Be part of something from the start.
We're in our first weeks. If you join now, you're not just a user - you're a founding member. We're saving our best perks for the people who believed in us first.
Founding Family
First 100 families
- Lock in founding rate forever
- "Founding Family" badge on your profile
- Priority access to new Villagers
- Direct line to our team
Founding Villager
First 20 spots
Be one of the first neighbors to join your village. Help shape how this community grows — and get a few perks along the way.
- "Founding Villager" badge on your profile — forever
- Featured placement so families find you first
- Early access to new features
- Help shape how Village Acres grows in your community
Founding rates are locked in for the life of your account. No surprises later.
Less than a cup of coffee a week.
Families pay a small flat rate. Villagers join free and keep everything they earn. No booking fees, no commissions, no surprises.
For Families
Browse vetted, personally reviewed Villagers in your neighborhood. Pay them directly - we never take a cut.
- Browse unlimited Villager profiles
- Send unlimited messages
- AI-generated message suggestions
- Build your Village of trusted caregivers with "My Village"
- All Villagers personally reviewed & approved by our team
- No fees or commissions · Cancel anytime
For Villagers
Join free, publish your profile, and keep every dollar you earn. Our team personally reviews every application.
No monthly fees. No commissions. Ever.
- Create and publish your Villager profile — free
- Personally reviewed & approved by our team
- Receive unlimited messages from families
- Set your own rates and schedule
- Keep 100% of what you earn — no commissions
- Optional: Checkr verification badge — $54.99 one-time
Not ready to sign up yet?
Browse real Villager profiles before committing. Use access code village2026 to unlock the preview.
How we compare
Village Acres vs. the alternatives
| Village Acres | Care.com | Sittercity | Facebook Groups | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost (families) | $5/mo | $19.99–$39.99/mo | $17–$30/mo | Free |
| Booking / platform fees | None | Up to 15% | None | None |
| Background checks | Optional badge ($54.99) | Extra cost, optional | Extra cost, optional | None |
| Profiles manually vetted | Yes — every profile | No | No | No |
| Service area | Palm Beach County | National database | National database | Local (unverified) |
| Caregiver keeps 100% | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Know who you're hiring | Verified identity + check | Self-reported | Self-reported | Profile photo only |
Care.com and Sittercity pricing as of 2025. Background check costs vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does payment work between families and Villagers?
Village Acres connects you, but payment is handled directly between families and Villagers. There are no booking fees or commissions. Some Villagers volunteer their time. Others may request compensation. Every arrangement is determined directly between families and Villagers based on the type of support being provided.
Does it cost anything to join as a Villager?
No — joining is free. Our team reviews and approves every Villager profile at no cost. Villagers who want to earn a Checkr background check badge can optionally pay a one-time $54.99 fee. That badge signals to families that you've passed a criminal, sex offender, and identity check. After that, there are no monthly fees or commissions - ever.
What does the optional Checkr badge include?
The Checkr Essential check includes: SSN Trace, County Criminal Search (Last 7 Years), National Criminal Search, Sex Offender Registry Search (all 50 states), and Global Watchlist Search. Every Villager is also manually reviewed by our team — zip code, location, social profiles, and profile authenticity - before being approved.
Why do families pay at all?
The flat $5/month covers operating costs and keeps us honest - no booking fees, no commissions, no incentive to extract money from either side. Unlike Care.com, which charges families up to $40/month and takes a cut from caregivers, Village Acres takes nothing beyond the flat family subscription.
Can I cancel my membership?
Yes - cancel anytime from your account settings, no questions asked. Your access continues until the end of the billing period you already paid for.
What areas do you serve?
We currently serve Palm Beach County, Florida. Sign up to be notified when we expand to new areas!