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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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278 available babysitters in Berkeley, CA

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.

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Phia
Booked by 49 repeat families
97 reviews
$32 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 172 families in Berkeley, CA

Hi! My name is Phia and I would be happy to work with you. I have been working with children professionally since I was 16 but babysat before then. I have worked with children of varying ages, from infants 3 months and older, toddlers, elementary age, all the way up to young teenagers preparing for high school. I graduated from the University of San Francisco with a BA in sociology in May 2022. I now work as a project coordinator supervising youth development and policy at a local non-profit. I still work with babysitting families 1-2 times a week. In the Bay Area, I have worked as an after-school program leader for the YMCA in SFUSD, as well as a classroom aid. Beyond this, I have worked as an interim babysitter and nanny for various families before and during the pandemic. Through my time with the YMCA and other organizations, I have been trained in childhood development and creative education. I enjoy working with kids because it helps me keep in tune with my ability to empathize and stay creative. Children are the expression of a community, so staying in tune with the needs and experiences of youth is better for the community as a whole. Booking and payment policy: Same day cancellation, if you cancel within 4 hours of the booking start time, you are agreeing to pay me 1/2 of lost wages.

Phia is so great with my kids! She and my toddler especially get along great, and she does an awesome job playing with him. Highly recommend.

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Narender
Booked by 6 repeat families
6 reviews
$33 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 8 families in Berkeley, CA

Hi, I’m Narender — “Bella” to little ones. I have several years of experience caring for infants and young children, creating warm, engaging environments where they feel safe, supported, and excited to explore. My approach is responsive and developmentally intentional. Through play, conversation, books, outdoor time, and everyday routines, I support language, motor skills, confidence, curiosity, and growing independence in ways that fit each child’s age and stage. I naturally adapt my energy to each child—whether that means imaginative play, active exploration, or a calm, reassuring presence when extra comfort is needed. I follow each family’s routines and parenting preferences so children feel secure and parents feel confident. Families appreciate my dependable communication, thoughtful follow-through, and genuine engagement with their children. I’m especially well-suited for families seeking consistent daytime, early evening, or weekend support, and I enjoy building lasting relationships with families. Serving: San Francisco • Oakland • Berkeley Additional Notes • 3-hour minimum per booking (longer bookings preferred for evenings and weekends). • Child-focused care, including light tidying of children’s play areas and items used during care.

Narender was so extremely attentive of my little one and immediately made him feel comfortable. He usually requires a little time to open up but I could tell he immediately felt safe with her. She was a rockstar to have watch our little one and I knew he was in great hands almost immediately.

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Erica
Booked by 35 repeat families
48 reviews
$30 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 74 families in Berkeley, CA

Hello! My name is Erica and I've been watching children beginning with my little sister when I was in jr. high. Since then I have babysat children of all ages. I have worked at preschools and have taken classes in early childhood development. I taught my own class of 3 year olds, but have served as an aide in classes ranging from infant to 5 years. I am a fully licensed cosmetologist & work as a hairstylist at a salon in Berkeley. I love children of all ages and they tend to love me. I'm a child at heart and enjoy singing, art, going outside, and just having fun. In my free time, I enjoy reading, watching movies and tv shows, exploring the outdoors, and cooking.

Erica is great! My son took right to her. He was immediately comfortable. She was patient and gentle!

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Paloma
Booked by 23 repeat families
18 reviews
$30 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 35 families in Berkeley, CA

Hello there! My name is Paloma and I have over 25 years of experience working with kids of all ages, from infants to teenagers. I truly love working with all ages in a variety of settings. I worked professionally as an elementary school garden teacher and outdoor educator for many years, and as a nanny for many years as well. I am also the eldest of six siblings, who now have children of their own, so childcare just comes naturally to me. What is most important for me about working with kids is providing a loving space for them to have creative fun and develop a sense of connection. I’m good at everything from imaginative play to homework time to dinner and bed time. I especially love to get outside with kids. Back on Urban Sitter after some years away, always nice to help out here!

Paloma took great care of our 7 mo old daughter, and was prompt, responsive and thoughtful. We’d work with her again!

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Leah
Booked by 8 repeat families
11 reviews
$30 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 15 families in Berkeley, CA

Hi my name is Leah! I am a pediatric mental health nurse and working on obtaining my doctorate to become a nurse practitioner. As a pediatric nurse, I am adept at handling emergency situations and comfortable adapting to behavioral challenges. I have been working with children for over 10 years as a camp counselor and special ed aide in addition to as a nurse. I am looking for occasional babysitting jobs to take on in my spare time and open to working on a semi consistent basis if I am a good fit for your family!

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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.

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?

Babysitting rates in Berkeley 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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