On-demand childcare at licensed centers
Childcare for the days you need. Booked in minutes, right in the app.
More than a directory, DropIn shows real-time openings and clear pricing at licensed centers near you. Book and pay instantly in the app for a full day, a half day, or an evening, with no monthly contracts and no enrollment fees. Pay only for the care you need.
Book from your phone: get the DropIn app
Book instantly at fully licensed centers you can trust.
Every DropIn booking happens inside a real, state-licensed child care center, with the staffing ratios and facility standards that licensing requires.
State-inspected facilities
Every center holds a state license, verified against the official registry, with inspection records on file.
Professional staff, real ratios
Trained caregivers working within state-mandated adult-to-child ratios, all day, every day.
A classroom, not a couch
Structured activities, learning materials, and other kids to play with. Your child joins a day, not a waiting room.
A window into the day
Check-in confirmations, photos, meals, and naps, logged in the app as they happen.
Full-time standards. Part-time flexibility. Pay only for what you need.
Licensed quality care, usually for less than a sitter.
Sitters charge hourly per child with no guaranteed backup or license. Licensed centers price by the session, and the savings add up fast.
A babysitter's afternoon
Hourly, per child, in your home
A DropIn day
One session price at a licensed center
A full day of licensed care often costs less than a few hours with a babysitter.
Every center sets its own rates. You always see the exact total before you confirm.
43,000+ licensed centers. Real seats, real time.
Around Chicago, 1 center can take a drop-in today. Tap one to see seats, prices, and book.
From “I need care” to pickup, a seamless experience from start to finish.
One-time setup for records, allergies, and emergency contacts. Every future booking takes just a minute.
7:41 AM
Find a seat
Search nearby centers with real availability for today.
7:43 AM
Book it
Pick the session, see the total, pay in the app. Done in two minutes.
8:02 AM
Scan and go
QR check-in at the door. The center already has your child's file.
All day
Watch the day
Photos, meals, naps, and milestones, as they happen.
3:10 PM
Pick up happy
Scan out. Receipt lands in your inbox automatically.
The price you see is the price you pay.
Each center sets its own pricing, and you see the exact total upfront. No hidden costs, no surprises, and nothing due at pickup.
Booking summary
Sunshine Learning Center
Austin, TX
Parents who've been there
Real families from the DropIn pilot.
DropIn saved me on a day when my regular sitter cancelled. I found a licensed center two miles away with an open spot, booked and dropped off in under an hour.
We use DropIn for weekend care when we need a few hours. It’s been a game-changer for us, with no commitments, no enrollment fees, and our son loves it.
I was visiting family in Texas and needed last-minute childcare. DropIn found me a center within 15 minutes. The whole experience felt safe and professional.
Questions parents ask
Yes, at centers showing same-day availability. Many centers accept bookings for the same morning, and your child's profile travels with you so there is no paperwork at the door.
Every bookable center holds a state child care license, verified against the official state registry. Centers operate under state-mandated staff ratios and inspection regimes, and you can see each center's license details on its profile. You also receive real-time updates, photos, and activity logs during the visit.
Most centers accept children from infants to age 6, and some take school-age kids for evenings and weekends. Each center lists its age groups, and search filters by your child's age automatically.
The center's profile lists anything specific. Typically: a change of clothes, any comfort item, and labeled bottles or formula for infants. Records and signatures are already handled in the app.
Each center sets its own policy and it is shown before you book. Common policies include free cancellation up to 24 hours before drop-off.
Payments are processed by Stripe, the same infrastructure used by millions of businesses. DropIn never stores your card details, and every booking generates an automatic receipt.
Need care today? Book instantly.
Search licensed centers near you, view live open spots, and book your first DropIn in minutes.