Backup Care | Wellthy
The most modern and customizable backup care solution
Backup care for kids, special needs adults, elders, and pets - anyone your employees care for
- Deeply customizable program design options
- Support for global workforces
- Onsite and nearsite care capabilities for in-person workforces or seasonal moments
- Integrated payments and reimbursements
- Transparent, pay-as-you-go pricing model
- More cost effective than legacy solutions
Simple, streamlined employee experience
With Wellthy Backup Care, employees can access care through any of our convenient booking pathways, ahead of time or at the very last minute.
Full service
Employees simply share a few details about their care needs, and a Wellthy Backup Care specialist will take care of everything on their behalf, including finding, vetting, and booking providers.
Self-serve
Employees can search the Wellthy network and filter for the perfect provider, explore provider details, read reviews, book care, and add their favorites to their Backup Care Circle - a shortlist of preferred options for the future. Wellthy is also the only Backup Care provider to offer a conversational AI interface, allowing employees to find amazing providers who match their needs with just a simple chat.
Personal network - reimagined
Sometimes the perfect provider is the one you already know: A next door neighbor, a cousin, or a home daycare just down the street. With Wellthy Backup Care, employees can lean on these trusted connections and get reimbursed for the costs of care - while employers can rest easy knowing that Wellthy enforces strict guardrails and reviews every care event to prevent misuse.
Care options from coast to coast and around the globe
Powered by the industry’s most diverse and scalable care network - with options to match even the most unique needs. With Wellthy Backup Care, families have real choice when it comes to care, and that makes all the difference.
- Babysitters and nannies
- In-home aides
- Daycare centers
- Community centers
- Home daycares
- Early learning centers
- Summer programs
- Fun activities
- Faith-based centers
- Tutoring and academic support
- Senior day programs
- Dog sitters and walkers
Wellthy’s network has developed over 10 years, and we are continually evaluating and adding new local options for families to choose from. We focus on the locations where our members actually live and work—not just big city hubs—to ensure that we can surface options even in tiny towns, suburbs, and rural areas.
Getting ahead of emergencies and inspiring new behaviors
Getting ahead of care emergencies starts with a bit of thoughtful preparation. At Wellthy, we’ve seen how planning ahead can ease the pressure when care needs shift unexpectedly. With Wellthy Backup Care, families can build a Backup Care Circle of trusted, go-to providers—so when something changes, they’re not starting from scratch, but turning to options they already know and feel good about.
Families can also plan ahead by booking care in advance for known moments like school closures, work travel, or busy work periods so support is already in place when they need it.
A foundational commitment to trust and safety
As parents, caregivers, and pet owners ourselves, the Wellthy team understands the emotional stakes involved in care - and the importance of trust. That understanding has shaped our approach to backup care from the program’s inception. Here’s how we build trust and safety into every step of the process:
- Comprehensive background screenings
- Ongoing recertification and licensing checks
- Specialized expertise verification
- Collection of family feedback after every care event
- Zero tolerance policy for providers who don’t meet our standards of excellence
Wellthy Backup Care in action:
Wellthy partnered with a large public employer to launch a flexible, high-impact Backup Care program for over 30,000 employees. The program was customized to meet the employer’s policy needs while delivering meaningful support to working families across departments and job types.
Program customizations included:
- Dependent verification requirement
- Employee copy and fixed employer payment amount per care day
- Personal Network usage limits
Results over 12 months: Since launch, the program has been a resounding success, with thousands of Backup Care requests fulfilled and excellent employee feedback. We’ve seen Backup Care surge during holidays and school closures like Spring Break, allowing working parents who are critical to company operations to show up to work and be present.
We’ve also seen families appreciating the wide range of care options available to them through Wellthy, including activities and nontraditional options. Two of the most popular options have been an outdoor nature discovery center and a kids’ art camp.
- 92% members have returned to use Backup Care again
- 91 employee NPS
- 81% care days used for children
- 58% members created a Care Circle for advance planning
Get the guide: Building your ideal backup care program
Whether you’re looking into backup care solutions for the first time, or considering a switch from another provider, this guide is a great starting point.
- Learn how other leading employers have customized their Wellthy Backup Care programs
- Explore available configuration options
- Start envisioning a backup care program that meets your unique needs and budget
Patch: Onsite and near-site childcare for in-person workforces
If you’re navigating return-to-office or if your team never left, Patch is a gamechanger. Patch brings reliable, employer-dedicated backup care directly to the workplace. Designed to meet the realities of in-person work, a Patch Site offers guaranteed access to childcare — day, night, overnight, or on weekends. Employees can view real-time availability and instantly book care when they need it, allowing them to show up for work even when care plans fall through or schedules shift.
Patch is a perfect complement to a Backup Care program, or as a standalone solution.
Why families and employers love Wellthy Backup Care
For employers:
- Higher employee satisfaction
- Better care fulfillment
- Customizable program design
- Top-notch employer experience
- Lower costs and more transparency
For families:
- More care options and the largest variety of provider types
- Multiple ways to book and engage (full service, self-service)
- All-in-one, easy to use platform
- Support for even the most complex situations (last minute care, special needs)