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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105 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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Ksenia
Booked by 1 repeat family
$35 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 1 family in Palo Alto, CA

I left my unfulfilling job to reboot and find a new one. I love creativity and coming up with fun ideas and would be happy to look after your children and pets. I am responsible and follow instructions carefully. **Bookings within 24 hours: $45/hour **

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Iryna
Booked by 4 repeat families
4 reviews
$30 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 6 families in Palo Alto, CA
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Mariana 3 reviews
$25 per hour for 1 child

I’m currently looking for a part-time nanny position starting now. I’m 26 years old and a college student, which gives me a flexible schedule especially during the mornings and summer break, eventually Friday evening and weekends. I naturally connect well with children, especially babies. I’m a peaceful, open-minded, creative, and loving person, and I carry strong values that I love to share through everyday moments. While I don’t plan on doing this job forever, I truly see it as a special chapter in my life. one that I’ll always treasure. I grew up with sitters myself, so stepping into this role feels like a beautiful way to give back. I’m truly grateful for the women who cared for me, they played a big part in shaping who I am today, along with my mom. Because of them, I’ve learned so much, and now I get to pass those lessons on Availability: • Mon-Wed-Thr-Fri (available from early morning to 1:00 pm) • Occasional weekends (available upon discussion) About Me: • Over 6 years of experience caring for babies, toddlers, and young children • Experienced with twins and caring for 3+ kids at a time • CPR & First Aid certified through the American Red Cross (infant, child, and adult) • Fluent in English and Spanish • Reliable, patient, and passionate about early childhood development • Comfortable with diapering, feeding routines, sleep schedules, light meal prep, and tidying up after children I love creating a nurturing, playful, and safe space for children to learn and grow. Some of the things I enjoy doing with kids include: • Arts, crafts, and sensory play • Storytime and music • Outdoor walks, park outings, and games, picnic, hikes • Supporting routines and encouraging independence Preferred Work Locations: Redwood City, Menlo Park San Carlos, Belmont, San Mateo, Burlingame, Hillsborough, San Francisco Rate: Starting at $25/hour for one child (open to discussing depending on number of children and responsibilities) If you think I’d be a good fit for your family, I’d love to connect and share more about myself and my experience. References available upon request!

Mariana has been wonderful with our family. She is reliable, communicative, and always checks in to make sure she’s aligned on what needs to be done. She helps with school pickups, homework, showers, dinner, and generally keeping the kids on track in the evenings. She’s proactive, responsible, and great with the kids! We’ve had a great experience with her!

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Lauren
Booked by 3 repeat families
2 reviews
$35 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 3 families in Palo Alto, CA

I am currently a PhD graduate student at Stanford University, obtaining my degree in stem cell biology. I am offering services with child care, senior care, pet care, and household services. I have 6 years of experience nannying and raising children 4 years of age and older (both boys and girls), with experience babysitting toddlers aged 2 and up. I love spending time with kids on activities and crafts that they love to do - everything from playing dolls to arts and crafts to playing catch. I can also provide help with homework. I have experience working with children with dyslexia, and working on reading and flashcards to help improve their reading skills. Additionally, I have several years experience providing caregiving to an elderly adult with dementia. I can help with daily tasks, appointments, meal preparation, or just being a companion. I also love animals! I have owned dogs, cats, horses, and every small animal you can think of. I can provide housework and help with organizational tasks - I love organizing! I am CPR and pediatric first aid certified. I’m learning Spanish but still a beginner conversationally.

Lauren is an absolute angel, my kids love her and she has been so gracious and helpful, even in such short notice. She is kind, plays with them both in engaging ways and is and makes them feel good and happy by the end of the day. She even makes great art! My son says he has a great day, and my daughter is absolutely smitten. Thank you so much Lauren for supporting us in our times of need!

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Marissa $30 per hour for 1 child

I have been caring for children for most of my life. As the second oldest of five siblings, responsibility came early to me. When I was just 10 years old, I began watching my three-year-old brother while my mother worked. From there, childcare became a natural and meaningful part of my life. As a teenager, I babysat two children every summer, beginning when they were 4 and 6 years old. Those years taught me consistency, patience, and how important it is to build trust with both children and parents. While in college, I worked as a live-in nanny for a family in Portland, Maine. The parents were opening a restaurant, so I provided full-time care for their 18-month-old daughter. My responsibilities included meal preparation, housekeeping, outings, and maintaining daily routines. When their second child was born, I cared for their six-month-old son alongside their almost four-year-old daughter. I remained with the family until the children were 4 and 7 years old. My role included cooking healthy meals, school pickups, park outings, bedtime routines, and occasionally morning routines. I believe children thrive when they are active and engaged, so I prioritized outdoor play whenever possible—trips to playgrounds, local parks for picnics, splash pads, petting zoos, and nature walks. On colder days, we visited the library, did arts and crafts projects, or attended local cafés with live music and child-friendly play areas. I aim to keep children curious, creative, and physically active while ensuring they feel safe and supported. Throughout college, I also volunteered at local shelters, watching children while parents needed to do what they needed to do while living in the shelter. Additionally, during the summers worked at a diabetes camp caring for kids aged 8-15 years old living with diabetes and enjoying two weeks away from home. Following college, I lived in Kerala, India where I taught English and political science to kids aged 3 to 14 years old. More recently, I babysat a 1½-year-old boy in Washington, DC, providing dependable evening care so his busy parents could enjoy occasional date nights. I am responsible, attentive, and deeply experienced with children of different ages. Most importantly, I genuinely enjoy helping children grow, explore, and feel cared for. I am also CPR certified. I looked forward to meeting your little one(s) and supporting their growth and development.

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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

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

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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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