Mum prepares to launch childcare service after struggling to find help

An ambitious mum is preparing to launch a new childcare matching service after her own experience of trying to find trusted childcare inspired her to create a more personal approach for families.

Borrow A Village, which will launch first across Sheffield and Chesterfield, aims to make it easier for families to connect with babysitters, nannies and childcare professionals through a carefully matched service.

Founder Jen Bell came up with the idea after moving back to Derbyshire from New Zealand during the Covid pandemic with a three-month-old baby and a two-year-old son.

Like many parents, she turned to existing childcare websites and apps but found the experience overwhelming and impersonal. While there were national platforms available, she felt they placed much of the responsibility on parents to search through large numbers of profiles, compare qualifications and reviews, and decide who might be the right fit for their family.

Borrow A Village will introduce families to suitable childcare professionals based on their individual requirements, helping parents spend less time searching and more time feeling confident in their choice.

Every childcare professional accepted onto the platform will complete an enhanced DBS check, identity verification, reference checks and a video interview before joining the community, giving parents reassurance from the very beginning.

Borrow A Village is currently inviting both parents and experienced childcare professionals (including babysitters, nannies, teachers and teaching assistants, childcare students and day care employees) across Sheffield and Chesterfield to register their interest ahead of launch.

For more information or to register your interest, visit www.borrowavillage.co.uk.