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.

252 available babysitters in Berkeley, CA

Families in Berkeley turn to UrbanSitter for emergency and same-day babysitting.
208 available today | Avg hourly rate: $31.06/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
Valentina
Booked by 12 repeat families
17 reviews
$35 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 20 families in Berkeley, CA

Hi, my name is Valentina and I'm offering child care. I love taking care, playing, teaching and spending time with infants and toddlers. I have a certification in early childhood education and I worked in a school where I did didactic and meaningfu activities for them to develop their motor, cognitive, sensory and communicative skills through play such as painting, singing, dancing, reading and imagining stories, tasting and feeling different textures.

“Super professional and responsive. Was flexible at the last minute and clearly had the kids engaged and having fun (without a screen 😁). 2 boys aged 6 and 8 gave rave reviews. ”

Profile photo
Paveerat
Booked by 81 repeat families
89 reviews
$35 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 170 families in Berkeley, CA

Hi there! 👋 I’m Pearl and if you’re looking for someone who genuinely loves being around kids, you’ve found her. I’ve spent over 20 years working with children in nearly every setting imaginable: summer camps, preschools, two years living with a family as an au pair, and ongoing nanny work. What started as a passion became a calling. Every single stage shaped how I show up for the children in my care, present, patient, and genuinely enthusiastic. What families tell me sets me apart: • I come prepared. Whether it’s a rainy afternoon or a meltdown before naptime, I’m calm, creative, and never at a loss. • I use positive discipline, no yelling, no fear, just connection and clear boundaries. • I treat your home like my own and your routines like law. Your rules are my rules, full stop. • Kids tend to open up to me fast. I think it’s because I take them seriously. I’m currently available for occasional bookings, perfect if you need reliable backup coverage, a regular date night sitter, or someone to step in when life gets busy. I’d love to connect and learn more about your family. Send me a message, I always respond quickly! Pearl

“She kept Jack extremely busy with great games and crafts - was great with my crazy dog too!”

Profile photo
Seraphina
Booked by 9 repeat families
15 reviews
$22 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 25 families in Berkeley, CA

Not currently accepting new families. I Hi my name is Seraphina and I'm a student at Merritt College. I'm currently working as a server and studying to become to a paralegal. I've been babysitting children since I was 14, when I started watching over family friends' children. When I was 15 I started working at Strawberry Canyon Explorer Camp where I worked for 8 years teaching children ages 4-10. At camp I worked with kids one on one as well as in large groups. I've also spent years volunteering in local elementary schools. I love teaching and hope to be an elementary school teacher in a few years. I've primarily worked with kids ages 4-7 but have experience with older as well. I love bringing them outside and teaching them sports, as well as helping them with that tough math problem. In my free time I read a lot, especially comics, and dream about playing lacrosse again. Please note that I have no experience with children younger than 3. Thanks for looking at my profile, I hope to hear from you soon!

Profile photo
Bella
Booked by 2 repeat families
6 reviews
$30 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 9 families in Berkeley, CA

Hi! I’m Bella — a caring, responsible, and energetic sitter with a genuine love for working with children. I have several years of experience caring for kids of all ages, from toddlers to tweens, and I bring patience, creativity, and calmness to every job. I’m dependable and comfortable working with pets too! I aim to create a nurturing, safe, and fun environment where your child feels seen, heard, and supported. Whether you need an occasional date-night sitter or a reliable part-time helper, I’d love to be someone your family can count on.

Profile photo
Manuela
Booked by 43 repeat families
70 reviews
$33 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 96 families in Berkeley, CA

Hi there :) thank you for clicking on my profile! I’ve been working with kids for over 9 years now and I think I can say I've truly found my passion! I have a teaching background and I love to make my work meaningful and mindful, always making sure I’m present for my kids helping them grow and develop as beings. My teaching style leans more towards Waldorf and Montessori and I prefer to work for no screens families (even better if you don’t have TV at home). I’m from Brazil and I speak Portuguese and English fluently. I’m very responsible and proactive, I tend to fix things as I go instead of being asked to do it. I have a CPR certificate and First Aid Training. I play the ukulele and I’m also a certified Music Together teacher, I legit sing ALL THE TIME. If you’re into music we’ll definitely get along! I make sure to always have my ukulele with me for awesome dance parties and music time. I graduated as a Health Coach back in 2020 and I’m now studying Plant Based cuisine. I absolutely love cooking and will have the best time cooking healthy meals for your family and maybe even getting the kids involved in the mess! I also love baking so I might bring a cake to share every now and then! I’m a morning person and love to look at the bright side of things! So I think a big sum up of me would be a mix of music, health, good food and lots of happiness! I like to work for families that value the work I do and care about growing as individuals and learning together. Having a safe environment for open communication is very important to me! Thank you so much for reading my profile :) if you feel like we could be a good match please don’t hesitate to contact me! You can find more info on my cooking schedule on manuelalilliston.com/

“Manuela brought such wonderful energy to our home and was immediately a natural with our kids. My 10 month old warmed up to her right away. She even prepped some food and left the house tidy. Would absolutely work with her again!”

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: $31.06
  • Average hourly rate for 2 children: $36.86
  • 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.

2,521 sitters background checked in Berkeley, CA

5.0 average star rating from total of 30,056 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 $31.06 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