SFS Program

Are you a Parent and a Student in the Greater Boston area?
Do you need Help with Childcare while you go to class or study?
Are you at risk of dropping out of college or university?

We are here to help you!

SFS provides Free Babysitting Sessions: weekly, in-person, and with a reliable Sitter at your home for the entire semester.

Take charge of your future!

Keep reading to learn more and how you can apply!

 
 

Who is Eligible?

Jenny Marcelin and Children

SFS Student Parent Scholar and SFS Board Member, Jenny Marcelin with her children.

To Apply for the In-Person Babysitting Service, you must meet all of the following requirements:

  • Live within the greater Boston community

  • Have a Child 0-12 years of Age

  • Be enrolled in a Training or Education Course (technical school, GED, college)

  • Qualify as Low-Income (250% of Federal Poverty Level. Participating in a current income-eligible program is sufficient).

 

Matching Process

Sitters For Scholars provides free babysitting sessions to low-income parents enrolled in college or certificate programs.

Our services rely on experienced, trained volunteer babysitters who live in the Greater Boston area. Families are provided with a Free Babysitting Session (up to 8 hours per week) with the same volunteer to help support consistency within families. Sitters get matched with their families based on availability, geographic location, experience, and preferences. Additional sessions per week are available.

 
 

Safety & Quality

  • Background Checks (CORI and SORI), multiple professional and personal reference checks, and thorough interviews are conducted for both Sitters and Families (including all household members).

  • Sitters undergo specific training for our Babysitting Program and are CPR and First Aid trained.

  • Quality Feedback Forms are filled out by Parents and Sitters after every session for evaluation and to inform future matchings.

  • Family homes are inspected based on rigorous safety requirements before the first sitting session.

  • Both Families and Sitters receive profiles and important sitting details of each other prior to sitting sessions.

 
 

How to Apply

The best way to start is to fill out our initial application !

This helps us understand your situation and serve you better. We will then reach out to you for further discussion.

Please take some time to read our FAQ section before applying to the program.


Still have Questions? Contact our Program Manager: info@sittersforscholars.org

Next Steps

Here’s what happens after you fill out the initial application:

  1. Phone Interview: Sitters for Scholars  will contact you directly to discuss your specific needs

  2. Background Checks: CORI and SORI checks

  3. Reference Checks

  4. Matching: we will match you with a sitter and will connect you via a profile exchange (exchange of contact information so you & your sitter can schedule sessions throughout the semester).

 

With the gracious help of Sitters For Scholars, I can pursue my dream of completing a BFA.

Zahirah, SFS Mother