Find an emergency babysitter near you

Book emergency child care fast. Average response time for urgent needs is under two minutes in most cities.
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Available babysitters on UrbanSitter

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

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Linda
Booked by 158 repeat families
280 reviews
San Francisco
$30 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 400 repeat families

Hi, My Name is Linda and I was a California licensed infant/toddler and pre-school teacher who worked at Little Tree Preschool, Holy Family, Bright Horizons and Potrero Kids. I have also worked as a tutor with the Jewish Coalition for Literacy and the Boys and Girls Club of San Francisco. Due to a reduction in Government funding I was just laid off from my four-year employment with the non-profit On Lok as a fundraising asst. raising money to help low income seniors and disabled live independent lives with access to good medical care. However, I love children so I continue to babysit in the evenings. I have many years experience working with children of all ages. I am lucky that I continue to sit for families that I've had for many years as well as sitting for new families. I am fairly fluent in Spanish and know a bit of ASL. I love dogs but can sometimes be allergic to please let me know if you have a dog as I can take some medicine before coming. I can provide references if needed. I am also available for interviews in person or via the phone. Please feel free to contact me with any questions and I promise all calls will be returned. Thank you.

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Donna
Booked by 15 repeat families
47 reviews
Skokie
$25 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 38 repeat families

Hi Parents, My name is Donna, and I am an experienced, CPR-certified nanny with a background in Early Child Development. I have extensive experience caring for multiple children from infancy through school age, including managing meal prep and bedtime routines. I love engaging children in hands-on activities like arts, crafts, and imaginary play. I am energetic, flexible, and dedicated to providing nurturing care. Additionally, I am happy to assist with light housekeeping and always ensure spaces are cleaned before I leave. I have excellent reviews from long-term families and look forward to connecting with you. Thank you for your time. Best, Donna R.

Donna was a nanny for my two grandchildren for two years. One was a newborn and the other was a toddler. My daughter does not do social media so she asked I write this for her. Donna is a very attentive, hands on, loving and caring nanny. She is wonderful at helping children reach milestones and is a pro at recommending what toys develop motor hand -eye coordination, She loved taking the children to the park and going on walks with the stroller and playtime always included a motor or cognitive development lesson. As well as reading to them. My grandkids loved her. She is also an amazing cook and baker and made nutritious and delicious meals for the kids. I think she would be a wonderful asset to any parent in helping their child develop and the parent can work and have peace of mind that their child is in good hands,

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Jane Marie
Booked by 89 repeat families
84 reviews
Cupertino
$45 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 178 repeat families

Experienced with infants, toddlers, elementary and middle. I’ve been on Urban since April 2015 so please feel free to browse my many 5 star reviews. Background: -While an undergraduate at Simmons College, I studied early childhood education and worked in an urban preschool for two years with Jumpstart, an AmeriCorps project. -CPR/ AED trained and certified by the Red Cross -Oakland CORE certified (Earthquake & Disaster Preparation) -My reviews are nearly all 5 stars. -I live in Cupertino (formerly from Boston) and am obsessed with hot yoga and once upon a time Sailor Moon. I’d be happy to be a healthy influence on your family and assist with household coordination. MY STYLE - Waldorf/ Montessori influences - I encourage creative & imaginative play along with self organizing and cooperation for older children. - For the pre-school and under crowd, I participate in parallel play and getting on the child’s level. - I love taking children outside to play or for a stroller walk. We will read books together (maybe even make one together) and on the whole I’ll be that new age sitter who isn’t too fond of screen time and would rather we go to the playground or explore fractal patterns in pinecones. 😋🌲 Thank you! -Jane *** A note on my care style: I believe children thrive with movement, fresh air, and exploration whenever possible. For children who are walking and older, I generally plan on stroller walks, playground visits, backyard play, or other age-appropriate outdoor activities (weather permitting). If your family’s needs require children to remain indoors for the entirety of each day, we may not be the best match. If outdoor walks or playground time require prior approval or have specific restrictions, I appreciate discussing those expectations before booking so we can ensure we’re a great fit. *** I do my best work when I am the primary caregiver during my scheduled hours. While I enjoy collaborating with parents, my style is naturally independent, calm, and child-centered. Families who are looking for a true mother’s helper role or who anticipate being closely involved with the child throughout the day may find that another caregiver is a better fit. *** My booking minimum is 5 hours unless we’ve worked together previously and have arranged an exception together.

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Victória
Booked by 65 repeat families
78 reviews
Santa Cruz
$40 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 142 repeat families

Hello. My name is Victoria, I am from Brazil and I was working as au pair. In Brazil I've degree in environmental engineering and circus arts. I am circus teacher for over 20 years already, I also worked as a babysitter and I've experience with all ages . I am an excellent driver and I love children.

