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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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253 available babysitters in Berkeley, CA

Families in Berkeley turn to UrbanSitter for emergency and same-day babysitting.
222 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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Eythana 3 reviews
$28 per hour for 1 child

I managed a childcare department at the YMCA in Redding, CA for 2 years and have worked in childcare and nannying for 8 years, half of that being in the Bay Area. I've worked with all ages from newborn up to teenagers, with an large cluster of those being around ages 4-10. Every age comes with its own delights, challenges, and needs, and I enjoy learning the particularities of what will work for each family and child. I love being active and incorporate movement into my care as much as I can, whether that's playing soccer in the yard, turning on music for a dance party, or going for walks or bike rides. Creative projects are also a big part of my life, and I often bring in crafts and hands-on activities. Drawing a favorite object, making a mosaic out of stones at the park, bringing my latest knitting project as a little show and tell -- there are so many ways to engage creatively! My goal is to make sure every child is safe, happy, and feels engaged with. I grew up in a large, formerly Amish family and have been around and watching kids my whole life. I’m a recent political economy graduate from UC Berkeley, currently doing oral history and linguistic work when I'm not caring for children.

“Eythana is an absolutely fantastic babysitter - extremely experienced and knowledgeable about children, completely reliable, totally professional, and just all-around fantastic. She cared for my son before school on a regular basis when he was in his last year of preschool and in kindergarten (he’s now 8 and in third grade), and she still our favorite sitter and my first call/text when something comes up I need someone to care for my son! My son has a great time with her every time she sits for us, and I know he’s in great hands and doing engaging activities and off screens. I highly, highly recommend her to any family looking for a trusted and experienced sitter who’s absolutely great with kids.”

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Katharine Marie $25 per hour for 1 child

I’m a recent UC Berkeley graduate, 22 years old, with a B.A. in English Literature, and I still live in Berkeley. I’ve grown up in a care-oriented, family-centered household with three younger brothers, and helping to raise them has been a central part of my life. From feeding, dressing, and managing bedtime routines to helping with homework and keeping them entertained, I’ve learned firsthand how to balance responsibility, patience, and fun. That lifelong experience, combined with babysitting for other families, has given me a strong foundation in childcare and a deep appreciation for creating nurturing, safe, and engaging environments for children of all ages. I love being active and outdoors, so I enjoy hiking, running, and exploring new spaces with kids, as well as quiet time reading or telling stories to spark creativity and imagination. Growing up in a busy, caring household has taught me empathy, adaptability, and problem-solving. These are skills that I bring to every family or parent that I work with. I’m comfortable helping with light household tasks, meal prep, homework, and daily routines while keeping children happy, safe, and stimulated. I’m happy to babysit anywhere in the Bay Area and am excited to bring my experience, energy, and love of caregiving to new families. I take pride in building trust with both parents and children and creating a positive, supportive environment where kids can learn, play, and feel cared for.

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Arianna $20 per hour for 1 child

I am a college student currently attending UC Berkeley. I worked as an education facilitator for the Lawrence Hall of Science for a year and a half. I worked with kids of all ages, and it has been the best job that I have had. My main role was to educate kids about various subjects in STEM. But my role was also to make all the children feel safe, comfortable, and included. Seeing smiles on kids' faces or knowing that I taught them something brings me such joy. Working with children has been such an amazing experience, because even though I would teach them about science, I think kids can teach adults a lot of things, too. I am also available to take care of dogs. I've had dogs my whole life, and I absolutely love them. Dogs are so much fun because they require playing and running, which encourages me to also be active.

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Fnu $30 per hour for 1 child

Hi, I’m Payong. I have 2 years of nanny experience and currently work at Silverado Berkeley. I love caring for children and creating a safe, fun, and nurturing environment where they can grow

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Keiko $24 per hour for 1 child

I am a 4th year college student studying Film and Business Administration. While childcare is not my long-term career path, I have always loved working with kids and families and I've been babysitting for families in my neighborhood since I was in high school. I have a warm and bubbly personality, I'm energetic, and love engaging with children through their hobbies and interests. I enjoy portraiture, model-making, and jewelry-making, so I'm great with arts and crafts and creative activities. I'm neat, organized, patient, and happy to help with cooking and cleaning if needed. Additionally, I have pet sitting experience and am comfortable working with/around animals .

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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: $36.85
  • 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 29,965 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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