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.
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.

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Brandi
Booked by 3 repeat families
1 review
$30 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 5 families in Palo Alto, CA

HI! I'm a mom of three (ages 15, 20, and 23) with 9 years of professional nanny experience, plus 14 years at home raising my own kids. I've cared for every age from newborns to teenagers, and I genuinely love them all. Most of my career has been spent in long-term positions with two families, staying with each of them for several years as their kids grew. My days with kids are active and full. I'm big on outings: the park, the library, music classes, and the zoo. I like creating a home that feels fun and silly, with plenty of music and cooking. I'm also a serious animal lover, so pets in the house are a bonus. Beyond childcare, I'm hardworking and detail oriented, and cleaning and organizing are my specialties. I'm also well versed in food allergies and special diets. I have Celiac Disease myself and follow a strict gluten-free routine, so label-reading and avoiding cross-contamination are second nature to me. I speak conversational Spanish. Not fluent, but enough to hold a real conversation. One practical note: I'm highly allergic to Lavender, so I ask that Lavender scented products not be used in the home. Lavender growing outside is no problem at all. I'm available for occasional sitting. I'd love to hear about your family and whatever you might need. Currently available for occasional date nights and weekends.

“Brandi is an exceptional nanny - highly experienced with all ages and incredibly energetic and warm. We were fortunate to have her as our full-time nanny and an integral part of our family for nearly 4 years. She cared for our older son from 4 months on and helped us set a regular napping/feeding schedule with him right off the bat. Over the years, she helped us transition to new nap schedules, new foods, new activities, and a new little brother. Brandi maintained a fun weekly schedule with both boys, taking them to library story times, MyGym, music classes, and coming up with myriad arts and crafts activities. We highly recommend Brandi - it’s such a relief to have an experienced caregiver you can trust!”

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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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Jonas $26 per hour for 1 child

Hi families! My name is Jonas, and I’m a responsible 25-year-old based in Palo Alto. I specialize in evening and nighttime babysitting, perfect for date nights, late shifts, or overnight care. I am CPR and First Aid certified, safety-focused, and calm under pressure. Parents can feel confident knowing their children are in capable and attentive hands. 👶 My Experience • Cared for my younger siblings growing up • Assisted older family members with daily care • Experience assisting in senior living facilities • 5 years of professional experience in the hospitality industry • Bachelor’s degree graduate Working in hospitality has strengthened my patience, professionalism, and ability to stay composed in busy or unexpected situations — skills that translate very well into childcare. 💛 Why I Love Working With Kids Children bring joy and energy that make every day meaningful. I enjoy nurturing, guiding, and supporting their growth — whether that’s helping with homework, reading bedtime stories, or simply creating a safe and positive environment where they feel heard and valued. I’m especially great at: • Bedtime routines • Homework help & tutoring • Light meal prep • Keeping a structured and calm nighttime environment • Encouraging respectful behavior and confidence ✅ What You Can Expect From Me ✔ Punctual and dependable ✔ Clear communication with parents ✔ Clean, organized, and safety-minded ✔ Patient, nurturing, and engaging ✔ Comfortable with evening and overnight care My goal is to give parents peace of mind while creating a warm, supportive space for your children.

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Anusha
Booked by 2 repeat families
1 review
$25 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 3 families in Palo Alto, CA

Hi! I’m new to this platform, but not to childcare: Compassionate and reliable caregiver with 4+ years of professional cat and dog sitting experience and 3+ years caring for school-age children, plus 2+ years working with toddlers in educational settings. As a passionate undergraduate pre-law student, I bring certified babysitting credentials from Illinois, 6+ years of tutoring experience, and varying levels of fluency in three languages, plus English, to support multilingual families. My patient, attentive nature combined with my educational background allows me to provide exceptional childcare, pet care, homework assistance, meal preparation, and light household services. I believe in creating warm, structured environments where children feel safe to learn and grow, whether through organized activities, creative play, or simply providing caring supervision. Available for flexible scheduling including after-school care, evening babysitting, weekends, holidays, and emergency situations, I'm committed to supporting each family's unique needs with reliability, safety, and genuine care. References available upon request.

“Arusha was great. Reliable, perfectly on time, communicates well, interacts with the children and they adored her. ”

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Molly $26 per hour for 1 child

Hello! My name is Molly, and I’m a current medical student at Stanford. I’m currently offering childcare & household services. I love to work with children and I babysat a lot as a high school & college student! As a medical student I am certified in Basic Life Support, and outside of school I’ve tried to cultivate many hobbies, including reading, exploring, crafting, cooking, and baking. I enjoy the chance to share those joys with children who are just beginning to know and love the world as I care for them. I can cook, clean, run errands, and I’m well-versed in education, as I tutored school-age children for many years alongside my own schooling, and would be happy to help wherever you need help! I am allergic to many pets, but as long as I’m informed prior to the day, I can manage well with antihistamines. Overall, I’m an enthusiastic individual who would be very happy to care for your children when you need!

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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: $37.13
  • 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

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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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