Bay Area mom creates app to help parents find childcare on demand

The COVID-19 pandemic forced hundreds of daycare providers across the Bay Area to shut down, creating a “childcare desert.” That shortage inspired entrepreneur Gretchen Salyer to launch June Care, a platform that connects families with local moms and sitters.

What started in Silicon Valley and the Bay Area has now expanded nationwide. Salyer, a Los Altos resident, discusses how she hopes to leverage technology to help families navigate the challenges of finding reliable childcare.

Q: What inspired you to create June Care?

A: June Care was born out of the pandemic. Before COVID-19, I had recently decided to step away from the tech industry and become a full-time mom. Then, two months later, everything changed—daycares shut down, nannies were hesitant to enter homes, and parents were left juggling full-time childcare with full-time work.

As a stay-at-home mom already caring for my kids, I started offering to help friends and neighbors. At the same time, news coverage about the childcare crisis made it clear this was a massive, ongoing issue—more than half of American families struggle to find reliable childcare.

I started wondering: How many other stay-at-home parents already caring for their own kids might have the capacity to welcome another child into their home? This led to what is now June Care—essentially, an “Uber for childcare” that connects families who need childcare with stay-at-home parents willing to help.

Q: How does pricing work on the platform?

A: Our providers set their own rates, though we offer guidance based on average rates in their area. For many providers, June Care is a meaningful source of income, so they set prices closer to market rates. Others do it simply to help, charging flexible rates based on what a family can afford.

Typically, June Care costs about half as much as a traditional nanny but is more expensive than daycare, which operates with a higher child-to-provider ratio. Since our providers are already home with their children, this is a way for them to earn supplemental income—whether that’s covering household expenses, paying for extracurriculars, or just having extra flexibility.

Q: How has June Care grown since launching?

A: Our first year was tricky, as we were still navigating COVID-19 restrictions. In the Bay Area, where we started, lockdowns were ongoing, and parents had varying comfort levels regarding safety. That challenge pushed us to expand beyond the Bay Area earlier than expected, launching in San Diego and Orange County, where there was more flexibility for outdoor interactions.

Then, in August 2022, we were featured on “Good Morning America,” which catapulted us into national expansion. We now have 30,000 providers across the country, growing daily, and operate in every major metropolitan area. It’s always exciting to see where matches are happening!

Q: How big is your team?

A: There are just seven of us. We’re a small but dedicated team, and many of us are moms, which keeps us closely connected to our mission. This perspective has also helped us build best-in-class screening processes for our providers.

Q: Speaking of safety, how does June Care ensure a high standard of care?

A: Safety is a top priority. Every provider undergoes a background check, preference screening, and profile verification, including photos of their family and play space.

We also have mechanisms in place for families and providers to report concerns. While serious issues are rare, we have a Head of Trust and Safety who manages any instances requiring intervention. Our goal is to maintain a supportive, trusted community of moms helping moms.

Q: What’s been the biggest challenge in launching and running June Care?

A: There are many challenges in building a startup—especially a consumer marketplace in childcare. One of the trickiest aspects has been refining our technology to accommodate real-life flexibility.

Unlike booking an Airbnb, where dates and requirements are set, childcare is more nuanced. A parent may plan to book for one child but then need care for a second at the last minute. A pickup might be delayed. Payment rates may need adjustment. We’ve worked hard to build a scalable product that can flex with real-life parenting needs.

Q: What is your background, and how did it influence your decision to start June Care?

A: I started the company to solve a need. My goal was to spend a year or two focusing on my children full-time before figuring out my next step. But I was struck by my own experience of having no support—and by how many others in my community faced the same challenge. When you rely on professional childcare without involving other families, it can feel isolating. And when that option disappears, the isolation only deepens.

So I wondered: Could we bring people together to raise our children and truly live life as a community? The pandemic made that disconnect even more apparent. At the same time, we needed real solutions—both for childcare access and for parents doing the rewarding but difficult work of caring for kids.

Q: How has June Care impacted providers and users?

A: The stories from our providers are incredibly rewarding. Many were facing tough choices—returning to hourly jobs that barely covered the cost of childcare, or extending their maternity leave with no income. June Care has allowed many of them to stay home with their own kids while earning money.

In the early days, many of our providers had tried other platforms but found they were often dismissed once families learned they had their own children with them. June Care flips that dynamic—everyone knows from the start that providers are caring for their own kids alongside others.

Q: What are you most proud of in your journey with June Care?

A: My team. There’s a lot of ups and downs. There’s a lot of hours put in at all hours of the day and on the weekend. But the dedication to our mission—to supporting families and providers—keeps us going. I’m incredibly grateful to them.

Q: What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs?

A: Just start. Too many people delay launching their idea, waiting for the perfect timing, the right team, or the right product. But there will always be more to be and do. The sooner you start, the sooner you learn.

When we started, everything was manual—we connected people through WhatsApp groups and processed payments via Zelle. It was far from polished, but it allowed us to learn quickly, get real customer feedback, and refine our approach. The best way to build a great product is to get it into people’s hands as soon as possible and iterate from there.

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