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.

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85 available babysitters in Portola Valley, CA

Families in Portola Valley 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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Emily $25 per hour for 1 child

Hi, My name is Emily and I am currently a part-time freelance tutor for elementary aged children. I am offering child care, senior care, and household cleaning services. I love working in childcare and have previously worked as a summer camp counselor (campers aged 4 to 13) as well as an in-class aide for special needs students and a math and language arts tutor for students aged 6 to 12. I have worked positions requiring school drop-off/pick-up, preparing simple meals for children as well as seniors, engaging children in fun after-school activities and outdoor play, tutoring, housework, running errands, and in-home eldercare--including medication administration, memory care, daily hygiene, and cleaning. I served as my own father's end-of-life caregiver and understand the needs of seniors living out their last years as comfortably as possible in-home. I can engage children's critical thinking and problem-solving skills to improve their academic performance, and I'm good at devising easy, fun games for children to stimulate their creative imaginations. I also have a lifetime of experience caring for cats. I am not as familiar with dog care, but I am happy to learn.

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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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Anusha
Booked by 2 repeat families
1 review
$25 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 3 families in Portola Valley, 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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Vicky
Booked by 1 repeat family
1 review
$25 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 1 family in Portola Valley, CA

Pet parent of one large dog has experience with animals Can do drop ins and overnight would be dependent on schedule Cats and dogs only please!

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Shelby 2 reviews
$36 per hour for 1 child

As an aunt and caregiver, I love working with families and their children! I have worked as a day camp counselor, swim teacher, newborn and young child nanny, as well as volunteer with programs like Jasper Ridge Farm and CASA. My favorite part about working with kids and babies is getting to know their individual personalities, as each one is so different! I particularly enjoy and excel at working with kids under the age of five, including newborns and infants. I would say my general approach is to provide fun, creative, and engaging care, with *a lot* of patience and communication. I also believe in gently reaffirming boundaries and doing our best to stick to your child's individual routine. I hope to promote a sense of confidence, creativity, and security in the children I provide care for. I have been infant CPR certified within the last 2.5 years, and will be renewing asap. I have also been lifeguard certified and am more than happy to get re-trained if your child has access to a private pool.

Shelby has cared for our almost-3yo daughter several times from infant through toddler stages. I’m always impressed at her ability to meet her at her level over time. She is always engaged with her when they are together, bringing lots of fun and energy while also maintaining boundaries. I would highly recommend.

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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.

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

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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?

Babysitting rates in Portola Valley 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.

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