Parents appreciate the peace of mind of knowing their kids are well-supervised and engaged while they enjoy the event.
We particularly liked how the sitters set up a designated area with fun activities and games. It was reassuring to see how this allows the adults to relax.
We were also impressed by how smoothly they balanced entertaining and keeping an eye on the kids.
When we talked to other parents, they couldn’t stop praising the sitters’ reliability and flexibility. Many shared how they could arrange a sitter on short notice—a huge plus for busy families.
The sitters’ genuine passion for working with kids also stood out. They have a great knack for connecting with children of all personalities, keeping them engaged.
The only downside we noticed is the minimum 4-hour requirement for sitting services. It might feel slightly rigid for some parents with shorter needs.
Engaging and smart babysitters
“We had never had a babysitter before and engaged Smart sitters. Faria is fantastic, she is so confident with our 17 month old. It was so reassuring to us to have someone so experienced look after our little girl. We have now booked her three times in the last two months and will be booking her for any of our future babysitting needs. Added bonus, she got along so well with our dog. We had prepared to put him in his pen when she was over as he doesn’t do so well with new people in our home. They bonded so quickly, and he loves to sleep on her lap. That’s just the cherry on top for us!”
– Tia McGrath, Google Reviews
Organized and easy to work with
“Smart sitters club was so organized and easy to work with. My daughter enjoyed her time with Faria! Highly recommend.”
– Nancy Ann Outram, Google Reviews
2. YYCsitters

Contact Details: +1 403-973-7766
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
YYCsitters is a lifesaver for busy parents. We truly appreciate that they offer overnight care. Many parents we spoke with appreciated enjoying a night out without worrying about childcare.
Another big plus is that these sitters even handle light housekeeping. Coming home to a tidy house after a night out is a bonus—parents loved this extra touch.
What impressed us was the sitters’ personalities. They genuinely engage with the kids by playing games, reading books, and making real connections.
We’re also glad they’re always up-to-date on CPR and first aid training. This proactive approach gives parents peace of mind.
Aside from that, we also liked their on-demand babysitting service. It’s super helpful for last-minute plans. Parents told us the sitters have come through for them in a pinch more than once.
However, the emergency booking system is slow at times. A few parents mentioned that they had to find alternative care because the response time was not quick enough to accommodate their urgent needs.
Available for last-minute booking
“YYC Setters really came through for us when we needed a babysitter last minute! Canon, our sitter, was amazing with our two kids. She kept them entertained the whole time and turned what could’ve been a chaotic night into fun. It’s such a relief knowing they’re certified and background-checked too. Highly recommend this service!”
– Youseff Awad, Google Reviews
Great at keeping the kids engaged
“I’ve had Andrea from YYC Setters look after my kids a few times now, and I couldn’t be happier with her! She’s so patient and great at keeping the kids engaged with fun activities. Even my youngest, who’s usually shy with new people, warmed up to her quickly. It’s such a relief knowing I can count on her, especially with all the certifications in place. Highly recommend Andrea and YYC Setters if you’re looking for trustworthy sitters!”
– Eldon Only One, Google Reviews
3. SweetPies

Contact Details: +1 587-707-7953
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 8 AM to 5 PM
- Friday & Saturday – 8 AM to 12 AM
- Sunday – 8 AM to 9 PM
What impressed us most about SweetPies is their focus on the well-being and development of children.
We love that they handle tasks like bathing, feeding, and diaper changes. They also genuinely care about fostering a child’s social and emotional growth.
Parents shared how SweetPies babysitters planned educational activities, including reading and helping with homework. Many noted that their sitters helped teach kids to express feelings healthily, reducing tantrums.
Besides that, their flexibility and discipline really stood out to us. They work closely with parents to follow specific methods, and the sitters align with parents’ boundaries and expectations for a seamless experience.
But there’s a drawback. We wish there were more flexibility with the minimum booking time. The three-hour requirement for shorter outings or quick appointments can feel restrictive.
Kind, caring, and shows up on time
“Sanam has been a kind, caring and professional babysitter for our kids, she was a great help to us whenever we needed, I had a peace of mind every time I had to leave kids for a business trip , I was sure my kids were in good hands. She always showed up on time and we could rely on her and the service she provided. My kids love her and miss her so much. She is highly recommended.
Atousa”
– Atousa Sepehr, Google Reviews
Supportive, kind, and responsible sitters
“We used a babysitter service here, and it was a perfect experience for us. They were supportive, kind, and responsible. My child liked the lady and asked to have her at home whenever we talked about any plans. I highly recommend Sweetpies and thank them for making us feel safe and comfortable.”
– Shima Namazi, Google Reviews
4. Sitly

We love that the Sitly platform offers a free basic membership to access tons of babysitters. We tested the site ourselves, and it’s ridiculously easy to browse profiles and message sitters directly without committing upfront.
They stand out for their no-minimum-hour requirement. This is a huge plus for parents who only need a sitter for a few hours while running errands.
This flexibility also makes it incredibly convenient for those with unpredictable schedules.
However, one significant drawback is that Sitly doesn’t perform background checks. Many parents found it frustrating to independently vet the sitters before trusting them with their kids, which adds extra time and effort.
Even so, we were impressed by the sitters in the Sitly community. They’re friendly, approachable, and responsive.
Many go above and beyond, helping children with homework and playing games. Some even make sure the little ones get to bed on time—all of which parents found invaluable.
Easy to get along with
“Amber is very outgoing and I’m the same way, so when we spoke we got along immediately. We click well together, but it is more important that the kids like her as well. After all, they’re going to spend the most time with her. When she came to meet the kids, she was playing on the floor with Zoé within a few minutes. It took Noah a little while longer, but after a bit he wanted to play as well. Then I knew Amber was the right babysitter for us.”
– Olivia, Review from Sitly
Brings calmness and peace of mind
“The nice thing about Hannah is that she’s so calm. She gets along with both girls and she’s very easy going. When she’s here, they have no problems with her. It’s nice to have a babysitter that comes over often. Hannah knows where everything is and hardly needs to ask about anything. She always checks the bedtimes with us and is confident enough to find her own way around the house, so when we’re gone, she doesn’t call us for small things. When she’s here, we know that we don’t have anything to worry about.”
– Ellen, Review from Sitly