Find an emergency babysitter in North Hollywood, CA

Welcome! My name is Kat - I am pleased to make your virtual acquaintance. Please make sure and scroll to the bottom for my posted policies. My experience as a seasoned executive assistant in both New York City and Los Angeles' entertainment industries translates wonderfully into the world of childcare. An adaptive, organized and resourceful professional, who is great at anticipating needs and juggling multiple priorities simultaneously, my experience as a sitter is advanced and extensive with children starting as young as less than 2 weeks old. Via Urbansitter I have done everything from simple date night sitting to a 24-hr overnight booking with both parents out of town. Growing up in the Chicagoland area as the older sister to a younger brother and sister, I have enjoyed looking after children most of my life (I worked my first summer nanny job for a 2 year old at age 15!). Friends, family, employers and even complete strangers are always touched by my way with children. What can I say, I am a child at heart! Like children, I am imaginative, playful and always curious to learn more. I immerse myself in the arts and healthful living (cooking, especially) and am eager to share and enjoy culture with your child(ren). I respect and embrace my families' household traditions and/or approaches whether its following RIE parenting, incorporating vocab whenever possible from a second language spoken in the home or helping keep a kosher kitchen. Hiring me is about so much more than "watching" your child(ren). I will stimulate their imagination(s) and explore their interests, contributing to their curiosity and ambition. I am most proud of my results expanding children's palates, vocabulary and autonomy (from separation anxiety) to help them reach developmental goals and milestones. Thank you for your time and consideration. TDAP vaccinated 10/17 Lifeguard, CPR, first aid, AED certified 8/17 FUN FACTS ABOUT ME: -I am currently pursing TV writing on spec, but when I first joined Urbansitter I balanced babysitting with fulltime work as a Producer's Assistant working in TV and Film development and production. Sometimes my job and childcare overlap, like the time I accompanied a boss's 3 children (ages 2-7) on an 18+ hr international flight. - I graduated with a BA in Television/Radio/Film (Newhouse) and Women's Studies (College of Arts and Sciences) from Syracuse University. At SU I was involved with many organizations, including the alpha chapter of Gamma Phi Beta sorority. - In the summer of 2015 I adopted Garçon, a young bichon frise-miniature poodle mix. I was pleasantly surprised how much my work with toddlers helped me to train him. He loves children and has successfully joined me on numerous bookings, should you want a special playdate with your child(ren) and him. - I play recreational soccer in a charity league and enjoyed being a "Soccer Nanny" escorting one of my charges to his all-day soccer tournaments. - In the fall of 2013 I completed a 12-performance/month-long run of a local, independent production of the broadway musical, Urinetown: The Musical - For fun, I study musical improv, improv and sketch comedy writing at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatres (LA and NYC). I am eager to take a class at the Groundlings Theater. - I am self-taught on the piano, ever since my early childhood when my grandmother used to pay me a dollar for every song I learned. I am currently teaching myself the ukelele. - I enjoy creative writing, dancing and photography whenever (and wherever!) inspiration strikes. I am actively working on both a screenplay and tv pilot, taking classes at the Writing Pad. - One of my favorite adventures around SoCal is whale watching: I have seen blue and gray whales --as well as dolphins and sea lions-- off of Newport Beach. - I lived for 6 months in London, traveling extensively throughout the UK and Europe, utilizing my fluency (at the time) in French whenever I could. I do have a couple of families in which French is their children's first and only language and I help them learn English. I? am currently learning Spanish via app Duolingo. - In high school I had an impressive resume of vocal and theater work. I was a member of 7 choirs, including one that toured nursing homes and convalescence centers; received honors in solo and ensemble vocal competitions; was a professional cantor in Chicago; performed in several musicals and musical reviews; was selected for the make-up and costume department for Illinois All-State Theater (The Pirates of Penzance) and attended the renowned Interlochen Arts Camp for voice. - My older brother is a Veterinarian currently at Chicago's Shedd Aquarium and Abbott Oceanarium (before that he was at the Columbus Zoo)! Growing up, he always had a menagerie of pets. - My father is an Editor at The Chicago Tribune. For most of my life he worked there as a criminal courts reporter. 2016 marked 30 years with the Trib. POLICIES, please note: - My $25/hr rate is reflective of my certifications, professional resume and experience as a "fixer nanny" or "pitch-hitter nanny" when families are traveling to LA without a nanny, parents are away on business trips, nannies are ill or otherwise unable to work and/as "Camp Kat" during school holidays, closures, vacations and for parties or daycares. - I am happy to interview/speak in advance of a booking free of charge via Facetime/Skype, phone or text. For in-person interviews I require a minimum of one hour at my hourly rate but a working interview for closer to my minimum hours (see next bullet) in duration is preferred when possible. - I ask for 4 hrs minimum for any booking. This allows me to honor first-come bookings that are shorter than my average 6-hour bookings and justify commuting expenses. - In keeping with CA employment law, I charge time and a half ($37.50) for overtime hours which are defined as any hours additional to 8 consecutive hours of work. For example, a 10 hr day would be $200 for 8 hrs + $75 for the add'l 2. - I do not consent to be filmed by any recording device, hidden or in plain sight. All cameras must be disclosed. - I ask that any/all parking fees be covered should complimentary parking not be available. - I charge mileage (#miles clocked x $0.58), in keeping with CA law for 2019, in addition to my hourly rate for any driving done under your charge (excluding my commute). - Should my commute exceed 10 mi one-way I ask that families reimburse me the CA mileage rate per additional mile round trip. I calculate the mileage in advance for parents’ approval by averaging google maps routes and always share my calculations. For example, if the average mileage to a destination is 14 miles I would charge for the additional 8 miles (4 each way) and multiply that by $0.58= $4.64 commuting fee. - I ask for advance notice of any illness in your home and reserve the right to cancel should I deem myself at risk of catching something highly serious or contagious in nature. Children that are not vaccinated must be disclosed. - Since my work day often requires that I schedule around personal commitments or other booking requests, I ask for payment in full for the time frame you reserve even if you return home early or push the booking back to a later start time, thus a shorter duration, less than 48 hours prior. This applies to reschedules. - Since I often have to turn down booking requests for an existing booking, I ask for 48 hrs notice for any and all cancellations. If your cancellation is less than 48 hrs, but more than 12 hrs I request payment for half the booking. For 12 hrs or less I ask that you provide payment in full within the week. A rescheduled booking does not exempt you from payment of a cancellation fee. - I frequently work in hotels/Airbnbs/etc. Since options are often very limited in these scenarios I ask that water, snacks - and meals if the booking falls during a meal time - be made available to me. - I am severely allergic to guinea pigs, rabbits and horses. if you have them in your home it may, unfortunately, not be a good fit. I have very mild allergies to dogs and cats, but am v. happy to work with them so long as fur on the furniture and carpeting is minimal. Pets love me.

