Sneho-ChildCareConnect
A comprehensive platform connecting parents with verified babysitters featuring real-time video calling, live chat, and geospatial location-based matching. Built with a decoupled Express.js backend, Stream SDK, and Stripe-secured bookings.
The Challenge
Integrating real-time video/audio communication and managing complex state for booking schedules while ensuring type safety across a Next.js 16 (Beta) and Express backend architecture.
TECHNOLOGIES USED
šØ Frontend
āļø Backend
šļø Database
š DevOps
The Solution
ā React 19 + Next.js App Router for a high-performance frontend. ā Express + Prisma ORM + MySQL for structured backend data integrity. ā Stream SDK + Socket.io for low-latency real-time video & chat. ā Stripe integration for secure booking transactions.
Type Safety
React Components
Performance Score
Key Decisions
Why MySQL over MongoDB?
Booking/scheduling data is highly relational ā users, sitters, slots, payments. SQL gave us JOIN efficiency and transaction safety out of the box.
Why Stream SDK over custom WebRTC?
Building production-grade video from scratch = 3 months. Stream SDK = 3 days. Right tradeoff for a solo project.
Why Zustand over Redux?
Redux overkill for this scale. Zustand gave us simple global state with zero boilerplate.
What I Learned
Hardest Part
Real-time state sync between video, chat, and booking simultaneously without race conditions.
Biggest Insight
Schema changes in production are expensive. Upfront planning saves weeks of refactoring.
Do Differently
Start with Docker ā inconsistent local environments wasted days of debugging time.
Key Highlights
Real-time Communication
Video calls & Chat powered by Stream SDK & Socket.io.
Smart Location Search
Interactive maps using Leaflet & geospatial queries.
Data Visualization
Analytics dashboard for revenue & bookings using Recharts.
Secure Payments
Integrated Stripe for secure booking transactions.
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