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We chatted with the founders of Parenteam to learn more about this new childcare system that works on a points system with other families, creating free childcare options for families. We think it’s a pretty neat idea – and we thought you would, too!

What is Parenteam?
Parenteam is a new childcare alternative that connects families so that they can exchange high-quality free childcare and strengthen their support networks. Our tools help parents find other parents in their building, from their work and through tons of other affiliations and social media connections. The idea is to make childcare simple and free while simultaneously helping parents build a stronger community for their families.

How does it work exactly?
Once parents have signed up and created their Parenteam network of trusted friends, they can start exchanging childcare for free.

Instead of paying with cash, parents exchange childcare within their network using Parenteam Points. Everyone starts with 20 points upon signing up. When you request childcare from your friends, you spend points, and when you provide childcare for your friends, you earn points.

Why not just call my friends directly?  If I already exchange childcare with my friends, how would using your site benefit me? 
First off, many people feel awkward asking their friends for help (I know I did!). Parenteam removes that awkwardness – you already know your friends are interested in helping you because they are signed up on Parenteam. Secondly, the point system automatically keeps things fair so that no one feels like they are overburdening anyone else or being taken advantage of. Lastly, convenience! Instead of having to go through your contacts asking for help one friend at a time (and putting them on the spot), Parenteam lets you notify all of your friends with one quick click of a button, and lets you see when your friends need help directly from your dashboard.

So it’s a bit like an old-fashioned parenting co-op?
Parenteam is based on some of the principals behind traditional co-ops, such as using tickets (points) to exchange free childcare, but with major modern day improvements and enhancements. Our advanced technology makes Parenteam much simpler and more flexible for users than a traditional co-op. Users are not bound to using their points to exchange childcare within one specific group of people- instead, they build their own personal networks and can exchange childcare with whomever they want.  It’s up to the individuals to decide who they want to add to their network.  And unlike a traditional parenting co-op, everything from scheduling childcare to exchanging points is totally automated and hassle-free. When you need childcare, you simply press a button and all of your friends are notified immediately and exchanges can be scheduled and tracked on the go. Likewise, if a friend needs childcare, you’ll automatically be notified.

Is it safe to use Parenteam?
Absolutely! As a fellow mom, I take safety extremely seriously and have made it Parenteam’s top priority. With Parenteam you’re exchanging childcare with people you already know and trust, so it’s much safer than other websits which connect you with strangers to babysit your children. While we provide tools to make it easy to find fellow parents you may potentially already know, it is ultimately up to you if you want to add them to your trusted network.

How did you come up with Parenteam?
That’s an easy one – I needed it, wished it existed, realize it didn’t, and so decided to build it myself.  When I came up with the idea, I was a newly-single mom without a support network and had no family around to help me, even for a quick break.  Childcare was too expensive and it was a very stressful, lonely experience.  I had babysitters asking for up to $30/hr, money for their dinners, and taxi rides home – I simply couldn’t afford it.  In my apartment building alone, there were so many families that I could have befriended and reached out to for support (and supported in return), but it felt too invasive and awkward to approach them.  I wanted a way to make new parent friends while also making childcare more affordable for not just myself, but everyone.  Most importantly, I hated the idea of leaving my daughter with babysitters who were strangers, and much preferred the idea of having other trusted families watch her so that she would essentially be on an engaging playdate with friends instead of being left home alone in front of the TV.

What is it about having created Parenteam that you find most fulfilling?
Parenteam’s platform has already helped so many families find affordable childcare and build better communities for their children, and it has the potential to help so many more. Every time a couple can afford a date night because they can get childcare for free, every time a single parent can afford to reenter the workforce without childcare costs eating away at his/her salary, or every time families create an encouraging and friendly support system that they may not have realized was available to them, I know all the work we’ve put into building Parenteam was worthwhile.  

Find Parenteam online:
Twitter: parenteamcares
Facebook: parenteam
Instagram: parenteam_official