Work While the Kids Are in School

For parents who want to work while the kids are in school, becoming a part-time companion caregiver is a great opportunity. 

Become a companion caregiver and set your own work schedule

Parents of school-age kids know it’s a challenge to find part-time work that fits around your schedule. Work opportunities between 9 am and 3 pm are limited because school hours don’t always match up with office, retail or restaurant hours. For parents who want to work while the kids are in school, becoming a part-time companion caregiver with Papa is a great flexible opportunity. 

Be a Papa Pal

Companion caregivers for Papa—called Papa Pals—offer companionship and support to older adults, seniors and families in their communities—called Papa members. 

Think of a Papa Pal as a supportive and friendly neighbor who helps around the house and lends a hand with grocery shopping, transportation, light housekeeping, and errands.

Being a Papa Pal is a great job for kind-hearted, dependable and empathetic people. It's not a nursing or medical role. It's all about companionship.

As a Papa Pal, it’s easy to work while the kids are in school.
As a Papa Pal, it’s easy to work while the kids are in school.

Work while the kids are in school

As a Papa Pal, you set your own hours. You choose when you work and the type of visit. A visit, also called a shift, usually lasts 2 to 4 hours. 

It’s easy to book visits during school hours using the Papa Pal app. You can book visits up to 2 weeks in advance. There are also opportunities to book last-minute and same-day visits. 

Papa Pals have full control over scheduling, so you’ll always get school holidays off. The job offers all the flexibility parents need, plus the option to add more hours when you want.

Hourly pay, mileage and bonuses

Papa pays you an hourly rate, which varies by location. You can also earn bonuses. When bonuses apply, you can earn $20 an hour or more. Papa also pays for mileage when you offer car rides. Papa pays you within 2 business days of completing a visit.

Types of visits

No two Papa Pal visits are the same. Here are some examples of typical activities:

Errands: Pick up groceries or medications for Papa Members, along with other items that make life a little easier.

Rides: Give Papa Members a lift to the doctor’s office, the bank, or anywhere they need to go. No car? No worries! We have other types of visits.

Companionship: Have a great conversation, go on a walk, watch a movie, or cook something together.

At home: Help Papa Members be more comfortable at home with light cleaning, laundry, meal prep, and more.

Companion caregiver qualifications

You don’t need to take any classes to start working as a Papa Pal. Because it’s a non-medical role, there are no required courses or certification requirements.

Who are Papa Pals?

Papa Pals are often described as reliable, compassionate and resourceful people. 

Papa Pals have a variety of life experience, including raising kids, supporting family members and volunteering, as well as paid work experience. Some Papa Pals have retail, customer service, teaching and hospitality experience, while others have worked in offices and manufacturing facilities. No two Papa Pals are the same, but all share a passion for helping others.

Papa Pals are often described as reliable, compassionate and resourceful people. 

Live in a smaller town or city? We need you!

Papa is recruiting Papa Pals across the country. There’s a particular need for Papa Pals in smaller towns, cities and counties, including Grand Traverse County in Michigan, Stephenson County in Illinois, Clallum County in Washington, Sumter County in Florida, and Bristol County in Rhode Island.

Apply to be a Papa Pal and work while the kids are in school

Applying to become a Papa Pal is a straightforward process that takes 1 to 2 weeks. There is no cost to apply or get started. Papa pays for the cost of your background check.

As soon as you're approved, you can book visits. Be sure to check the app every morning for last-minute opportunities that include bonuses.

And if the kids get a day off, you can schedule a day off for yourself too.

We look forward to welcoming you as a Papa Pal! Click here to apply.