Frequently Asked Questions

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About On-Call Grandma

  • On-Call Grandma (OCG) connects families with kind, experienced caregivers who provide flexible, reliable support—whether you need a few hours to run errands, help with before- or after-school care, transportation to activities, or extra support during a busy week.

  • We make finding care simple, personal, and reliable. Our caregivers bring real-life experience and a genuine love for children, and we take the time to thoughtfully match families with someone they can trust. It’s flexible support you can feel good about without the stress of searching on your own.

  • We care for children of all ages, from infants to teens.

  • We serve Frederick, Maryland and surrounding areas, including Ballenger Creek, Brunswick, Monrovia, New Market, Thurmont, Urbana, Walkersville, and more (with more areas coming soon!).

Caregivers

  • Our caregivers are carefully selected individuals with real-life childcare experience. Many are:

    - Retired teachers or nurses
    - Experienced moms or grandmothers
    - Individuals with a passion for caring for children

  • Yes, safety is a top priority. All caregivers must pass an interview, reference check, background and MVA check before working with families.

  • Many caregivers are CPR certified. (You can request this if it’s important to you.)

  • Caregivers are independent contractors who choose when and how often they work. This allows flexibility while still maintaining OCG’s high standards and expectations.

  • Yes! We love building relationships. If you find a caregiver you love, you can absolutely request them again.

  • No. Caregivers agree to work through OCG so we can maintain quality, safety, and consistency for all families.

Booking & Scheduling

  • Start by registering your family so we have your basic information on file. Once you’re registered, requesting care is quick and easy—just fill out our short request form or send a text with your details, and we’ll take it from there.

  • We accept both:

    - Advance bookings
    - Last-minute requests (based on availability)

  • Yes, there is a one-hour minimum per visit. After the first hour, time is billed in 15-minute increments.

  • We can absolutely support ongoing or recurring needs, and we offer a discount for recurring services. Just let us know what you're looking for!

Pricing & Payment

  • Our rates vary depending on the type of care, timing, and specific needs of your family. We’re happy to provide clear, upfront pricing before you book — Just submit a request and we’ll take care of the rest.

  • Payment is handled securely online at the time your caregiver is confirmed.

  • Yes, a small $2.95 service charge is applied per payment to cover secure processing.

  • Yes! Additional time can be billed if your plans change.

  • We understand that plans can change!

    Cancellations made more than 24 hours in advance are fully refundable.
    Cancellations made 12–24 hours in advance are 50% refundable.
    Cancellations made less than 12 hours in advance are non-refundable, as your caregiver has reserved that time for your family.

  • We’ll always do our best to accommodate rescheduling requests. Availability may vary depending on your caregiver, so changes are handled on a case-by-case basis. Just reach out as soon as possible, and we’ll work with you!