Similar to modern dating, your next babysitter could be a swipe away. Meet Lindsay Lekkalapudi + her husband Naveen, two local parents who discovered the hardships of securing a babysitter for their son firsthand. Their solution? Building Otay, Chattanooga's new childcare app.

Lekkalapudi said this app, which has a current 70:30 sitter-to-parent ratio, is designed to put an end to common challenges like back-and-forth messaging + last-minute cancellations. Otay, it's time we break down the navigation.

For the parents

Join the platform for $2 a month — bonus: Sign up for a "yearly subscription" and get a six-month free trial.
Create a profile detailing the needs you have, info about your kiddos + what you're willing to pay.
Swipe through the sitters and pick the ones you want on your go-to roster.
Post "shifts" on your calendar — you can select a specific sitter to notify or have it sent to your entire team.
Once a sitter picks up the shift, you'll receive a confirmation text — a backup system is in place, meaning if a sitter falls through, another will get notified the shift is open.

For the sitters

Join the platform for free — all sitters are screened by background checks through the Otay Intake Team.
Fill out your profile with details like education + previous experience and pay rates.
Swipe to match with parents you want to work with.
Pick up shifts as they fit with your schedule.

Note: Payments between parent and sitter are done outside the app, but sitters can put their Venmo info on their profiles for easy access + track their earnings through the app.

Lekkalapudi said features are likely to change over time, adapting to growing needs. She added that parents + babysitters can soon expect a review system and house manuals (think: instructions, rules, and other needed info from the parents). Stay up to date via Instagram.

Want to meet the brains behind the app? Join Otay for its launch party on Saturday, Aug. 24 where you can network with other parents + meet some of the babysitters.