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.
Families in Berkeley turn to UrbanSitter for emergency and same-day babysitting.
Every babysitter on UrbanSitter completes an annual background check, and every profile is individually reviewed by our Trust and Safety team. Learn more.
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.”
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.”
Away from the Bay until May 27th! I'll be back and available to book again on 5/27/2026. My CV: sites.google.com/view/minervalerner/cv I'm passionate about childcare and education, and have worked in daycare, preschool, and elementary school and summer camp settings. I've taught and provided care for children ages 2-10; I've also been involved with animals since childhood as a city shelter volunteer and foster caregiver for both cats and dogs. Most recently I've been trained through In-Home Social Services (IHSS) as a live-in caregiver for an elderly adult, assisting in both medical care and daily home maintenance tasks. I'm thoroughly organized (a total neat freak!) and ready to assume a supporting role (having worked as an assistant teacher/caregiver more often than in leading positions). Your little ones' safety and well-being are my top priorities, second only to your own peace of mind – I know how hard it can be to juggle household needs, and I'll take on whatever tasks necessary with enthusiasm!
“Minnie was amazing! ”
Hi,my name is Prudence. I'm a dedicated college student with over 5 years of experience caring for children of various ages. I thoroughly enjoy engaging with them through activities like park outings, playtime, and exploring their interests. My passion lies in nurturing young minds and creating meaningful connections. I also work as a household assistant and can cook, run errands and clean.
“Prudence has taken care of our now 6 year old on and off for 5+ years. She is a very fun, caring and thoughtful care giver and my daughter loved engaging with her. She is a great communicator and easy to work with. ”
Hiya!!!! My name is Ashé (Cyrus) 🤓👋🏾 I’m a calm caregiver with 2+ years of childcare experience with kiddos aged 3–14. I am certified in CPR + First Aid training for children, infants, and adults, Mandated Reporter certified, Registered Behavior Technician, and Physical Safety certified. I’ve got a background in theater so I love jumping into play! Making up stories, going with the flow, matching high energy, or calmly reading are all facets of the environments I like to create. My approach to childcare is compassion-based and neurodiversity-informed and I seek to ensure all kids under my care feel safe, understood, and engaged! Hope to talk soon and please let me know if there are any questions I could answer! 😁
All UrbanSitter babysitters are background checked every year. Profiles are individually reviewed by our Trust and Safety team.
"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
"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
"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
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Share your needs and hear from available sitters.
To sign up with Facebook, we need permission to use your email address.
Sharing your friends list is optional, and allows us to connect you with sitters they book and recommend. Nothing will be shared or posted.
See which babysitters have been hired by parents in your Berkeley neighborhood, school, or parenting group.
Average response times for last-minute requests are under two minutes in most areas.
Every babysitter completes an annual background check, offering peace of mind when you need it most.
Read reviews from local families, see repeat family counts, and compare profiles before you choose.
Ideas for when there is an emergency and you need a sitter today.
A printable card to leave with your sitter in case of an emergency.
