Family with caregiver

Find an emergency babysitter in Palo Alto, CA

Palo Alto families count on UrbanSitter for same-day emergency child care. In most areas, average response time for urgent needs is under two minutes.

Looking for jobs? Apply here.

121 available babysitters in Palo Alto, CA

Families in Palo Alto turn to UrbanSitter for emergency and same-day babysitting.
87 available today | Avg hourly rate: $31.34/hr

Every babysitter on UrbanSitter completes an annual background check, and every profile is individually reviewed by our Trust and Safety team. Learn more.

Profile photo
Fuentes $25 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 1 family in Palo Alto, CA

Hii, I’m Ana, I’m a loving, reliable, and patient nanny with years of experience caring for little ones. I love being part of their growth and creating a safe, fun space where they can learn and feel happy. I’m very active and enjoy spending time outdoors. I can also help with meals and light housekeeping. Since I’m a nutritionist, your kids will always have healthy and balanced meals.

Profile photo
Marilyn
Booked by 3 repeat families
10 reviews
$30 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 17 families in Palo Alto, CA

Hi families! I’m Marilyn! I'm CPR and First Aid certified and have experience caring for kids from toddlers to teens (ages 2–13). I love keeping things fun with outings to the park, library story times, or helping with ballet, swimming, and after-school activities. I’m currently working with a few local families and am happy to help with light errands, dog walks (I’m a big animal lover!), and keeping things tidy around the house. I’m reliable, warm, and always happy to plan ahead especially for date nights or evening babysitting. Looking forward to meeting your family!

Profile photo
Karol
Booked by 4 repeat families
12 reviews
$27 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 24 families in Palo Alto, CA

Hi families! My name is Karol. I’m an experienced babysitter who speaks English and Spanish. I’ve been caring for kids for over 3 years—ranging from 8-month-old babies to 12-year-olds. I’m active, patient, and love doing both outdoor and indoor activities with children. I also offer light housekeeping, pet care, and senior assistance. I’m CPR certified and always make safety a top priority. Looking forward to supporting your family!

“My girls loved Karol”

Profile photo
Tianyi
Booked by 18 repeat families
15 reviews
$40 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 33 families in Palo Alto, CA

Hello Families, My name is Dora. I graduated from the University of Washington and am currently pursuing a Master’s in Teaching and a California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. I come from a family of educators, and working with children has always been an important part of my life. I have extensive experience working with children from infancy through elementary school, including experience as a preschool teacher, substitute teacher, private tutor, and childcare provider. My background in education and childcare has given me a strong understanding of child development, positive guidance, classroom routines, and age-appropriate learning and play. I’m CPR certified and a Certified Positive Discipline Parent Educator, with additional training in autism and neurodiversity. Working with children is something I truly enjoy, especially getting to know each child’s personality and interests. Reading, arts and crafts, outdoor activities, board games, and trips to the park are some of my favorite things to do with kids. Activities can always be adjusted based on the child’s interests and the family’s routine. However, my availability is currently limited, and I’m mainly accepting occasional bookings that are a good mutual fit. BOOKING POLICY: For schedule changes within 48 hours that reduce the booked hours, the original hours are expected to be honored. Thank you for understanding! :) Warmly, Dora

Profile photo
Cagla
Booked by 24 repeat families
39 reviews
$35 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 71 families in Palo Alto, CA

Hello, my name is Cagla. I hold a master’s degree and have been working with children and families since 2013. My experience includes working as an au pair in the U.S. as well as supporting families through after-school educational programs and family-focused care services. I understand the different needs of children at various developmental stages and adapt my approach accordingly, and I consistently receive positive feedback from families for my professionalism, responsiveness, and ability to build trust.

“Cagla has been a repeat babysitter many times for us over the past year for our kids aged 2 and 4. She is punctual, responsive, and has great availability. She even traveled north of SF to babysit during a recent family trip, which gave us great piece of mind since we knew and trusted her already. What stands out about Cagla compared to other other caregivers we've worked with (and why we continue to work with her) is the amount of energy, drive and attention she has in her work with children. She knows what ages various milestones happen (e.g. separation anxiety) and is prepared to handle them. She always asks the important practical questions about routines and schedules, and provides a clear update at the end of the stay. She is warm and plays with our kids on their level, but also very clear with them when they are crossing boundaries they shouldn't. Our children look forward to spending time with her!”

Live near a college or university? View babysitters by college

Children playing together

How much does an emergency babysitter cost in Palo Alto, CA?

  • Average hourly rate for 1 child: $31.34
  • Average hourly rate for 2 children: $37.13
  • Typical job length: 5.0 hours
  • Most requested times: Morning

As of October 2026

Recent babysitter activity in Palo Alto, 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.

1,276 sitters background checked in Palo Alto, CA

4.9 average star rating from total of 10,435 reviews in Palo Alto, 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 Palo Alto

Share your needs and hear from available sitters.

Why families trust UrbanSitter for emergency babysitting

Trusted by Palo Alto families

See which babysitters have been hired by parents in your Palo Alto 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 Palo Alto

How do I find an emergency babysitter in Palo Alto?

Sign up for an UrbanSitter account, then share the date, time, and number of children who need care. Available sitters in Palo Alto can respond, and you can review full profiles before booking.

How much does an emergency babysitter cost in Palo Alto?

As of October 2026, babysitting rates in Palo Alto average $31.34 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 Palo Alto on UrbanSitter background checked?

Yes. Every babysitter on UrbanSitter completes an annual background check, including those in Palo Alto, 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 Palo Alto 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 Palo Alto 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 Palo Alto?

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.

As seen on