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.

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253 available babysitters in Berkeley, CA

Families in Berkeley turn to UrbanSitter for emergency and same-day babysitting.
219 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.

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

Hi Families! My name is Alisa, and I’m excited to connect with families looking for a caring, responsible, and dependable babysitter. I’m currently available for weekend babysitting, occasional evening/date night care, and extra hours when needed. I am a reliable sitter with over 5 years of experience working with children. I truly enjoy creating a safe, supportive, and fun environment where children feel comfortable, encouraged, and cared for. I have experience caring for children of different ages and understand the importance of patience, communication, and adapting to each child’s individual needs. My Experience & Qualifications: * Over 5 years of childcare experience * Providing safe, attentive, and engaging care for children * Helping with daily routines such as meals, homework, bedtime routines, and organization * Engaging in fun and educational activities including reading, arts & crafts, games, outdoor play, and creative activities * Certified tutor with experience helping children academically and building confidence * Comfortable caring for multiple children * Experience working in healthcare and hospital settings Safety & Certifications: * CPR & First Aid certified * Fully vaccinated, including COVID-19 and flu vaccinations * TB tested * Non-smoker * Pet friendly * Fluent in English and Vietnamese I would love the opportunity to learn more about your family and how I can best support your childcare needs. Please feel free to reach out, I’d be happy to chat and provide any additional information or references. Thank you!

“Alisa helped mostly with our 2-then-3 year old daughter, and a bit with our 1-year old son. She was always punctual and our daughter always looked forward to their time together.”

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Malissa
Booked by 10 repeat families
14 reviews
$30 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 18 families in Berkeley, CA

Hi! I’m Malissa — a reliable, flexible babysitter with 10+ years of experience. I’m 32, have my own car, and work with several wonderful families on both a weekly and occasional basis. I offer date night, overnight, and travel care, as well as pet and house-sitting. I work fully remote Monday–Friday (8–5), which allows me to help with school pickups, bring kids home, and keep them safe and engaged while I finish my workday. I’m happy to work from your home with Wi-Fi and a place to sit—this setup works great for the families I currently support. I’ve cared for children ages 0–17 and can help with homework, meals, light tidying, bedtime routines, and pet care—while making sure your kids are safe, happy, and well cared for. I accept Apple Pay, Zelle, check, and cash, and ask that payment be made by the time I leave. Overnight and travel care are available with custom rates, and I request toll reimbursement when applicable. I love building long-term relationships with families and look forward to meeting you! Warmly, Malissa

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Makahi
Booked by 32 repeat families
52 reviews
$30 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 81 families in Berkeley, CA

I’ve been on UrbanSitter for the past 6 years, and working with kids is something I truly love. Whether it’s playing games, helping with homework, or just being a positive and caring presence, I enjoy building meaningful connections with the families I work with.

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Anna Forrest
Booked by 8 repeat families
10 reviews
$32 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 19 families in Berkeley, CA

I am an experienced childcare provider with five years of experience as a preschool teacher, and five years of experience as a nanny in families homes. I love to plan fun art activities, spend time outside exploring the natural world and teaching kids the names of different plants, and reading stories. I am currently enrolled in an herbal medicine program and am looking for part time work. I have an Early Childhood Education Associate Teacher certificate from Merritt College as well as a bachelors degree in Gender Studies from Mills College.

“Forrest is totally trustworthy. Would recommend her to everyone!”

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Diamond
Booked by 2 repeat families
4 reviews
$26 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 5 families in Berkeley, CA

Hi families! I’m Diamond, a proud Bay Area native and someone who has always had a natural love for caring for children. While I currently work in the legal field, caring for children has remained a meaningful part of my life for over 15 years, and it’s something I genuinely look forward to doing in my evenings and weekends. My experience with children started at a young age as a babysitter and grew into working for daycares and becoming a personal nanny for several wonderful families while I was in college. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to care for children from newborns all the way through their teenage years, and I truly enjoy getting to know each child and learning what makes them feel comfortable, happy, and cared for. Since 2019, I’ve also had the privilege of serving as a Special Court Advocate (CASA) for abused and neglected foster youth in the San Francisco Bay Area. Being a CASA has strengthened my passion for advocating for children and has taught me the importance of patience, compassion, consistency, and creating a safe space where children feel heard and valued. One of my favorite things about childcare is watching children grow and being someone they can feel comfortable around. In fact, many of the children I’ve cared for over the years have become like family to me. I don’t take that trust lightly. I believe in treating every child the way I would want my own children to be treated—with kindness, patience, respect, and genuine care. I also understand that every family is different. I’m happy to follow the routines and guidelines that are important to you, whether that means sticking to a bedtime routine, limiting screen time, accommodating dietary restrictions or allergies, helping with homework, or simply making sure your little one has a fun and engaging evening. My goal is for parents to feel completely comfortable and confident when they leave their children in my care. You shouldn’t have to wonder if your children are safe, happy, or being well cared for; I want you to have peace of mind knowing they’re in good hands. I would love the opportunity to become a trusted part of your family’s support system and, most importantly, to make sure your little ones feel safe, seen, and cared for while you’re away. ❤️

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

  • Average hourly rate for 1 child: $31.06
  • Average hourly rate for 2 children: $36.87
  • Typical job length: 4.8 hours
  • Most requested times: Morning

As of November 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.

2,523 sitters background checked in Berkeley, CA

5.0 average star rating from total of 29,955 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 November 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.

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