Victoria was wonderful! The kids had the best time with her and keep asking when the babysitter can come back. 😊

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Genèvieve
Booked by 116 repeat families
131 reviews
Brisbane
$40 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 220 repeat families

Greetings Everyone! My name is Genèvieve, I am a Rāja and Jivamukti Yoga Instructor, an Activist/Advocate Leader (policy/law), in human trafficking and Founder of a Women’s Outdoor Organization. I am hard-working, honest, dependable, accountable, educated, punctual, intelligent, mellow, fun, great communicator, thoughtful, can take initiative and have a pitch in attitude, loves outdoors, can be firm yet kind, likes to cook, love animals and do live a pretty healthy and active lifestyle. I maintain a positive outlook in life. I am a person who believes that everything in life matters. One of my greatest qualities is my connection with children. Children are little philosophers, they are bright, resilient and intelligent little people, they watch us closely and sense us on an energetic level. My focus in supporting their development is through activating their neurological brain chemistry and sensory mechanics. When we understand the function of these models, children can evolve through conscious evolution. It is enriching to teach important life skill practices to children. In addition, my connection with children come in a form of lovingness, friendliness, playfulness, creativity, and ensuring that I provide a safe environment where they can blossom, find their authentic self to freely express who they are and most importantly, that they trust me. With this wealth at hand, a healthy relationship is born. Personal Interests & Hobbies Yoga, Zazen, sauntering trails, camping, backpacking, paddle boarding, swimming, cooking, photography, road trips, documentary, dance, reading and love dogs and cats! Non-violent communication, conflict resolution in communities. Offering outdoor yoga women’s retreats. Educating myself in all my interest, most specially in writing a series of children’s book regarding neurological brain chemistry. With hope of publishing in the future. Certifications: CPR/First Aid/AED Certified. Clean driving record. Certified Yoga, Swimming and Rock Climbing Instructor. Covid, Tdap and Flue vaccinated. If you feel a connection, I would love to hear from you. Genèvieve T. Aka Ms. G Connection, Communication & Consistency.

Ms. G is the best ! Shes thoughtful , considerate , energetic, entertaining, punctual and most importantly she is passionate about kids . Would love to book her again any time !

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Rida
Booked by 68 repeat families
95 reviews
Morton Grove
$23 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 125 repeat families

My name is Rida, nice to meet you 😊 Families would describe me as trustworthy, communicative, flexible, and kind. I’m am CPR certified, a non smoker, and have over 9 years of experience. I’m 28 years old and a Chicago native! I grew up in Rogers park and now live in the North suburbs! I currently work full time downtown on a hybrid schedule. I have availability on weekends (morning and/or night). I do have my own car and work with families across the city and select suburbs! I graduated from Depaul University in 2020 in political science. I also have an Illinois Teacher’s substitute license. I have been on Urbansitter since 2017 as I started off doing date nights while in undergrad. I had multiple part time families before COVID, as well as some families during that eventually moved out of Chicago. I have families where i have done overnights for while parents are away, as well as pet/house sitting. I have experience with hotel sitting for weddings or while parents may be from out of town! I am comfortable working with 4-5 kiddos at a time- as I have experience working with different ages at once! On the day of the booking, I will make sure to update you on the kid(s) to ensure that they are in good hands :) I come from a big family that are all located in the Chicagoland area. My mom is a teacher in the city so, I get many of my great skills from her! I also help raised my little sister, who is now 18 years old :) Looking forward to meeting you! I am always open to a quick phone call or a working session to get to know your family and to see if it’s a good fit!

Very nurturing and we were so comfortable to have her look after our newborn.

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Christine
Booked by 19 repeat families
21 reviews
Castro Valley
$40 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 45 repeat families

I’m a reliable and trustworthy mom from Castro Valley with a wonderful ninth-grader. I previously taught at a public school here in Castro Valley, and I hold an active California teaching credential for multiple subjects and special education. I love caring for children, tutoring, and would be happy to support a parent who is homeschooling. I have a clean California driver’s license, full insurance coverage, and I’m certified to drive for field trips at my son’s school.

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Lupita
Booked by 44 repeat families
59 reviews
Foster City
$35 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 85 repeat families

I'm a sweet, independent, proactive, fun, lovely, calm, easygoing, and strong individual. Currently residing in Redwood City, I firmly believe in the importance of children's education, which begins at home and is a shared responsibility between parents and caregivers. Additionally, I have excellent driving skills, and clean record. I’m certified by American Heart Association CPR/RCP Pediátrica. Also, vaccinated for Covid-19. I am bilingual Spanish and English. I can teach Spanish too and early childhood development units. Whit prior experience caring for children ranging from 18 months to 17 years old.

