Common Sense Media Review
By Emily Ashby
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Tween-friendly reboot celebrates friendship and diversity.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Baby-Sitters Club (2020)
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 49 parent reviews
Parents say the show offers a refreshing and modern approach to the original series, addressing relevant topics such as menstruation, LGBTQ+ representation, and family dynamics, which some viewers find educational and relatable. However, many parents express concern about the mature themes and suggest that it may not be appropriate for younger children, indicating a divide in opinions regarding the content and its suitability for different age groups.
- modern update
- educational themes
- mature content
- family discussions
- varied representation
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 113 kid reviews
Kids say this show is a refreshing take on the beloved classic, tackling important topics such as LGBTQ+ issues and menstruation in a way that resonates with its young audience. While some fans of the original books feel disappointed by the show's deviations and mature themes, many viewers appreciate its diversity, relatable characters, and positive messages about friendship and empowerment.
- great representation
- relatable themes
- diversity matters
- modern adaptation
- tackles tough topics
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In THE BABY-SITTERS CLUB, five friends join forces to start a lucrative business that serves the childcare needs of their community and allows them time to hang out together. The idea first occurs to Kristy (Sophie Grace) as she watches her mom struggle to find a babysitter for her younger brother. So she teams up with her friends Mary-Anne (Malia Baker) and Claudia (Momona Tamada) to form a club that meets several times a week to field childcare requests from parents in their community. Soon Stacey (Shay Rudolph) and Dawn (Xochitl Gomez and Kyndra Sanchez) join their ranks, and the five girls create a club around their shared devotion to helping parents care for their kids' physical and emotional needs. At the same time, the club becomes a respite for the girls themselves as they turn to one another for help in dealing with the challenges in their own lives.
Is It Any Good?
Ann M. Martin's beloved book series comes to the screen once again in this engaging show with exceptional messages about how entrepreneurship and compassion can go hand in hand. In a TV climate that's often saturated with stereotypes about girls, The Baby-Sitters Club emerges resplendent with culturally and ideologically diverse teens who prove the value of character strengths like empathy, loyalty, and a strong work ethic. In keeping with the books' style, each episode plays out from a different club member's perspective, which gives viewers a unique glimpse into the member's life experience. In this way, we learn that Claudia's sweet relationship with her grandmother helps her manage her rocky one with her parents, Kristy struggles with her mom's new romantic relationship, and Mary-Anne feels pressure to please her widower father. This creative format works well in a show that celebrates individuality and emphasizes the value of emotionally secure relationships.
Viewers see fairly quickly that The Baby-Sitters Club doesn't shy away from difficult and relevant issues, both in the teens' lives and in those of their young charges. Stories center on family matters like divorce, absentee parents, and difficult cross-generational relationships, as well as broader societal issues like transphobia and racial traumas. Every problem is met with honest and thoughtful responses, and solutions are realistically hard-fought. This updated series tweaks aspects of the books to encourage diversity and change some dated characterizations, but the prominent themes about problem-solving, friendship, and self-identity remain consistent and exceptional.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the characters in The Baby-Sitters Club distinguish themselves as positive role models, both for the kids in their charge and for the show's viewers. What events stand out to you as examples of how the teens keep cool heads under pressure? To what degree is selflessness important in a caretaker of children?
Each of the five teens has a distinct personality and set of character strengths like empathy and teamwork that they bring to the group. How does the club benefit? How do the girls' unique strengths help them best serve their clients?
What issues raised in this show are most relevant to your tween's or teen's experiences? In general, how applicable are messages from shows like this one to real life? Are some shows better than others at delivering relevant messages? If so, which ones?
How is diversity presented in The Baby-Sitters Club? Are there instances of prejudice that stand out? How are racial relations and LGBTQ+ rights evolving?
TV Details
- Premiere date : July 3, 2020
- Cast : Shay Rudolph , Sophie Grace , Momona Tamada , Malia Baker
- Network : Netflix
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Book Characters , Friendship
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Empathy , Teamwork
- TV rating :
- Awards : Common Sense Selection , Emmy - Emmy Award Winner , Emmy - Emmy Award Nominee , Kids' Choice Award
- Last updated : January 2, 2026
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate