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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.

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254 available babysitters in Berkeley, CA

Families in Berkeley turn to UrbanSitter for emergency and same-day babysitting.
212 available today | Avg hourly rate: $30.99/hr

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

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Zama $25 per hour for 1 child

Hi there! My name is Zama and I am a nanny, who is dependable and experienced childcare professional with over 7 years of hands-on experience caring for children of all ages, including infants, toddlers, school age children, and teenagers. While earning my Business degree at City College of San Francisco. I worked closely with families, helping not only with childcare but also with keeping busy households running smoothly. From preparing meals, grocery shopping, running errands, to driving children to school and activities, planning schedules and helping with homework, I became someone families could rely on. I would describe myself as patient, flexible, resourceful and calm under pressure. Every child is different, and I enjoy getting to know their unique personalities while supporting their growth and independence. My goal is simple: to be someone parents can trust and someone their kids feel happy, safe and excited to spend time with.

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Toshaleza
Booked by 2 repeat families
4 reviews
$30 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 2 families in Berkeley, CA

Hi, my name is Toshaleza (pronounced TOE-SHUH-LAY-ZUH) and most people call me Tosha. I was born and raised in California into a huge extended family and having always had a way with babies and small children, I was the kid that happily babysat my younger cousins and family friends for free (until my mom insisted I start charging for my services😄). Professionally, I have worked with children for 28 years (8 as a Montessori preschool teacher and 20 as a nanny). As a nanny I have had the pleasure of working with 4 great families caring for 9 amazing children and 1 really cool dog. I was with the first family for 7 years (the children were 11 y/o, 6 y/o, and 4 1/2 m/o when I started), the second family for 9 months (the children were 2 1/2 y/o and 3 w/o when I started), the third family for 2 years (the child was 2 y/o when I started), and the fourth family for 10 years (the children were 4 y/o, 1 y/o, in utero, and their dog was 6 y/o when I started). I just completed a 3 month temporary engagement as a Mother’s helper with a wonderful family (supporting the mom with their premature newborn twins). So, I am open to short term or long term positions and have worked with children from newborn to teens. I am kind, conscientious, loving, patient, respectful, organized, reliable, observant, communicative, encouraging, consistent, direct, engaging, and playful. I am looking for a part-time (20 - 36 hours per week) nanny position and will be available to start immediately.

“Tosha has been fantastic with our daughter. She brings a balance of real educational background and genuine warmness.”

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Livia
Booked by 1 repeat family
2 reviews
$30 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 3 families in Berkeley, CA

Hello! My name is Livia. I’m a 32-year-old Brazilian childcare provider with over 10 years of experience working with children. My journey started in Brazil volunteering at daycares, church programs, and babysitting for local families. After moving to the USA, I served as an Au Pair for 2 years and have been working as a professional nanny in the Bay Area ever since, including long-term roles with wonderful local families. Currently, I am in a career transition while pursuing my studies, which is why I am focusing on part-time and occasional babysitting jobs. Childcare remains a passion of mine, and I continue to offer reliable, high-quality care to families in the area. I’d love to connect, meet your family, and chat about my background or answer any questions you have about me!

“Livia was my sister's au pair. Given we've known her for a long time, we are closer to her than other sitters. Livia is warm, kind, reliable, and great with kids. She is easy to work with and my girls love her. She can take my kids to museums and outings around the city. She connects with kids and keeps them happy! I would book her again no question!”

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Scout 1 review
$25 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 1 family in Berkeley, CA

Hi there! I’m Scout. I’m a reliable, friendly, and creative caregiver with experience working with kids from toddler age through high school. In addition to my day job as a swim instructor in San Francisco, I’ve taught after-school programs, professionally run Dungeons & Dragons campaigns for children ages 9-16 (and casually for family and friends of all ages), and spent most of last year as a live-in caregiver for two children under 10 before the family moved out of town. I bring patience, empathy, and a love of hands-on learning to every job. Always happy to help with homework, organize crafts and games, or help keep things calm and structured during busy moments. Kids tend to feel comfortable and confident around me, and I take pride in creating a fun, supportive environment for them to learn and grow. I love how so often the littlest humans are the most authentic (and, at times, brutally and hilariously honest) of us all. I’m also a life-long cat lover (I grew up with some incredibly beloved kitties back home in NYC, and I currently have a sweet boy who loves spending his evenings switching between my roommates and my rooms for snuggles), and am always happy to help out with kitties. I’m also happy to help out with chores around the house or running errands, as I get that having a few extra tasks off your plate can make a day far less overwhelming. When I’m not working with kids or giving swimming lessons, you can find me planning my next big hike (I recently completed the Appalachian Trail), reading, spending time with my family, or working on a new D&D campaign.

“We absolutely love having Scout care for our kids. They are incredibly energetic, playful, and fully engaged. As a swim instructor, they confidently swim with the kids and actively teach them, which has been amazing for building both skills and confidence. They also jump right into imaginative play—Barbies, LEGOs, and creative games—and love getting outside for hikes and adventures. Our kids adore them, and we always felt they were safe, happy, and having so much fun. We would highly recommend Scout to any family looking for someone active, trustworthy, and genuinely great with kids.”

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Nataliya
Booked by 1 repeat family
1 review
$25 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 1 family in Berkeley, CA

I really enjoy spending time with kids and keeping them busy with fun, creative activities. I like playing games, doing arts and crafts, and painting. I speak Ukrainian and Russian fluently, and I also speak intermediate English.

“I highly recommend Nataliya! She spent quality time painting and doing puzzles with our child, took them to the library, and made sure they were well-fed and engaged throughout the day. Nataliya was warm, attentive, and caring, and we would happily have her babysit for us again.”

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

  • Average hourly rate for 1 child: $30.99
  • 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.

2,517 sitters background checked in Berkeley, CA

5.0 average star rating from total of 30,100 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

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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 $30.99 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.

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