Frequently Asked Questions

Opeari is a community-driven childcare platform that connects parents directly — to share care, support each other, and co-create solutions that fit your life. No agencies. No strangers. Just your village.

Key Features:

• Direct parent-to-parent connections
• Verified, trusted community members
• Flexible care arrangements (swaps, shares, backup)
• Local focus - your actual neighborhood
• No agency fees or middlemen

Getting started is simple and completely free during our beta:

1. Join our beta waitlist - Tell us about your family and location
2. Complete your profile - Share what kind of care support you're looking for
3. Get connected - We'll help connect you with families and caregivers in your area
4. Start building your village - Begin creating the support network your family needs

We'll notify you when Opeari launches in your area and guide you through every step of building your community.

Absolutely! We welcome anyone who wants to be part of a caring community:

• Grandparents who want to help their community
• Retired educators with valuable experience
• College students looking for flexible work
• Neighbors and friends who want to support families
• Professional caregivers seeking meaningful connections

Opeari is about the whole village, not just parents. Every caring person makes our community stronger.

No strangers, no agency fees, no spam. Here's what makes us different:

Think quality over quantity, relationships over transactions. You're connecting with neighbors and community members, not random profiles from across the city.

We're starting with select communities and expanding based on demand. Currently in early access for:

• San Francisco Bay Area
• Los Angeles Metro
• Seattle Metro
• Austin, TX
• Brooklyn, NY

Don't see your area? Join our waitlist anyway! We prioritize new areas based on community interest. Even just one match can make a huge difference — whether it's a neighbor, a grandparent, or someone nearby looking to help.

Safety is our highest priority. We take a multi-layered approach:

Additional Safety Features:

• Identity verification for all members
• Reference validation and community feedback
• Secure messaging with moderation
• Emergency contact systems
• Incident reporting and response

Remember: You're not connecting with strangers — you're building relationships with people you choose to trust.

All care providers go through our comprehensive verification process:

• Criminal background checks at national and local levels
• Sex offender registry screening
• Reference validation with previous families
• Identity verification with government-issued ID
• Driving record checks for transportation providers

Families can also request additional screening based on their comfort level. We believe in transparency — you'll know exactly what checks have been completed for each caregiver.

We have comprehensive emergency procedures in place:

Our Emergency Response Team:

• Immediate incident response within minutes
• Coordination with local authorities when needed
• Family notification and support
• Follow-up and incident investigation
• Community safety alerts if necessary

Our review system is designed for authenticity and trust:

• Verified Reviews Only: Only families who have actually used a caregiver can leave reviews
• Two-Way Reviews: Both families and caregivers review each other
• Detailed Feedback: Reviews cover specific areas like reliability, communication, and child engagement
• Recent Activity: We prioritize recent reviews and update profiles regularly
• Fraud Detection: Advanced systems detect fake or manipulated reviews

We also encourage families to conduct their own interviews and reference checks. Reviews are just one tool in your decision-making process.

🧩 Planned Monetization Ideas

We're exploring these concepts based on community feedback:

🔮 Potential Subscription Tiers (Under Consideration)

Likely freemium model with optional upgrades:

Tier	Price	Features
Free	$0	Basic access, find/post care swaps, join events
Village+	~$8–15/month	Verified profiles, faster match notifications, scheduling tools
Village Pro	~$20–30/month	Premium filters, concierge match help, exclusive groups or events

🤝 Community Input Welcomed!

We're committed to building pricing that serves our community. Your feedback shapes our decisions!

Absolutely no hidden fees, ever. We believe in complete transparency:

💡 Our Approach:

• Community First: We prioritize building relationships over extracting fees
• Transparent Development: Any future pricing will be discussed openly with the community
• Value-Based: If we introduce paid features, they'll provide clear value and remain optional
• No Platform Tax: Direct payments between families and caregivers stay direct

🤝 Optional Services (Future Considerations):

If we introduce these, they'll be completely optional and transparently priced:

• Premium background verification services
• Advanced scheduling and coordination tools
• Specialized matching and concierge services
• Enhanced community features and events

All potential pricing will be clearly communicated well in advance, with grandfathered benefits for early community members.

Absolutely! Many families use Opeari to enhance their existing care arrangements:

• Nanny Sharing: Split costs with another family part-time
• Care Swaps: Organize care exchanges on your nanny's off days
• Backup Care: Find reliable help when your regular caregiver isn't available
• Community Support: Connect with other families for playdates and mutual support
• Emergency Coverage: Have trusted backup options ready

Your existing nanny can also join the platform to connect with other families in the community, potentially creating additional income opportunities.

Payments between families and caregivers are handled directly - no platform fees:

We Provide:

• Rate guidance based on local standards
• Contract templates for clear agreements
• Tax documentation assistance
• Dispute resolution support if needed

Important: Remember that tax obligations may apply for both families and caregivers. We recommend consulting with a tax professional for guidance specific to your situation.