We had a wonderful experience with Lupita! Our two kids warmed up to her very quickly and she engaged them in fun activities all morning.

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Kerstin
Booked by 9 repeat families
17 reviews
Novato
$30 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 20 repeat families

Hello Families! I am an early childhood educator with 15+ years of experience in infant care, preschool teaching and school-age aftercare programs; I currently work in early intervention. My focus is on safety, engagement, positive reinforcement and creating supportive relationships. I love working with children and they enjoy me, so it’s a “win-win”. Credentials: BS in Biology, California CTC credential in Child Development including Infant/Toddler certification, RBT certified, Child/Infant CPR and First Aid. I specialize in nature-based learning and Outdoor Classroom curriculum. Fully vaccinated, non-smoker and health-conscious. Happy to assist with meal preparation, potty training, schoolwork/tutoring, and bedtime routines. I come prepared to facilitate activities including art, dance/music, cooking/baking, board games, reading and more. Available for house and pet sitting with flexible scheduling. I adore animals and tend cats, dogs, guinea pigs, rabbits, turtles, birds, etc. with past expertise as a veterinary technician. Message me to discuss your family’s needs and schedule - I’d love to see how I can help! Thank you for reviewing my profile and I look forward to meeting you and your family.

Kerstin was lovely! I would absolutely hire her again.

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Fernanda
Booked by 11 repeat families
25 reviews
Sausalito
$28 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 29 repeat families

Hi families! I’m Fernanda — a warm, reliable, and creative nanny based in Sausalito. I currently care for two wonderful children (ages 7 and 9) and offer occasional babysitting for other families in the Bay Area. I have a background as a pediatric nutritionist, which helps me support children’s health, learning, and routines in a fun and balanced way. I’ve also worked as a youth leader, planning educational and recreational activities — so I love keeping kids active, curious, and happy! Families describe me as patient, trustworthy, and full of positive energy. I always make sure children feel safe, loved, and have fun while their parents are away. I’m also comfortable driving, helping with homework, or caring for pets. If you’re looking for a dependable sitter who brings both care and creativity, I’d love to meet your family! 💛

Recent babysitter activity on UrbanSitter

When it's urgent, trust comes first

All UrbanSitter babysitters are background checked every year. Profiles are individually reviewed by our Trust and Safety team.

photo of quoted parent Hillary

"We were incredibly grateful that Maya was able to help us out with a last-minute childcare emergency. She matched our 9-year-old's energy with arts & crafts, some quiet reading, and a walk around the neighborhood. We'd have Maya back in a heartbeat!"

Hillary S., parent

photo of quoted parent Theresa

"We used Tania for a last minute emergency. She responded very quickly. My daughter seemed to enjoy herself. My son napped most of the time. I enjoyed how she kept me updated by text."

Theresa M., parent

photo of quoted parent Lauren

"Hannah was awesome. Went above & beyond to help me with a last minute emergency. She was really sweet & great with my 16mo old. Highly recommend!!"

Lauren D., parent

Find your emergency babysitter now

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Why families trust UrbanSitter for emergency babysitting

A response in minutes, not hours

In most cities, urgent requests have an average response time of under two minutes.

Trusted by families in your community

See which babysitters have already been hired by parents at your school or in your neighborhood.

Background checked, every year

Every babysitter clears an annual background check, offering peace of mind when you need it most.

Reviews from parents you trust

Read reviews from local parents, see shared connections, and check average response times.

Frequently asked questions about finding an emergency babysitter

What is an emergency babysitter?

An emergency babysitter is a sitter who can step in when regular child care falls through or an unexpected situation comes up. On UrbanSitter, families can share their care needs, hear from available sitters, and review full profiles before booking.

How quickly can I find an emergency babysitter on UrbanSitter?

On UrbanSitter, the average response time for emergency requests is under two minutes in most areas.

Are emergency babysitters on UrbanSitter background checked?

Yes. Every babysitter on UrbanSitter clears an annual background check. You can also read reviews from local families and see shared connections before you book. Learn more about UrbanSitter's commitment to trust and safety.

How much does an emergency babysitter cost?

As of [Month/Year], the average U.S. babysitting rate is $_ per hour for one child. Emergency rates vary by city, experience, number of children, and how quickly you need care. See average babysitting rates in your area.

What should I look for when hiring an emergency babysitter?

Most parents look for fast response times, strong reviews from local families, and repeat families listed on a sitter's profile. Our guide to what to look for in a babysitter includes a full checklist to help.

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