Family with caregiver

Find an emergency babysitter in Portola Valley, CA

Portola Valley 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.

86 available babysitters in Portola Valley, CA

Families in Portola Valley turn to UrbanSitter for emergency and same-day babysitting.
61 available today | Avg hourly rate: $31.39/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
Itzel
Booked by 4 repeat families
5 reviews
$30 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 9 families in Portola Valley, CA

I am currently working as a lead preschool teacher. I have been working for the school for over 5 years. I have a bachelors degree in Human Development with a concentration in Childhood development. I am still actively taking classes to obtain my site supervisor early childhood education permit. I enjoy working with young children and helping them grow into confident, caring individuals. I love to spend quality time with them and help them reach their goals. I have passion, love, and patience for the work that I do. I am responsible and caring and value each child for who they are.

“She was awesome with our 2 yr old. We highly recommend her and would definitely have her again.”

Profile photo
Iryna
Booked by 4 repeat families
4 reviews
$30 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 6 families in Portola Valley, CA
Profile photo
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!”

Profile photo
Brandi
Booked by 3 repeat families
1 review
$30 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 5 families in Portola Valley, 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!”

Profile photo
Lauren
Booked by 3 repeat families
2 reviews
$35 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 3 families in Portola Valley, 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!”

Live near a college or university? View babysitters by college

Children playing together

How much does an emergency babysitter cost in Portola Valley, CA?

  • Average hourly rate for 1 child: $31.39
  • Average hourly rate for 2 children: $37.01
  • Typical job length: 5.1 hours
  • Most requested times: Morning

As of October 2026

Recent babysitter activity in Portola Valley, 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.

1,080 sitters background checked in Portola Valley, CA

4.9 average star rating from total of 7,942 reviews in Portola Valley, 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 Portola Valley

Share your needs and hear from available sitters.

Why families trust UrbanSitter for emergency babysitting

Trusted by Portola Valley families

See which babysitters have been hired by parents in your Portola Valley 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 Portola Valley

How do I find an emergency babysitter in Portola Valley?

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

How much does an emergency babysitter cost in Portola Valley?

As of October 2026, babysitting rates in Portola Valley average $31.39 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 Portola Valley on UrbanSitter background checked?

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

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