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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255 available babysitters in Berkeley, CA

Families in Berkeley turn to UrbanSitter for emergency and same-day babysitting.
234 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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Devin
Booked by 2 repeat families
4 reviews
$32 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 3 families in Berkeley, CA

Hey 👋🏽 I’m Devin, a dedicated and compassionate caregiver with a unique background that blends professional leadership and hands-on childcare experience. I’ve spent the past few months coaching middle school basketball, where I mentor 6th, 7th, and 8th-grade girls and help them build confidence, teamwork, and resilience. Before that, I honed my leadership and organizational skills over 9.5 years in the tech industry as a Product Support and Customer Care Manager. In addition to my professional experience, I’ve spent over four years as a Camp Coach and Gym Director at Legarza Sports Camps, working with children of all ages to foster their growth and development in a safe, fun, and nurturing environment. I was also the JV Head Coach at Marin Catholic High School for two years, further solidifying my ability to connect with kids and teens while encouraging them to reach their full potential. Beyond my formal roles, I’m often the go-to babysitter for friends and family, caring for children from infancy to their teenage years. I bring a warm, caring, and engaging personality that puts people of all ages at ease, so much so that even strangers feel comfortable sharing their stories with me. Whether working with kids, teens, or seniors, I approach caregiving with empathy, patience, and a sense of fun. I love creating meaningful connections and tailoring my approach to meet each individual’s unique needs. From planning engaging activities for children to offering companionship and support to seniors, I take pride in making those I care for feel valued and comfortable. I bring a diverse set of skills, including cooking, cleaning, basketball training, and even website consulting, but I’m always open to discussing and adapting to meet the unique needs of your loved ones. If you’re looking for someone who combines reliability, kindness, and a natural ability to connect, I’d be honored to help care for your loved ones 🤗

“Devin was excellent. She was a great communicator and the kids were drawn to her from the moment they met her. She ensured they cleaned up all their stuff as we asked so when we returned we had sleeping children and a spotless house. We will definitely be having her back again soon! ”

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Kathryn
Booked by 17 repeat families
30 reviews
$25 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 42 families in Berkeley, CA

Hello, my name is Kathryn! I'm a Mental Health Counselor at an elementary school in Oakland where I provide trauma-focused therapy. I completed my Master of Social Work at NYU in 2022, and prior to grad school, I was a kindergarten teacher for 7 years. I love exploring and learning with kids, and my teaching experience was focused on combining social and emotional wellness with project-based, exploratory learning. I am patient and love having fun with kids, but am also confident in setting clear boundaries and expectations that ensure safety and comfort are always the top priorities. I've worked extensively with children and adults with special needs as well, and am comfortable communicating in various ways to suit individual styles and abilities. I play the harp in my free time and am passionate about fostering creativity through music and art with young children. I also love being outdoors and led a nature club at school for a number of years, so I'm always looking for opportunities for kids to be scientists and learn from the world around them.

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Sarah
Booked by 3 repeat families
5 reviews
$35 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 8 families in Berkeley, CA

Hello! I’m a kind, calm, reliable, and punctual teacher with a true passion for working with children. I have extensive experience caring for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children, and I bring both warmth and professionalism to every family I support. I’m also regularly booked through BPN, where I have ongoing relationships with many families. Select BPN Testimonials: 1. “Hello BPN Community - I would like to recommend Sarah who is available as an evening / weekend babysitter! We’ve had a wonderful experience with Sarah. She is incredibly engaging with our 3 year old, always coming prepared with age-appropriate activities, books, and creative ways to keep her interested. She also moves comfortably between caring for our preschooler and infant daughters, handling the transitions with ease. Her calm, steady presence makes our whole household feel more relaxed when Sarah is around. She communicates clearly with us, while she's at home with us and in between sessions if there are any logistics to align on. Most importantly, she’s been very reliable—showing up on time and ready to jump in every single visit. We’re grateful to have her support and would highly recommend her to any family looking for a thoughtful, capable, and trustworthy babysitter during evenings and weekends.” 2. “We'd love to recommend our babysitter Sarah. What we appreciate most is that Sarah is an experienced educator. She brings games and thoughtful, educational activities that keep our child engaged, learning, and having fun.” Education & Experience I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Development with a concentration in Early Childhood Development. With years of hands-on experience, I understand the importance of nurturing the whole child—emotionally, socially, and intellectually. I pour my heart into helping each child grow into a confident, compassionate human being ready to thrive in the world. Certifications First Aid & CPR Certified Full Background Check Clearance A Little More About Me In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my three incredible daughters, as well as photography, concerts, trying new cuisines, and spoiling my sweet cat. Let’s Connect! I would love the opportunity to support your family and provide a safe, loving, and enriching environment for your child. I look forward to connecting with you soon! I look forward to working with you! – Sarah Scope of Care Bookings focus on childcare

“We absolutely loved Miss Sarah! From the very beginning, she was so kind, thoughtful, and genuinely interested in getting to know our children. Before she even arrived, she asked about each child’s interests and came prepared with a whole collection of books she thought they would enjoy. What really touched me was that she knew our toddler might have a hard time when we left, so she intentionally wore a giraffe shirt because she knew giraffes were her favorite animal. It was such a sweet and thoughtful gesture! You can immediately tell that Miss Sarah has a natural gift for working with children. She was warm, confident, experienced, and completely comfortable with all three of our kids. She also sent us photo updates throughout the evening, which we really appreciated. We felt completely at ease leaving our children in her care. She truly went above and beyond, and we will absolutely be booking her again. We couldn’t recommend her more highly!”

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Jade
Booked by 2 repeat families
3 reviews
$30 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 3 families in Berkeley, CA

Hello! My name is Jade. I am 25 years old and currently completing my bachelor’s degree in Cognitive Science at UC Berkeley, with plans to pursue a PhD. While I’m new to the UrbanSitter platform, I bring extensive experience working with children across various age groups and needs, including roles as a: - Group Counselor at Roughing It Day Camp in Lafayette - Preschool Teacher at Mission Montessori in San Francisco - Certified ABA Therapist for a neurodivergent young adult Certifications & Logistics: - CPR/AED Certified (Infants & Children) - Advanced Infant & Childcare Training Certified - Valid Driver’s License with a clean driving record My Babysitting Style: While I am comfortable with movies or occasional screen time, I am very intentional when it comes to tech use and am a big proponent of tech-free play and outdoor play. I love arts and crafts and using the imagination to explore! :) Whether you need a last minute babysitter or to plan something in advance, I would be happy to help and promise that your little one will be well taken care of!

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Olivia
Booked by 33 repeat families
58 reviews
$25 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 86 families in Berkeley, CA

Hello 👋🏾 My name is Olivia. I’m 26 years old and im a student at Laney College planning to get my degree in physical education. I have been working with children between the ages of 2months to 13 years of age for about 10 years and I love it! I am currently employed at the Downtown Oakland YMCA as a childcare provider as well as A para educator for OUSD. Hopefully I can be a great fit for you and your family.

“She was amazing and flexible. The kids loved her.”

Live near a college or university? View babysitters by college

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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.

2,516 sitters background checked in Berkeley, CA

5.0 average star rating from total of 30,088 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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