Absolutely not! There's no requirement to provide care to participate in our community.

Many members join to:

• Find trusted caregivers for their own families
• Connect with other parents for support and advice
• Access community resources and events
• Build relationships in their neighborhood
• Share experiences and recommendations

The beauty of Opeari is that everyone contributes in their own way - whether that's offering care, sharing resources, providing recommendations, or simply being part of something human and connected.

Perfect! That's exactly who we built this for. Opeari is designed for real life:

• Freelancers and Consultants: Match your variable schedule with flexible caregivers
• Shift Workers: Find care that works with nights, weekends, and rotating schedules
• Travel Workers: Connect with families for care swaps when you're in town
• Part-time Workers: Share care arrangements that fit your specific days
• Entrepreneurs: Build flexible care networks for unpredictable schedules

Opeari works wherever people care for kids. Even just one match can make a huge difference.

What makes it work:

• Quality over Quantity: You only need a few good connections
• Local Focus: We help you find people actually near you
• Community Building: Every member helps grow the local network
• Neighborhood Reach: Sometimes the perfect helper lives just down the street

Join our waitlist and help us understand the need in your area. The more interest we see, the faster we can launch and support your local community.

Building trust takes time, but our platform provides several tools to help:

Start Small:

• Begin with short playdates or coffee meetings
• Attend community events together
• Start with care swaps before longer arrangements
• Include your children in initial meetings

Build Your Profile:

• Share detailed information about your family
• Include photos and references
• Complete verification processes
• Engage in community discussions

Caregivers can join through our waitlist or by invitation from families. Here's the process:

Who We Welcome:

• Professional nannies and babysitters
• Retired educators and childcare workers
• College students with childcare experience
• Au pairs and international caregivers
• Parents who want to offer care exchanges
• Experienced neighbors and community members

We welcome all types of caring people! Experience levels and backgrounds vary, but everyone shares a commitment to child safety and family support.

Professional Caregivers:

• Licensed childcare providers
• Certified nannies and babysitters
• Former teachers and educators
• Childcare center staff
• Pediatric nurses or healthcare workers

Community Caregivers:

• Experienced parents willing to help
• Grandparents and family friends
• College students studying education or child development
• Responsible teenagers with babysitting experience
• Neighbors who love working with children

Earning potential varies based on experience, location, and type of care provided. We provide market rate guidance to ensure fair compensation.

Factors That Influence Rates:

• Years of experience and qualifications
• Number of children and their ages
• Additional responsibilities (cooking, driving, etc.)
• Time of day and days of the week
• Length and consistency of arrangement

Benefits Beyond Hourly Pay:

• Flexible scheduling that fits your life
• Long-term relationships with families
• Opportunities for professional development
• Access to a supportive caregiver community

We're committed to supporting caregivers throughout their journey with Opeari:

Professional Development:

• Monthly training workshops and webinars
• CPR and First Aid certification assistance
• Child development and safety training
• Professional networking opportunities

Business Support:

• Help setting appropriate rates
• Contract templates and legal guidance
• Tax documentation and record-keeping tools
• Marketing and profile optimization tips

Community & Wellness:

• Caregiver support groups and forums
• Mental health and wellness resources
• Backup care when you need time off
• Recognition and appreciation programs

As a family using childcare services, you have several important legal considerations:

We Recommend:

• Consulting with a tax professional for guidance
• Reviewing your homeowner's/renter's insurance policy
• Understanding your state's household employee laws
• Using written agreements for all care arrangements

Opeari's Role: We provide educational resources and contract templates, but we are not a legal or tax advisor. Professional consultation is always recommended.

We have a comprehensive dispute resolution process designed to resolve issues fairly and quickly:

Types of Support We Provide:

• Communication facilitation
• Contract interpretation assistance
• Community standards guidance
• Safety concern investigation
• Resolution documentation

Escalation for Serious Issues:

• Safety concerns are handled immediately
• Legal matters may require external consultation
• Community violations can result in platform removal

Your privacy is fundamental to our mission. We handle your family's data with the same care we'd want for our own.

What We Collect:

• Contact information and location (for matching)
• Family details and care needs (for safety)
• Background check results (for safety verification)
• Communication records (for dispute resolution)

Your Rights:

• Access all your data at any time
• Correct inaccurate information
• Delete your account and data
• Control who sees what information

For complete details, please review our Privacy Policy.

Our terms are written in plain English because we believe legal documents should be understandable.

Platform Responsibilities:

• Maintain a safe, functional platform
• Conduct background checks and verification
• Provide customer support and dispute resolution
• Protect your privacy and data

User Responsibilities:

• Provide accurate information in your profile
• Conduct your own interviews and reference checks
• Follow all applicable laws and regulations
• Treat all community members respectfully

Read our complete Terms of Service for full details.