Questions parents ask
Who actually looks after my child?
Another parent from your group, in their own home. You are the guest family, they are the host. You choose which families you are willing to host with and which you will send your child to. KidsHost does not supervise, vet or employ anyone.
Do you check the other parents?
No. The trust is the community you are already part of — parents you know from your child’s school, club or the playground. KidsHost helps you find who is free; it does not stand in for knowing the people you leave your child with.
How do the hours work?
One hour of hosting earns one credit, and you spend one for each hour of cover you use. Slots are two hours, so a playdate is two credits either way. Every family joins with three, so you can ask for help before you have hosted anyone.
Do I have to pay the family back myself?
No, and that is the point. The hour you give to one family comes back to you from any family in your group. You never have to settle up with the person who helped you.
What if I run out of credits?
Host an hour and you have one again. There is no way to buy credits and no money changes hands at any point.
Why two hours per child per day?
Cover through KidsHost is capped at two hours per child per day, counted across every host that day, not per booking. It keeps every exchange a short, informal favour between families rather than childcare. It applies to every child, whatever their age.
How do I use it?
Everything happens in WhatsApp. You message KidsHost when you need cover, it tells you who in your group is free, and you pick. When you can host, you tell it your hours and ages. No app to install.
Where does it work?
Richmond and Kingston to begin with: TW1, TW10, TW11, KT1 and KT2. Join the list above and we will text you when there is a host near you.
