Family with caregiver

Find an emergency babysitter in Berkeley, CA

Berkeley families count on UrbanSitter for same-day emergency child care. In most areas, average response time for urgent needs is under two minutes.

Looking for jobs? Apply here.

251 available babysitters in Berkeley, CA

Families in Berkeley turn to UrbanSitter for emergency and same-day babysitting.
227 available today | Avg hourly rate: $30.97/hr

Every babysitter on UrbanSitter completes an annual background check, and every profile is individually reviewed by our Trust and Safety team. Learn more.

Profile photo
Laura
Booked by 123 repeat families
147 reviews
$34 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 251 families in Berkeley, CA

I am thrilled to join the Urbansitter community, and am looking forward to meeting and building relationships with families in the Bay Area. I have over 10 years of professional babysitting experience, and am comfortable working with children of all ages. I am very warm, engaging and attentive, and take pride in my ability to inspire the children I work with to learn, grow and explore within healthily established boundaries.

Profile photo
Kresta Rae
Booked by 194 repeat families
153 reviews
$40 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 339 families in Berkeley, CA

I have 20+ years experience working with newborns to teens. I’ve spent over a decade as a professional nanny/sitter in San Francisco Bay Area. I usually work with newborns/ infants/ toddlers, so I'm fully vaccinated with documentation. Received a certificate of completion as a newborn care specialist from Newborn Care Training Academy. My earliest childcare experience comes from growing up in a big family. I have 6 siblings and they have 10 kids who I've helped raise. In previous jobs, my duties included dog-walking, driving, light housekeeping/cooking, kid's laundry, sleep training, potty-training, baby-led weaning, baby massage, baby sign language, using cloth diapers, working in a nanny share, caring for twins/multiples, and physical therapy (epilepsy). I was a teacher's aide for preschool, kindergarten, and 1st grade. I've tutored K-12 students in reading and writing comprehension, basic class assignments and computer literacy. I’ve taught melodic percussion and play the ukulele. I can handle multiple children because I worked as a Kid's Club Attendant at 24-Hour Fitness --- busy with arts & crafts, jungle gym, song and dance parties. I drive to work from Berkeley Hills. Please let me know if there's any parking restrictions where you live (street cleaning/other parking rules). ________ VACCINATIONS Flu: 1/8/2026 Covid-19: 9/28/2025 HepB: 11/23/2016 Tdap: 11/22/2016 ________ - Adult/Pediatric CPR/First Aid/AED certified 5/3/25 - Member of International Nanny Association - CA Trustline Certified ________ POLICIES I expect to be paid the same whether the child is asleep/awake with the exception of overnight/travel jobs. Let's discuss expectations and negotiate. EARLY/LATE RETURNS: This work is my main source of income. Because I plan my time and budget around the hours booked, I ask to be paid for the entire booking even if you come home early. I'm usually flexible on the end time of a booking, but text/call if you'll be late, especially if we have not discussed flexibility beforehand. I occasionally book jobs back-to-back with just enough time for travel in between, and your late return can have an unfortunate impact on my schedule. CANCELLATIONS: For cancellations with less than 48 hours notice, I expect 50% of the original booking amount.

“our daughter loves Kresta! we're definitely asking her to return next time we need a sitter. she was on time and knew exactly how to make our baby feel comfortable from the moment she arrived ”

Profile photo
Rebecca
Booked by 179 repeat families
216 reviews
$24 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 364 families in Berkeley, CA

Hello! My name is Rebecca, but just Becky's fine :) I earned my Bachelors Degree in Theatre Arts (performance emphasis) from San Francisco State University with honors in 2015 and my master’s degree in clinical psychology from Pepperdine University just this year! I am about to start full time work as an associate marriage and family therapist. I had heard so many great things about Urban Sitter from friends, so I decided to join in on the fun in 2015! I worked for Urban Sitter from 2015 to 2023, everything from occasional to full time. Unfortunately I had to take a medical leave last year—but now I’m healthy, out of school and can’t wait to work with your kids again. It might not be my full time job anymore, but kids are the best reprieve from the stressors of my day job. I have experience with a wide age range, from kids as young as two weeks to as old as eleven years. I've worked with over 100 families by now, so I'm pretty well prepared for what's thrown my way! I'd say the age range I tend to work best with is infant to toddler--but that's not to say I don't enjoy working with kids older. Got a seven year old obsessed with Pokemon? Me too. I'm all for it. Can't wait to meet and hang out with your wonderful kids! Note: Due to ever increasing gas prices and bridge toll, please note that I will usually not travel to SF or across another bridge for a job less than $100 overall. This of course does not include any jobs I may apply to on the job board. There may be outliers to this rule (for example: if I’m already in SF that day), so it never hurts to message me and ask!

