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
- We cover your $54.99 background check — no cost to you
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 pay a one-time background check fee to get started, then nothing ever again. No booking fees, no commissions, no surprises.
For Families
Browse vetted, background-checked Villagers in your neighborhood. Pay them directly - we never take a cut.
- Browse unlimited Villager profiles
- Send unlimited messages
- Save favorite Villagers
- All Villagers Checkr background-checked
- All Villagers manually verified
- No booking fees or commissions
- Cancel anytime
For Villagers
Pay once to get verified, then share your profile and keep every dollar you earn - forever.
then $0/month, forever
- Checkr Essential background check (included in your $54.99)
- Create and publish your Villager profile
- Receive unlimited messages from families
- Set your own rates and schedule
- Keep 100% of what you earn - no commissions
- No monthly fees, no renewals, no surprises
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 | Included — every Villager | 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. You agree on rates and payment methods together.
What exactly does the $54.99 Villager fee cover?
It covers your Checkr Essential background check, which includes: SSN Trace, County Criminal Search (Last 7 Years), National Criminal Search (Standard), Sex Offender Search, and Global Watchlist Search. It's a one-time fee - no renewals, no monthly charges after that. Once you're verified and approved, your profile stays live at no cost. Founding Villagers on the platform receive this check free.
What does the background check include?
All Villagers must complete a Checkr Essential background check before their profile goes live. Every Villager is also manually reviewed and verified by our team. Families can always see a Villager's verified badge, so they know exactly who they're working with.
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 and the one-time Villager background check fee.
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!