Safety and trust

Safety isn't a feature. It's the whole job.

Little Break was founded by a licensed childcare operator, and we hold every sitter to the standards we'd expect in a licensed childcare room. Here's exactly what that means.

Illustration of a Little Break sitter with an ID badge and a completed checklist

How we vet sitters

Six steps before a first sit. Checks that keep going after.

  1. 01ApplicationChildcare experience, the tier they're applying for, and availability.
  2. 02First aid firstA current Standard First Aid with CPR (infant and child) certificate, checked before training even starts.
  3. 03Little Break trainingAbout 6 hours across nine modules, plus a live session with our team.
  4. 04Police check and referencesA police information check with vulnerable sector search, and two childcare references checked by phone.
  5. 05Interview and scenario checkA video interview, then real-life scenarios: a choking child, an unexpected pickup, a worrying disclosure. Miss a critical step and they don't start.
  6. 06Ongoing standardsChecks and certificates renewed on schedule, a yearly refresher, and ratings reviewed after every sit.

What every sitter is trained in

On top of their first aid certification.

Supervision and home safety Emergencies and incident reports Allergies, epinephrine and medication Ages and stages Routines and positive guidance Safeguarding and child protection Professionalism and privacy The app and Little Reports Add-ons: infant safe sleep, Night Care, Sick Day care, additional needs, group events

On every sit

A safety walkthrough on arrivalExits, first aid kit, medications, stairs, water and anything off limits, before you leave.
Only your approved adultsKids are released only to adults you've named in the app. Anyone else, we call you.
Check-in and check-outYou know when your sitter arrives and leaves, with a note at the end of every sit.
Allergies and medication, your wayMedication is only given with your written instructions in the app, and logged.
Safe sleep, alwaysBabies on their backs in their own crib or bassinet, every time. Night Care sitters stay awake all night.
Phones awayUsed for emergencies, messages with you and Little Reports. Otherwise, eyes on your kids.

If something goes wrong

Every sitter follows the same emergency order, every time:

  1. Make your child safe.
  2. Call 911 if it's serious or they're unsure.
  3. Call you.
  4. Tell Little Break.
  5. Write an incident report before the sit ends.

Our team is reachable 24/7 for sitters and families during every sit.

Child protection

Every sitter is trained in safeguarding, including the duty under Alberta law to report any concern that a child is at risk. Sitters keep professional boundaries: no secrets with children, no private messaging or social media with kids, and help with bathing or toileting only as your child's age needs and you've asked.

Anyone, family or sitter, can raise a concern any time with the Report a safety concern button in the app. It goes straight to our team, never into a star rating.

Your family's privacy

Photos stay in the appOnly if you opt in, never on a sitter's personal phone or social media, and never used in our marketing without your separate written consent.
Details shared only when neededYour address and family profile go only to the sitter who picks up your booking.
Smart tools, human careWe use technology to help with matching and reports, but people make every trust decision. Children's photos are never used for facial recognition.
Alberta privacy lawWe follow Alberta's Personal Information Protection Act. Read our privacy policy.

Two-way ratings that keep standards high

After every sit, you rate your sitter and your sitter rates the sit. Ratings stay hidden until both are in, so everyone can be honest. A low rating means a conversation with our team, and sitters who don't meet our standards don't stay on Little Break.

Insured

Little Break carries comprehensive liability insurance, and every sit booked through us is covered. Proof of insurance is available on request.

Calgary owned and operated

A local team you can actually reach.

Ask us anything

Questions about safety?

We'd rather you asked. Talk to a real person on our Calgary team, or book knowing exactly who's walking through your door.

Book a sitter Talk to our team

Every sitter, before a first sit

1Police checkIncluding a vulnerable sector search
2First aid and CPRInfant and child, kept current
3Interview and referencesTwo references, checked by phone
4Little Break trainingSafety, emergencies, allergies and safeguarding