Profile photo
Milena
Booked by 165 repeat families
209 reviews
$30 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 323 families in Berkeley, CA

Hi, I’m Nina. I’m a reliable, calm, and experienced caregiver based in Berkeley and Santa Clara Valley. About Me I recently graduated and currently offer babysitting for families looking for someone dependable, warm, and experienced. I take childcare seriously and bring a steady, grounded energy into the home. Experience I have over 10 years of paid childcare experience with children ranging from 2 months to 14 years old. My background includes working as an au pair on the East Coast, a full-time nanny in San Francisco, and a babysitter in Los Angeles. I’m comfortable with dinner routines, bedtime, bath time, light meal prep, homework support, and caring for multiple children at once. I’m organized, attentive, and responsive to each child’s individual needs. My Approach I focus on creating a structured but relaxed environment where children feel safe, supported, and encouraged to be themselves. For date nights, I aim to keep the evening calm, smooth, and fun while maintaining the family’s usual routine. My style is balanced, consistent, respectful, and calm. I believe children thrive with clear expectations, kindness, and patience. Outside of work, I enjoy the beach, long walks, and a quiet night with a good book. I also have a dog and a cat, so I’m very comfortable around pets. I look forward to connecting and seeing if we’re a good fit!

Profile photo
Linda
Booked by 96 repeat families
110 reviews
$35 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 190 families in Berkeley, CA

Hello! I'm Linda — a trained classical singer, Montessori-informed, and 10-year nanny who genuinely loves the kiddos! I love their hilarious personalities, and believe the care and attention we give them early on shapes everything they become. (Most experience with infants and toddlers) SF native now located in North Oakland, I hold a BA from UC Davis alongside child development coursework — and I'm inspired in my work by Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan, who remind me that nurturing a child's full potential through care, structure, and encouragement is everything. My approach is firm but loving: building trust through warmth, calm guidance, and patience — guiding behavior thoughtfully rather than relying heavily on "no." Two of my ten years were spent caring for twins from infancy to toddlerhood, so I'm well practiced at juggling many demands at once! Infant care is where I feel most at home — sleep training, bottle feeding, gas relief, intro to purees & solids, BLW, tummy time, baby milestone developments, fine and large motor skills, administering medicine, and more. I am vaccinated for COVID, TDAP, and MMR, and CPR-certified for children and infants. I thrive in a collaborative nanny-parent partnership built on trust, open communication, and mutual respect — keeping parents connected through regular updates, photos, and texts, and adapting to each family's unique values and rhythms. My primary role is as a nanny, with a strong focus on nurturing each child's development and growth. I am not seeking a combined nanny + housekeeping/mother's helper position — though I'm open to extra non-child related tasks (clearly set & agreed upon) at a higher rate.* I also love incorporating music into childcare and offer beginner voice lessons! In my 20s I worked for a Bay Area nonprofit that I still volunteer with today. Contract agreements required for jobs 4+ wks. (Just so we're both on the same page on everything :) ) 3hrs booking or less - $120 flat. Same-day cancellations charged in full.

Live near a college or university? View babysitters by college

Children playing together

How much does an emergency babysitter cost in Berkeley, CA?

  • Average hourly rate for 1 child: $30.97
  • Average hourly rate for 2 children: $36.84
  • Typical job length: 4.7 hours
  • Most requested times: Morning

As of October 2026

Recent babysitter activity in Berkeley, CA

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.

2,513 sitters background checked in Berkeley, CA

5.0 average star rating from total of 30,046 reviews in Berkeley, CA

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

Family with caregiver

Find emergency care in Berkeley

Share your needs and hear from available sitters.

Why families trust UrbanSitter for emergency babysitting

Trusted by Berkeley families

See which babysitters have been hired by parents in your Berkeley neighborhood, school, or parenting group.

Fast responses for urgent needs

Average response times for last-minute requests are under two minutes in most areas.

Background checked, every year

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

Reviews from local parents

Read reviews from local families, see repeat family counts, and compare profiles before you choose.

Frequently asked questions about emergency babysitters in Berkeley

How do I find an emergency babysitter in Berkeley?

Sign up for an UrbanSitter account, then share the date, time, and number of children who need care. Available sitters in Berkeley can respond, and you can review full profiles before booking.

How much does an emergency babysitter cost in Berkeley?

As of October 2026, babysitting rates in Berkeley average $30.97 per hour for one child, and vary by experience, number of children, and job length. For same-day care, offering a higher rate can help attract interest and a faster response. See average babysitting rates in your area.

Are babysitters in Berkeley on UrbanSitter background checked?

Yes. Every babysitter on UrbanSitter completes an annual background check, including those in Berkeley, and each profile is individually reviewed by our Trust and Safety team. See what's included in the background check.

Can I find a babysitter in Berkeley for today or tonight?

Yes. Same-day and tonight requests are common on UrbanSitter. Share your care needs and available sitters can respond. You can read reviews, watch profile videos, and choose the right fit.

What's the best way to find a babysitter in Berkeley on short notice?

On UrbanSitter, when an urgent need comes up, share your timing, location, and care needs so available sitters can respond. See tips for finding last-minute child care for additional ways to find support.

What do I do if my babysitter cancels in Berkeley?

Sign into UrbanSitter and submit a new urgent request with your timing, location, and care needs. Available sitters can respond, and you can compare reviews, profile videos, and response times before choosing.

As seen on