*I have 15 months' experience as a nanny for a family Los Angeles. It was a positive, loving, respectful, and all-around fun household, and I was lucky to be a part of their family for so long! I cared for a girl and a boy (now aged 2 and 4) from 7am-4pm, Monday-Friday, driving them to and from preschool, took them to the library for story time, walked to the park with the double stroller, baked and cooked with them, worked with them in the vegetable garden, and provided consistency with the family's potty training approach. I also facilitated mealtimes, naptime, and often bathtime and bedtime as well. I adopted the family's conflict resolution strategies as my own, because they work well for everybody involved. (Stopped when I moved.) *In 2016-17, I was a part-time sitter for a 10-/11-year old girl with ADHD (I have ADHD too, so it was easy to empathize with her and practice strategies.) I picked her up from after-care, made dinner, helped with homework, and tried my best to be a positive presence in her life. (Stopped when her family moved.) ~ About me ~ *I am upbeat, curious, and try to practice empathy with all the humans I meet. *I am a Certified Holistic Nutritionist, so I'm happy to support your family in eating well (whatever that means for you—I'm not judgy!), e.g., helping cook/meal prep/etc. (If you'd like personalized nutrition support, we can arrange a separate consultation). *I have 2 rescue dogs and love dog walking, so I'd be happy to care for your pups, too! *I studied Biology and graduated in 2012 (Occidental College, LA, CA), then traveled a lot: walking a 400-mile pilgrimage in Spain, a mission trip to Haiti, and volunteering on organic farms in Japan and the UK. *I spent the summer of 2014 as a tour guide in the southwest US National Parks for French-speaking tourists. *In 2014-15 I was a certified Wilderness First Responder, including Pediatric and Adult CPR/First Aid training. ~ My approach with kids ~ *I like singing songs and lullabies, either the old standards or sometimes improvised lyrics that suit the situation ;) I love Raffi and other silly songs, plus some Disney soundtracks—Mary Poppins, Moana—and whatever else happens to be in my mental jukebox that day. (And though everyone else is sick of "Baby Shark," I still enjoy it!) *Kids and nature are made for each other: I will try and spend as much time outside as possible. *I would also enjoy teaching your children my favorite French nursery songs!

Hello parents! My expertise ranges from newborns, to school aged children, and occasionally preteens. I know how to change diapers and make bottles to prepare healthy snacks and play while learning. From my experiences with children, it seems to me that children tend to easily bond with me as I am fun while providing a sense of trust and security. Family life is my passion as my own family means a lot to me. *I would gladly appreciate if you send me message first describing your needs. I can accept the job without a phone interview should we exchange messages with all the details. Ps.s. Last minute cancelations made within 6 hours of the start time would require payment for three hours of my time.

Hello! My name is Cassandra and I'm 32 years old. I graduated from San Francisco State University in 2016, with a major in Technical and Professional Writing. I'm originally from LA and I moved back once I graduated. I currently work in Finance as an EA. I've been working with kids since I was 15 years old. I've worked with kids mostly between the ages of 2 and 8. I'm extremely patient with kids and I definitely know how to keep them busy. I have some experience with toddlers but not a ton. I am a fast learner though. : )

Hi parents! A little about me: I'm an independent visual artist, musician, and dancer, and I like to write, read, study languages, spend time with animals, and travel. I graduated with a BA from University of San Francisco in 2014, as a Media Studies major with Spanish and Gender Studies minors. I am vaccinated for COVID-19 and promptly receive booster vaccinations. I have tons of experience with kids! I have used UrbanSitter since 2012, and have had the opportunity to work with kids of all ages - particularly infants as young as 3 months, toddlers, and 3-to-5-year olds. I’m great with older kids as well - in the past I have also coached cheerleading to ages 6-14, worked as a lifeguard and swimming instructor for children aged 6 months to 13 years, tutored middle school-aged kids in a variety of subjects, and worked in a candy store swarming with little ones. So I am comfortable and confident in babysitting for all ages! I am also CPR, First Aid, and Lifeguard certified. I am well-versed in composting/recycling and other environmental concerns, and am happy to teach children about eco-friendly practices. And most importantly - I love being around kids (and animals)! My favorite activities to do with kids are that of the artistic and adventurous variety...I am happy to spend an afternoon watercolor painting, exploring a new park, making crafts, baking vegan cookies, or navigating a museum. The more engaging the better - if it's a nice day I'd rather be outside taking a walk or traipsing on the beach! I am dedicated to nurturing your child's curiosity, creative-thinking, and adventurous spirit - as these are qualities in myself that I am happy to have harnessed at a young age. I am looking forward to hearing from you! Please contact me with any questions you may have!