Sunshine Sitters — Trusted Babysitting on the Gulf Coast & Tampa Bay

Three boys in Sunshine Sitters shirts enjoying a day at the beach in St. Petersburg, Florida
Group of children at a Tampa Bay area baseball event with Sunshine Sitters
Children enjoying a swim lesson at a pool in St. Petersburg, Florida — Sunshine Sitters childcare
Looking for Help this Fall and during the Holidays?LEARN MORE HERE!

Trusted Babysitters & Nannies in St. Petersburg and Tampa Bay

Whether it's date nights, consistent weekly care, or vacation babysitting — we have a personally interviewed, CPR-certified sitter ready for your family.

★800+ Local Families Registered
★145+ Amazing Sitters
★CPR Certified & Background Screened
★Founded by a Local Mom

How We Can Help Your Family

Serving families across St. Petersburg, Tampa, Treasure Island, and the entire Gulf Coast — whatever your family needs, we have a sitter for that.

Babysitting & Date Nights

St. Petersburg parents deserve a night out! Our personally interviewed sitters are ready for last-minute date nights, evening events, and weekend getaways so you can relax knowing your little ones are in great hands.

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Consistent Weekly Childcare

Need reliable care every Tuesday and Thursday? We match Tampa Bay families with sitters who fit your recurring schedule — giving your children a familiar, trusted face week after week.

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Nanny Placement

Looking for something more permanent? We help St. Petersburg and Tampa families find experienced nannies who align with your parenting style, schedule, and family values for long-term care.

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Vacation & Hotel Babysitting

Visiting Treasure Island or St. Pete Beach? Our sitters come right to your hotel or vacation rental so the whole family can enjoy the Gulf Coast — kids included, stress not.

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Mother's Helper

Need an extra set of hands while you're home? A Sunshine Sitter can entertain the kids, help with pickups, or assist with household tasks — giving Tampa Bay moms the breathing room they deserve.

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Pet Sitting & Dog Walking

Your pets are family too. Our background-screened sitters offer in-home pet sitting and dog walking across Pinellas County and Tampa Bay — the same trusted team you rely on for your kids.

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House Sitting & House Management

Heading out of town? We'll keep an eye on your home, collect mail, water plants, and make sure everything is exactly as you left it — so you can travel with total peace of mind.

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Tutoring & Homework Help

From reading and math to test prep, our Sunshine Tutors make learning fun and effective for students across St. Petersburg and Tampa Bay. Flexible scheduling, in-home sessions available.

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Welcome to Sunshine Sitters

Parents browsing Sunshine Sitters app on laptop

Our Sunshine Mission

Sunshine Sitters is a locally founded (by a mom just like you!) babysitting referral company dedicated to connecting families with experienced, trustworthy, and caring sitters, nannies, and tutors. Our team is passionate about creating safe, fun, and nurturing experiences for children — whether it’s for a few hours, regular care, or ongoing family support. At Sunshine Sitters, our goal is simple: to make life easier for families while building meaningful, dependable connections you can truly trust. Whether you need help with date nights, daytime care, vacations, or consistent childcare support, we’re here to help match your family with the perfect sitter for your needs.

Take me to your Sitters!

Meet Our Mom

Meet the Simm Family — and our incredible
founding mom, Kara!

Kara keeps so many wheels turning — not just within her own busy family, but throughout our community and here at Sunshine Sitters too. With a heart for helping others and a passion for supporting families, Kara has built a trusted childcare network that brings peace of mind to parents and meaningful opportunities to sitters across our community.

Sunshine Sitters was actually founded from personal necessity after Kara and her family moved to Treasure Island. As a mom herself, she quickly realized there was a major need for trusted, reliable childcare — not only for local families, but also for families visiting our beaches, families new to the area without nearby support systems, and parents needing consistent nanny and everyday childcare help.

What began as a solution for her own family quickly grew into something much bigger — a supportive community dedicated to helping families feel cared for, connected, and supported.

Her dedication, leadership, and ability to connect people are at the center of everything we do. Whether she's balancing family life with grace, supporting local families, or helping Sunshine Sitters continue to grow, Kara leads with kindness, vision, and an unwavering commitment to making life a little easier for others.

Kara Simm and family — founder of Sunshine Sitters babysitting service in Treasure Island, Florida
Dogs enjoying the outdoors — Sunshine Sitters also offers pet sitting and dog walking in St. Petersburg and Tampa Bay

Did you know we offer more than just childcare?

Find out More about Pet Care!

Learn About Sunshine Sitters

Sunshine Sitters babysitter providing quality childcare for children in St. Petersburg, Florida

Quality Care

At Sunshine Sitters, we provide high-quality child care services including babysitting, education, and fun. Our experienced sitters are dedicated to ensuring your child's well-being and happiness.

Sunshine Sitters family gathering in St. Petersburg — flexible babysitting scheduling for Tampa Bay families

Flexible Scheduling

We understand that every family has different needs, which is why we offer flexible scheduling options to fit your busy lifestyle. Whether you need part-time, full-time, or occasional care, we have a program that works for you.

CPR-certified Sunshine Sitters babysitter ensuring a safe environment for children in Tampa Bay

Safe Environment

At Sunshine Sitters, we take the safety of your child very seriously. Our sitters are fully screened, CPR certified, and thoroughly trained to ensure your child is always in good hands.

Happy kids smiling

Affordable Prices

We believe that high-quality childcare should be accessible to all families, which is why we offer competitive pricing that fits your budget.

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers for St. Petersburg and Tampa Bay families

How much does a babysitter cost in St. Petersburg?

Our sitters range from $19–$30 per hour depending on the size of your family, plus a $5–6 booking fee per booking (waived for members). Your total is confirmed before you book — no surprises.

Are your sitters background checked?

Yes. Every Sunshine Sitter is local, personally interviewed by our team, CPR certified, and background screened before they ever meet your family.

Do you offer pet sitting?

We do! We offer in-home pet sitting and dog walking across Pinellas County and Tampa Bay, from the same trusted, background-screened team you rely on for childcare.

Do you provide hotel babysitting for visitors?

Absolutely — it's one of our specialties. Our sitters come right to your hotel or vacation rental across Treasure Island, St. Pete Beach, Clearwater Beach, and the greater Tampa Bay area.

How do I book a sitter?

Register your family for free, then book a sitter directly through our app or post your need to our job board and choose from the sitters who apply. Registration takes just a few minutes.

Get in Touch

Select a tab below — looking to book a sitter, or interested in joining our team?

Ready to Book a Sitter?

We have made it easy! Just download our App and create a profile. Still have questions about booking our services? Fill out the form below and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Sunshine Sitters

hello@sunshinesittersplay.com

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