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Seattle app, ‘Poppy,' offers babysitters for parents

Photos from Poppy's website.

SEATTLE — So much to do, so little time. That's the story of Nelle Reichert's life.

She’s a stay at home mom of two.

So, when she needs a babysitter she's doesn't want to waste her time.

“I was so sick of chasing down high schoolers, and people who would flake out on me,” Reichert said.

From one mom to another, Avni Patel Thompson knows what it’s like to be left in the lurch.

“There was an important Saturday night event we needed to go to and I just completely blanked on getting a sitter,” Thompson explained.

Thompson, also a mother of two, scrambled at the last minute.

“I realized how inefficient it is for each family trying to find own people on their own,” she added.

So, last year she came up with an on-demand child care app called "Poppy."

It is being described as the "Uber” for babysitting where you can arrange for more regular care a few days in advance or call for a sitter at the very last minute.

But with Uber, you can't pick your driver.

Thompson said where the similarities end.

She says you get to know a team of babysitters that have been matched for you and your family.

She knows it's not easy to trust someone with your little one, which is why she says their caregivers go through a rigorous seven-step vetting process which includes having at least five years of child care experience and passing a background check.

That's been the biggest time-saver for Reichert.

“Basically if I need a sitter, I can text Poppy on my own,” Reichert said.

“Why parents love us is that instead of sending five different texts and waiting days, you just send one text and it’s done,” Thompson said.

Poppy matches parents with caregivers in their neighborhood.

It's already available in Seattle neighborhoods from Queen Anne to Madison Park to Mt Baker, and just launched on the Eastside.

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