Find a babysitter in Portola Valley, CA

Browse background checked babysitters near you in Portola Valley. Compare local reviews, rates, and experience to find the right fit.

Looking for jobs? Apply here.

364 available babysitters in Portola Valley, CA

Families in Portola Valley use UrbanSitter for date nights, after school help, and last-minute babysitting.
875 available tonight | Avg hourly rate: $30.67/hr

All babysitters shown here are background checked every year. Learn more.

Profile photo
Joana
Booked by 84 repeat families
126 reviews
San Francisco
$30 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 185 families in Portola Valley, CA

Joana here. I came from Brazil to SF in 2007, and have been living on Bernal Heights since then. I've been babysitting kids of all ages professionally for the past 15 years, in a wide range of ways. School pickups, taking to activities, sleep overs, date nights, back up nanny for the day, taking kids to museums, zoo, playgrounds, hikes, etc. I have traveled to 25 countries and love sharing my experiences. I own a fully insured car and have a clean driving record. I love the outdoors! I am healthy and usually kids like me. I'm responsible but also fun. I know how to do anything house related and don’t mind helping out. I love pets. I am flexible and adaptable to follow any philosophies that the family has chosen to guide their little ones. Punctuality, positivity and great communication are my main qualities. Hope to meet you soon. Cheers Minimum of 3 hours per job* I am a proud grandma of 2 boys 🩵 ***Please be considerate of my time as I don’t have any work benefits and only cancel if it is a real emergency. I don’t charge any cancellation fee because I believe in the goodness of people’s hearts.

Profile photo
Shakara
Booked by 89 repeat families
131 reviews
San Francisco
$32 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 199 families in Portola Valley, CA

Hi, I'm Shak! As the eldest in a large family, childcare has been a part of my life from a young age, and over the past 15 years I've worked primarily with newborns and toddlers, though I genuinely love kids of all ages. I bring an empathy-first approach to every family I work with. For infants, I specialize in sleep training and mother's helper support, and I'm happy to work alongside new parents through that journey every step of the way. I also focus on early language development through textures, sounds, rhythm, and music. With toddlers, I lean into interest-led play — imagination building, curiosity about the world, early reading and counting. For school-age kids and teens, I emphasize active listening, healthy boundaries, and creating safe spaces for authentic expression. I also have meaningful experience with neurodiverse children who benefit from a different level of engagement and care. And since I studied classical text and diction, I love putting that to use — making up plays, collaborative storytelling, theatre games, you name it. But I'm just as happy getting active: bike rides, fort building, kite flying at the beach, little hikes, and whatever else sparks joy. I have a very low cancellation rate. If I accept a booking I am committed and will be there. I also have a reliable vehicle. I'd love to be a part of your family's village. Feel free to reach out with any questions!

Profile photo
Alyssa
Booked by 111 repeat families
142 reviews
San Francisco
$45 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 201 families in Portola Valley, CA

Hello, I’m Alyssa. I am 36, I currently work as a lead 3/4 year old teacher through UCSF. I have over a decade of experience babysitting and nannying through urbansitter and I have 4 years of experience teaching in a preschool classroom. I have a double major in Human Development (BS) and Psychology (AB) from UC Davis. I also possess an Associate of Science degree in Early Childhood Education and 8 Associate of Arts degrees. I have current infant first aid and CPR certification as well as trust line (fingerprinting) certification. My upbringing prepared me for a career in childcare. I was raised the oldest female of thirteen cousins and often helped cook, change diapers, and care for my younger cousins with my grandmother every day after school. Caring for children from a very early age helped equip me with a variety of tools to approach children with patience, creativity, warmth, and kindness that I employ every day when I work with children. While I was in college, I nannied with children 1-on-1 for 7 years and I worked as a library aide for 5 years. In the past I volunteered for 8 years coaching volleyball and basketball to 3rd-8th graders, and volunteered for 2 years as a 1st grade English tutor. I began babysitting when a family from work asked me to help watch their three children. I also have lots of experience watching twins and their sibling simultaneously. You can probably tell from my extensive schooling background that providing quality education is one of my core beliefs. It is vitally important for me to contribute to shaping children’s growing minds in environments that are supportive, constructive, and open to letting children try different approaches to learning where they are allowed to fail and grow from their mistakes. I love encouraging literacy, teaching through songs, scaffolding how to try new things on the playground, creating art projects, and incorporating gross motor activity to stimulate retention in the classroom. Thank you for reading and looking forward to hearing from you soon! I have a 24 hour cancellation policy - I will charge 50% for the cancelled booking with less than 24 hours notice. I have multiple references for cat, dog, reptile, and house sitting. I also have references for doing overnight care & before/after school drop-off.

