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.

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121 available babysitters in Palo Alto, CA

Families in Palo Alto turn to UrbanSitter for emergency and same-day babysitting.
81 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.

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Jessica
Booked by 19 repeat families
30 reviews
$50 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 51 families in Palo Alto, CA

Hello Parents! My name is Jessica, and I’m an experienced, caring, and reliable nanny with 7 years of experience working with children of all ages. Legally authorized to work .I specialize in creating a fun, safe, and nurturing environment while supporting children’s development through engaging activities and structured routines. My journey began in 2019 in Connecticut, where I worked with two wonderful families. I cared for three children—two boys (ages 4 and 7) and a girl (8 years old)—for six months, and then transitioned to a second family with four kids, including 3-year-old twins, a 9-year-old boy, and an 11-year-old girl. After moving to California, I spent 1 year and 6 months caring for two lovely girls, aged 4 and 7. And after that I had the opportunity to care for a baby girl, starting when she was 11 months old until she was 1 year and 7 months and with the same family I worked caring for their second daughter from 4 months to 2 years old. ✔️ My skills :Time management , Creative Planning, Emergency response, Excellent Communication skills, Problem Solving, Proactive,Patient . Services I offer : ✅ Last minute nanny service ( save my contact for future work) ✅ Overnight, house sitting and weekends . ( if you need help in a party too) ✅ Errand running & household organization ✅ House assistant services (Google suite experience,schedule appointments , and others ) I’m passionate about helping children grow, learn, and thrive, and I’d love to bring my experience to your family. Looking forward to connecting! Thank you!

“Jessica was great with our 10 month old! She was on time and followed his schedule perfectly. I would definitely hire her again for future baby-sitting. ”

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natalie
Booked by 44 repeat families
53 reviews
$30 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 83 families in Palo Alto, CA

Hello, my name is Natalie. I am a part-time college student, EMT, and responsible childcare professional with 6 years of experience. I love working with children of all ages. Fluent in English, Spanish, and American Sign Language. Certified in CPR, First Aid, and BLS. I am also vaccinated against Covid-19 (+boosted) and flu. Feel free to message if you have any questions. :)

“Came up with some adorable activities to do with my kid”

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Kimiro
Booked by 6 repeat families
10 reviews
$45 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 7 families in Palo Alto, CA

After working as a nanny for four years during and after my undergrad at UCSD, I moved back home to the Bay Area and began employment at a specialized school for children on the with profound autism. My Human Development degree gave me a strong foundation in child development theories, while my work experience has given me a wealth of behavioral management strategies. Both allow me to create the most supportive and caring environment I can for the children I have the pleasure to care for. I am registered with Trustline and CPR/First Aid certified.

“Kimiro is dependable and hardworking, and was an asset to our household. She prepared lunches, did the dishes, went grocery shopping, and played with our two children (ages three and five). She also helped with additional household chores like laundry, folding, and putting away toys. We highly recommend Kimiro!”

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Guadalupe
Booked by 5 repeat families
8 reviews
$40 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 10 families in Palo Alto, CA

Hello, my name is Guadalupe and I am currently offering child care, senior care and household care services. I love taking care of children as young as newborns. I have been taking care of children since I was 15. I love to do activities with the children and interact with them. I can also assist with household chores and or errands. I am a very well organized and detailed person. I have received both of my Covid shots along with my booster. If you have any other questions please feel free to ask!

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Catia
Booked by 4 repeat families
5 reviews
$31 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 9 families in Palo Alto, CA

Hi! My name is Catia — I’m 25 years old and based in Palo Alto. I have several years of experience working with children from infants and toddlers through elementary school, both in private homes and educational settings. I currently work as an Infant & Toddler Teacher Assistant at a children’s center, where I help provide a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment for young children. Alongside my childcare experience, I’ve worked as a nanny and babysitter for multiple families, caring for children as young as 4 months through elementary school. I love creating fun, engaging, and safe environments where kids can learn, play, and feel comfortable being themselves. I’m also CPR and First Aid certified, bilingual in Spanish, and experienced in supporting children with different learning and behavioral needs. Families describe me as responsible, kind, and dependable, and I truly enjoy building positive relationships with both kids and parents. I’d love the opportunity to bring that same care and energy to your family! -Catia :)

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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: $37.14
  • 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.

1,273 sitters background checked in Palo Alto, CA

5.0 average star rating from total of 10,496 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

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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?

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.

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