Bubble was created by parents, for parents, and trust and safety as well as transparency about our service is of paramount importance to us.
The Bubble app is not a nanny agency, but a marketplace, with the aim of giving all of us as parents the ability to make informed choices about childcare options.
So what do we do?
Every sitter on Bubble goes through a multi-step onboarding process before their profile is approved and visible to parents. Here's exactly what that involves:
1. Identity check Every sitter must upload a copy of their passport or ID, a photo of themselves, and a photo showing both in the same frame. This is reviewed manually by the Bubble team.
2. Right-to-work check Sitters who don't hold a UK or Irish passport must also provide a Right to Work share code, confirming they're eligible to work self-employed in the UK.
3. Two character references/ recommendations Sitters must submit two written character references from a colleague, employer, or educator before their account can be approved. If they have been live on Bubble for over five years, we also accept two verified positive reviews from Bubble parents. Friends and family members are not accepted as referees.
4. Online background check Before any account goes live, Bubble runs an online background check through our partner Comply Advantage. This cross-references the sitter's name against criminal watchlists and scans millions of published articles for adverse media. This is separate from a DBS check - see below.
DBS / PVG verification
A DBS certificate is not required to join Bubble, but many sitters do hold one. Sitters can submit their certificate to Bubble for verification, and if approved, a verified DBS badge will appear on their profile showing the date of issue. You can also see the type of check (Basic, Standard or Enhanced). Sitters can also apply for an Enhanced DBS directly through Bubble via our partner Verifile.
If a sitter's DBS has not been verified by Bubble, their profile will say so clearly, and you're always welcome to ask them to bring their certificate to a sit.
If a valid certificate contains any record, disclosure, or notice, we reserve the right to decline the DBS and/ or remove the sitter from the platform.
Once a sitter is live: tools to help you choose with confidence
Beyond our vetting process, Bubble gives you the information you need to make the right choice for your family:
Reviews from other parents - visible on every sitter's profile. You can also message those parents in-app if you'd like to ask questions directly.
Mutual connections - you can see whether you have any shared connections with a sitter, by heading to Friends & connections in the Account menu. Here you can review Friends from your phone contacts, Parents who have children at your child's school or nursery, and employees at your workplace. You can browse the sitters those connections have booked before.
Report profile - if anything gives you cause for concern, use the Report profile button at the bottom of any sitter's profile to notify the Bubble team immediately.
We hope the above makes it very clear how we approach the subject of trust but, of course, if you’ve any further questions don’t hesitate to drop us a line at support@joinbubble.com, or through our in-app live chat.
Want to find a trusted babysitter? Download Bubble for FREE here.