Alyssa was on time, professional, and even brought new games for our kids to play with. They were comfortable with her right away. We would definitely work with her again!

Profile photo
Maria
Booked by 40 repeat families
66 reviews
Mountain View
$30 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 110 families in Portola Valley, CA

**Please note: I do not generally take care of sick children. Please let me know in advance if anyone in your family is sick, especially if they’re contagious, so I can decide whether or not to come. If I’m not told about your sick child until I arrive, I reserve the right to leave to protect myself and the other children in my care. Thank you for understanding** I’m currently working full time as a manager in tech and am only babysitting very occasionally to supplement my income. I was a nanny throughout college to a family with two children, including one with autism. I’ve been babysitting for years for children of a variety of ages. I am not currently available for any regularly scheduled, part time, or full time positions. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you’d like to discuss further.

Live near a college or university? View babysitters by college

Children playing together

How much does a babysitter cost in Portola Valley, CA?

  • Average hourly rate for 1 child: $30.67
  • Average hourly rate for 2 children: $36.51
  • Typical job length: 4.5 hours
  • Most requested times: Morning

As of July 2026

Recent babysitter activity in Portola Valley, CA

Trust and safety come first

Every babysitter's profile is individually reviewed by UrbanSitter's Trust & Safety team after clearing an annual background check. Rely on reviews from local families to help you find your best fit.

1,069 sitters background checked in Portola Valley, CA

4.9 average star rating from total of 7,440 reviews in Portola Valley, CA

photo of quoted parent Matt

"Recommendations from friends are a must when it comes to a sitter for my kids. UrbanSitter has expanded our network of babysitters, and it has given us peace of mind."

Matt K., dad of two

photo of quoted UrbanSitter parent

"UrbanSitter has supported my needs for reliable and joyful sitters. Whether it be for work, recreation or last-minute emergencies, we've made wonderful relationships with local sitters who have become a part of our family!"

Natalie O., mom of five

photo of quoted parent Laura

"UrbanSitter is my go-to for quality sitters! I can book weeks ahead of time or easily find a same-day sitter when in a bind. I even hired a part-time nanny during a daycare transition. Customer service is helpful and babysitters respond in a timely manner."

Laura F., mom of two

Sign up to find a babysitter in Portola Valley

Create a free account to view full profiles and more.

How we're different

Trust and safety standards that go further

In addition to background checks, sitters are evaluated by real people to meet our gold standard for Trust & Safety.

Help when you need it, even last minute babysitters

Need a sitter today? Last-minute babysitter requests receive a response in under two minutes in most cities.

Top picks from parents in your community

See babysitters recommended by local families, including parents in your school, neighborhood, and parent groups.

Profiles that tell the full story

Compare reviews, response times, repeat families, and profile details so you can hire with confidence.

Frequently asked questions about Portola Valley babysitters

How much do babysitters cost in Portola Valley, CA?

As of July 2026, the average babysitting rate in Portola Valley, CA is $30.67 per hour for 1 child, and $36.51 per hour for two children. Costs may vary depending on job responsibilities, children's ages, and the babysitter's experience. Try using a babysitting rates calculator as a helpful tool.

How do I find a babysitter near me?

Sign up for a free UrbanSitter account, post a job with your dates and needs, and review babysitter profiles, including distance, before choosing the right fit. Learn more about how UrbanSitter works.

Are babysitters on UrbanSitter background checked?

Yes. Every Portola Valley babysitter on UrbanSitter is background checked annually, and each profile is individually reviewed by a trained specialist on our Trust & Safety team. Learn more about what's included in a background check.

What's the best way to find a last-minute babysitter in Portola Valley?

Sign up for a free UrbanSitter account, then request a babysitter by posting a job with your needs. In most cities, sitters will reply within minutes, so you can review choices quickly, then book them immediately.

Can I find babysitters for after school care in Portola Valley?

Yes. Families often use UrbanSitter for after school care, including pickup, homework help, tutoring, and early evening coverage. You can filter for babysitters who are willing to drive or have their own car.

Can I find babysitters for evenings, weekends, or extended hours in Portola Valley?

Yes. Families in Portola Valley use UrbanSitter for date nights, weekend plans, extended hours, and other scheduling needs. You can review each sitter's availability and experience to find someone who fits your hours.

Resources

The Ultimate Babysitter Guide for Parents

A step-by-step guide to hiring the right babysitter.

Tips for Finding Last-Minute Child Care

How to find a babysitter fast when plans change.

Top 20 Questions to Ask a Babysitter in an Interview

Essential questions to help you find a great fit.

As seen on