“GetSidekicks is life-changing. With us moving every year or two in support of my husband’s position it makes this [childcare] piece of the PCS transition difficult. GetSidekicks takes a lot of the worry and stress out when I can go to the site to read about the providers and then schedule an interview before I welcome someone who may not be ‘the one’ into our home.
Katy
GetSidekicks has been making waves in the military family community, and it’s quickly becoming a game-changer for those seeking reliable, military-affiliated child care. As the company expands, they’re looking for their next location. Read on to learn more about how to request GetSidekicks for your area!
What is GetSidekicks?
Imagine a world where instead of rebuilding your support network with every life change, you could instantly plug into a community of vetted and verified service providers that want to help and understand the military lifestyle. That is the future that GetSidekicks is building: an instant support network for military families.
The platform’s mission is to build a global network of military-affiliated service providers — starting with child care. While GetSidekicks is currently focused on serving specific locations, the goal is to eventually support families wherever they are stationed, both CONUS and OCONUS. Today, GetSidekicks helps you build a “Care Squad,” a trusted group of service providers ready to assist you, no matter what military life throws your way.
With direct access to each Sidekick’s calendar, scheduling child care is hassle-free. You can even select a backup provider in case your first choice isn’t available, ensuring you always have reliable child care.
“[GetSidekicks] is a lifeline when my husband does his Reserve time.”
R.M.
How GetSidekicks Serves Military Families
Life in the military can be unpredictable, and finding flexible and reliable child care is a top concern for many families. Here’s how GetSidekicks stands out from other child care options:
Trusted, Vetted Care Providers
At GetSidekicks, trust and safety are paramount. Each Sidekick undergoes rigorous vetting, including background checks and a 30-minute video interview. By the time a Sidekick’s profile goes live, military families can trust they are accessing reliable, qualified caregivers, saving time and reducing the stress that typically comes with finding and managing child care.
A Military-Affiliated Community
The platform connects military parents with Sidekicks who truly understand the military lifestyle — because they’ve lived it. Most Sidekicks are AD spouses or female veterans, but they could also be retired service members, off-duty military personnel, or even college students who have parents serving in the Armed Forces. They understand the unpredictability and demands of military life, and their personal experiences help build trust and rapport with families. All Sidekicks (seriously, 100% of them) have their military affiliation verified.
Saves You Money
Seventy percent of Sidekicks offer hourly rates lower than those typically found in the civilian market, making child care more affordable for military families. Additionally, 90 percent of Sidekicks have expressed willingness to help a family in need for free during emergencies, further highlighting their commitment to supporting the military community.
How GetSidekicks Operates and Supports Its Community
GetSidekicks operates on a monthly membership fee, providing families with ongoing access to a trusted network of Sidekicks. The membership includes convenient tools for scheduling, booking, secure messaging, and more. Unlike a one-and-done directory, GetSidekicks offers a dynamic platform where you can build a Care Squad and access child care whenever and wherever you need it.
In the future, GetSidekicks plans to expand beyond child care, making the platform a one-stop resource for military families to access other essential services, including household support. Imagine a place where you can find the trusted services you need, all in one app.
How can you get involved? Join the Launch List & Spread the Word
Join the Launch List:
Excited about GetSidekicks? The team is currently identifying their next installation for launch. If you want GetSidekicks to come to your installation, VOTE HERE.
Spread the Word:
Do you know other military families who could benefit from GetSidekicks, either by offering or using child care services? Share this post and the link to vote! Let’s come together as a community and make GetSidekicks a resource for all military families.
How to Join:
For those of you currently in Joint Base Lewis McChord and the surrounding area, you’re in luck! The company is already serving families in your area. You can click HERE to sign up. For those of you who are based elsewhere, don’t forget to VOTE HERE to help GetSidekicks prioritize your installation.
“[Get]Sidekicks, for me, has been eye-opening in many ways. As a military mom myself, I have struggled to find work when my active duty spouse is gone or working long hours. Not having family around and always moving makes it hard to find support and not a lot of people understand the toll this life takes. Through [Get]Sidekicks, I’ve met moms from all walks of life with newborn babies to resilient elementary-age children. From moms who need care for her little one because she’s about to go into labor and doesn’t know if her family can get there soon enough, or a mom trying to rejoin the workforce or continue her job when her husband is gone, or just trying to take care of herself with a doctors appointment or just trying to finally get some time alone. I see myself in every mom I meet, and they continue to amaze me with their courage and strength in being a military spouse. I am honored to be part of such a strong community – helping moms find their ‘squad’ so that they’re not alone in a lifestyle that oftentimes feels very lonely. It is the first time I’ve thought, where can I sign up as a mom myself!“
– Tanya, Sidekick at JBLM
