Oakland 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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Families in Oakland 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.
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!”
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! ”
Hi families! I'm María, an Elementary Teacher from Spain with over 12 years of experience working with children of all ages—from newborns to teens. Over the years, I’ve been a babysitter, camp counselor, activity leader, and spent a wonderful year as an au pair here in California—an experience that made me fall in love with the Bay Area, where I now live! I’m passionate about creating a positive, safe, and fun environment where kids feel happy, supported, and free to be themselves. Whether it’s playing, helping with homework, guiding routines, or simply being a caring presence, I always adapt to each child’s needs and personality. Fluent in both Spanish and English, I love to bring creativity, communication, and even a little language learning into our time together. I'm also happy to help with light housekeeping, meal prep, and anything that makes your family’s day smoother. If you're looking for someone experienced, warm, and genuinely dedicated to kids of all ages, I’d love to meet you!
“Maria was incredibly warm and kind. She stepped in last-minute when our regular caregiver canceled just an hour before and showed up right on time, which we really appreciated. She connected with my toddler right away and they had a great time together. She helped smoothly with our morning routine, including getting our child to preschool. She also supported with transportation and helped carry everything we needed to get him to school, which meant a lot since I’m not allowed to lift anything during my high-risk pregnancy. Maria made me feel completely comfortable having someone new in our home. Her energy is calm and reassuring, and it’s clear she has a lot of experience, both as a mom of three and as a teacher. I would absolutely recommend her, especially since she’s local and reliable.”
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!”
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.
All UrbanSitter babysitters are background checked every year. Profiles are individually reviewed by our Trust and Safety team.
"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
"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
"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
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Share your needs and hear from available sitters.
To sign up with Facebook, we need permission to use your email address.
Sharing your friends list is optional, and allows us to connect you with sitters they book and recommend. Nothing will be shared or posted.
See which babysitters have been hired by parents in your Oakland neighborhood, school, or parenting group.
Average response times for last-minute requests are under two minutes in most areas.
Every babysitter completes an annual background check, offering peace of mind when you need it most.
Read reviews from local families, see repeat family counts, and compare profiles before you choose.
Ideas for when there is an emergency and you need a sitter today.
A printable card to leave with your sitter in case of an emergency.
