Find local help
Browse babysitters, family services and community offers by category and area.
The app in real life
One place for the people and answers around you
RaisingAmsterdam combines the practical parts of settling into family life with a local community you can actually contact.
Decode the system
Start with clear guides, then check important details with the official source.
Ask when plans collapse
Members can post an urgent sitter request; nearby helpers can respond on WhatsApp.
Built for local family life
Four useful doors into Amsterdam
Not another global parenting feed. Every part of RaisingAmsterdam is designed around the city where you live.
01
Babysitters and family services nearby
Browse community listings without paying first. See the area, languages, availability, age experience and details the provider chooses to share.
- Filter babysitters, services and community offers
- Look for language, area and age-group fit
- Read community reviews where available
- Members can open a direct WhatsApp conversation
- Anyone can offer babysitting or a family service by posting a listing for free
02
An SOS board for last-minute sitter gaps
When a regular sitter cancels or plans change, members can post a short urgent request instead of messaging ten separate groups.
- Add the date, time, Amsterdam area and practical details
- The post remains visible only for the relevant period
- Helpers can reach the family through WhatsApp
- Optional browser notifications can alert signed-in users to new requests
- The board is for sitter help, not medical or emergency assistance
03
Meet parents without making it awkward
Post a coffee, walk or playdate, or simply introduce yourself so nearby families know who would like to connect.
- Create a dated meetup for a coffee, park walk or playdate
- Post a simple introduction when you do not have a plan yet
- Share your neighbourhood and the languages you speak
- Continue privately on WhatsApp when both sides choose to
- Meetups and introductions remain part of the free community area
04
The Dutch system, translated into first steps
Plain-English starting guides help international parents understand what to look up next without pretending to replace official information.
- Children's healthcare, huisarts, JGZ and having a baby
- Childcare, daycare, toeslag and Amsterdam primary schools
- Child and baby first aid, swimming and the zwemdiploma
- Links to relevant official or specialist sources inside the guides
- Rules and costs can change, so important decisions should always be checked at source
Start free, unlock only when useful
See the community before you pay
RaisingAmsterdam keeps discovery open and charges once for the features that create direct access.
Always free
- Create an account and browse listings
- Read available reviews
- Use all Dutch-system Guides
- Read and post on the Meet board
- Post your own babysitting or service listing
- Browse the SOS board and help a family
One-time membership
€24.95 once
- Contact babysitters and family services directly on WhatsApp
- Post urgent sitter SOS requests
- Use those member features without a monthly fee
- Support a small, ad-free local community
Gumroad shows the final total, including any applicable local tax, before payment.
Community with clear boundaries
A connection tool, not an agency
RaisingAmsterdam helps people find one another. It does not replace the checks and judgement that safe childcare requires.
Check identity, references, experience, availability and suitability before arranging care. A profile or review is not a guarantee.
The SOS board is for urgent babysitting needs and cannot guarantee a response. Use official emergency services for real emergencies.
They simplify the first search, but they are not official, legal, medical or insurance advice. Always confirm decisions at the source.
Simple access
From curious to connected
Open and look around
Browse the public app, read Guides and see whether the local community is relevant to your family.
Join for free
Create an account when you want to post, meet parents, save your profile or turn on available alerts.
Unlock contact if needed
Buy one-time membership through Gumroad, paste the access key in the app and contact providers directly.
Not sure how Dutch your parent life has become?
Keep the useful two-minute Amsterdam parent quiz — now as a separate, playful extra.
A good fit?
Made for local connection, not anonymous scrolling
RaisingAmsterdam may be for you if…
- You live in or around Amsterdam with children.
- You are new to the Dutch family system or still have practical questions.
- You want to find local babysitters, services or parent contact.
- You prefer direct communication over another booking platform.
- You are comfortable using English as the shared community language.
It is not the right tool if…
- You live outside the Amsterdam area.
- You need an employment agency that vets and places childcare staff.
- You need guaranteed last-minute childcare.
- You need emergency, medical or official government advice.
- You do not want to arrange final details directly with another person.
English community, Dutch context
The current app interface and Guides use plain English so international families share one working language. Listings can show Dutch and other languages, and this product information is available in English and Dutch.
One payment · no subscription
Start free. Unlock contact when it matters.
€24.95
One-time RaisingAmsterdam membership for direct WhatsApp contact and posting urgent sitter SOS requests.
Payment and digital delivery are handled by Gumroad. The final amount, including any applicable local tax, is shown before payment.
Quick answers
Before you join
Is RaisingAmsterdam only for Amsterdam?
Yes. It currently focuses on families, babysitters and family services in and around Amsterdam.
What can I use for free?
You can join, browse listings and reviews, read the Guides, use the Meet board, post your own listing and browse or respond to SOS requests without buying membership.
What does membership unlock?
Direct WhatsApp contact with babysitters and local services, plus the ability to post urgent sitter SOS requests.
Is it a subscription?
No. Membership costs €24.95 once. Gumroad shows the final amount including any applicable tax before payment.
Does RaisingAmsterdam verify babysitters?
No. RaisingAmsterdam is a community connection platform, not an employment agency. Always check identity, references, experience and suitability yourself before arranging childcare.
Is the SOS board an emergency service?
No. It is for urgent babysitting requests and cannot guarantee a response. Call 112 for a real emergency.
Which language does the app use?
The current interface and Guides use English as the shared language for the international community. Profiles can list Dutch and other languages, and this product information is available in English and Dutch.
Does it work like a normal app?
It is a web app that works in a modern browser on phones and computers. You can add it to your phone's home screen for app-like access. An internet connection is needed.
Made in Amsterdam
Created by Juf Zdeni
Juf Zdeni is an early childhood educator and mother who has worked with young children in Amsterdam since 2001. RaisingAmsterdam grew from seeing how much local knowledge and human contact international parents have to piece together alone. Meet Juf Zdeni →