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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.

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108 available babysitters in Palo Alto, CA

Families in Palo Alto 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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Caitlyn
Booked by 13 repeat families
10 reviews
$30 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 24 families in Palo Alto, CA

Hello! I’m Caitlyn, a childcare professional with over 13 years of experience. I hold a bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a minor in Early Childhood Education from Sonoma State University. Currently, I work as a Site Supervisor for Hillsborough Recreation’s Aftercare program, and I’ve had the opportunity to work at various recreation centers over the years. I’ve also been a nanny for five families, caring for children aged 2 to 13, and have experience with newborns and infants, along with roles as a summer camp counselor. I’m reliable, patient, CPR certified, and fully vaccinated (including the COVID booster). I’m available for occasional date night and weekend childcare. Feel free to reach out with any questions—I’d love to assist your family!

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Mariana
Booked by 11 repeat families
15 reviews
$35 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 24 families in Palo Alto, CA

Hi - My name is Mariana and I’m looking for a 2 part time, weekdays, one in the morning one afternoon, open for a full time was well, and babysitting. I love working with kids and have experience caring for children from 6 months to 11 years old. I’m comfortable with everything from diaper changes to preparing meals, and I bring a mix of fun and learning to our time together — reading stories, coloring, puzzles, going to the park, and even the occasional dance party. I’m responsible, organized, and genuinely enjoy spending my days with kids. I’m CPR certified, a strong swimmer, fully vaccinated, and a safe driver.

Mariana is an excellent babysitter. She is extremely professional and courteous. She’s experienced, confident, and communicated very well with our five year old daughter who is looking forward to playing with her again. She arrived a few minutes earlier and immediately dove in and engaged with our daughter. We are looking forward to having her babysit our daughter soon.

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Marilyn
Booked by 2 repeat families
7 reviews
$30 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 12 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!

We hired Marilyn twice. One to care for our 10 month old and the other, to care for our cats while we were away. Marilyn was prompt and communicative on both instances. She had a gentle energy which suited our baby and she read to our baby lots which I really liked. With our cats, she had to deal with following detailed instructions because our cats have different needs and feeding requirements. The visit went well and we didn’t have to worry about the pets going hungry while we were away. We would certainly hire Marilyn again!

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Tracey
Booked by 2 repeat families
3 reviews
$45 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 2 families in Palo Alto, CA

Hello!! Thank you for reading my information!! About me...I have two children son 33, daughter 27 I have loved caring for children and have been babysitting since I was 10. When I was 22 I opened a large family day care. That daycare consisted of 14 children from newborn through school age. I did this for 14 years. I loved every minute. We took those children on many adventures, most children stayed with us longterm and could read before kindergarten. During the last few years that I had my daycare I was also going to school to be an ASL interpreter. Taught the children in my care some ASL. Unfortunately had to close the daycare in 2002, sadly the house we were renting was sold. I then went on to work as a nanny with four of the children from two families, one was a newborn, they had attended my daycare, I was their nanny for four years. I decided it was time to go back to school. While attending college I worked in the child nutrition department for an elementary School District. When I realized that college was not my path, I went on to work in upper management with Starbucks, and Whole Foods. For the past 7 years I have been the food service lead for a high school food service department. During that time I babysat in the evenings with multiple families. I was fortunate that when I created my Urbansitter account I was chosen to work with a family of four In Belmont. Caregiving and mother's/father's helper. A Wonderful family with two children. I have been with them now into our 5th year. They're are moving so it is time to share my love with another family. I am comfortable working with children of all ages. I am a very loving, playful and easy going, I am confident in my caregiving and can adapt easily to any situation that may arise. There has not been a child that I cannot work with. My personality...laid back, funny, hard worker, I do not frustrate easy. I love the challenges that come with children. I communicate well and I am very easy to communicate with. My thought has always been "what would I expect for my children" I am an artist and very creative. I have owned and operated MANY businesses, last one being a License Plate art business. I am very excited to finally have re-opened an Urbansiiter account.I hope that between my video and this very long "about" I will have an opportunity to work with your precious family! Cheers!! Tracey

We feel incredibly fortunate to have found Tracey. She is consistently warm, dependable, and exceptionally engaged with our children. Rather than simply supervising them, she actively participates in whatever they're interested in, making them feel heard, valued, and excited to spend time with her. She has a remarkable ability to connect with children with very different personalities and interests. Whether she's taking them on walks, visiting museums, doing crafts, or simply having long conversations about the topics they love, she brings genuine enthusiasm and patience to everything she does. She is also always on time, and is happy to help with other household chores when time permits. The biggest endorsement I can give is that our kids are so genuinely excited when she arrives. As a parent, there's nothing more reassuring than knowing your children are happy, engaged, and cared for by someone who truly enjoys being with them.

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Carmina
Booked by 5 repeat families
8 reviews
$38 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 20 families in Palo Alto, CA

Hiii!! My name is Carmina. I've been working with kids since I was 15. I started by watching my younger nephew and niece, and then began babysitting for kids in my neighborhood. Over the last few years l've worked primarily with babies and toddlers, but I love kids of all ages. Things that I like to do If it's nice out, I like to take the kids outside, go to the park, museums, go for walks or the beach if parents are comfortable with that. I’m a strong swimmer so your kids are always going to be safe with me. But if is not nice outside, I whip out my crafts skills, also love reading to kids, doing puzzles, playing with blocks, dolls or whatever the kids or babies are skill to play. In my free time I like to read, play basketball, a bit of soccer, and tennis! Also going to the beach . Spanish is my first language so I can teach to your kids Spanish. CPR and first aid certificate. Until recently I was taking care of a 21 months old baby full time, I take care of her since she was 7 weeks old. Before her I worked with a family for a year and half with a boy who was 4 months old when I started and was 2 years old when I finished and parents decided to sent him to preschool! two years, before him I work with a 2 years old and a new born. I still babysit for them for date nights or whole weekends if the parents need a break, they kids are now 5, 3 years old a 16 months old baby! I have a clean driving record and I can provide references.

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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.

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

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Find emergency care in Palo Alto

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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?

Babysitting rates in Palo Alto 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.

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