Family with caregiver

Find an emergency babysitter in San Mateo, CA

San Mateo 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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114 available babysitters in San Mateo, CA

Families in San Mateo 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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Paula
Booked by 71 repeat families
96 reviews
$28 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 140 families in San Mateo, CA

Hello families! ¡Hola, Familias! I am Paula (or Pau). I was born and raised in Colombia; I moved to the US in 2014 as an Au Pair (live-in nanny). I worked with two families in two different cities and have remained a nanny ever since. Some of the things I love are music, spending time outdoors, animals, hiking, dancing, swimming, and reading. My experience with kids began when I was 10. I come from a huge family, so I've been around kids my whole life. I am very energetic and creative so I like to come up with different activities age-convenient outside and inside the house, I have worked with kids of all ages including twins, newborns and toddlers; I love to spend time with kids, I like to play with them and teach them new things (like Spanish) and I think that security is the key to proper development for the kids so my primary goal is to make kids feel safe to play and learn and have fun of course! If you have any questions/or you don't see availability in my calendar, please feel free to message me. Hablo español porque soy de Colombia. Si tiene dudas, preguntas o peticiones, por favor no dude en enviarme un mensaje, con mucho gusto le atiendo. Thank you for your interest. ****SITTER POLICY*** - By scheduling a booking with me, you're acknowledging that you've read and will abide by this policy. -PAYMENT: Cash only, please. -AVAILABILITY: Occasional and temporary part-time care. Pet and house sitting. -RATES: My rates are the same whether the child is awake or asleep and the rate per hour depends on the amount of chores and responsibilities I’ll be in charge of. I charge double time for the following holidays: New Year's Eve, New Year's Day, Valentine's Day, 4th of July, Thanksgiving Day, Day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Day after Christmas. CANCELATIONS: I understand that plans change. However, I do recommend a 48-hour notice so I can try to fulfill my calendar with a new booking. BOOKINGS: I charge for the full time I was booked for , regardless if I get dismissed earlier than expected because I plan my time and my budget around my bookings. So please, give me a 48h notice if you need to cancel. Also, if you plan on arriving later than expected, please let me know at least 1 hour before the booking is supposed to end. I'm usually flexible with late arrivals, but sometimes I have more than one booking on the same day, and your late arrival can negatively affect the rest of my day. Thanks for reading! :)

Paula was great! Very calm and a natural caregiver. Our kids want to know when she's coming back....

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Mariana
Booked by 11 repeat families
15 reviews
$35 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 24 families in San Mateo, CA

Hi - My name is Mariana and I’m looking for a 2 part time, weekdays, one in the morning one afternoon, open for a full time was well, and babysitting. I love working with kids and have experience caring for children from 6 months to 11 years old. I’m comfortable with everything from diaper changes to preparing meals, and I bring a mix of fun and learning to our time together — reading stories, coloring, puzzles, going to the park, and even the occasional dance party. I’m responsible, organized, and genuinely enjoy spending my days with kids. I’m CPR certified, a strong swimmer, fully vaccinated, and a safe driver.

Mariana is an excellent babysitter. She is extremely professional and courteous. She’s experienced, confident, and communicated very well with our five year old daughter who is looking forward to playing with her again. She arrived a few minutes earlier and immediately dove in and engaged with our daughter. We are looking forward to having her babysit our daughter soon.

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Juliette
Booked by 12 repeat families
29 reviews
$28 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 46 families in San Mateo, CA

Hello Urbansitter parents! I’ve been babysitting children, pet sitting & house sitting for 35+ years, but the last 9yrs here on Urbansitter. I just retired early from my full time job at Kaiser Permanente where I worked for the past 25 years. Prior to that, I worked as a medical assistant for a private Pediatrics office in San Mateo for 5 years. I love kids of any age, enjoy playing games, reading, going to the park, arts & crafts, cooking/baking, doing puzzles or watching a movie with them. I have many years experience with newborns/infants, toddlers, grade school kids & watching multiple kids together. I also drive some of the neighborhood kids where I live, to and from school and their afterschool activities. I have car seats available for toddlers & grade school kids. I have 1 rescue pup, love the outdoors & I have a passion for rescue animals, so I am more than willing to help out with your pets, big or small! Please feel free to contact me with any questions you might have. I try to keep my calendar as updated as possible, but you can always message me to check on the availability you need. I am COVID vaccinated & can supply proof of vaccinations. I am also First Aid, CPR & AED certified as well as fingerprinted & background checked. I look forward to meeting you & your family!

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Ashley
Booked by 67 repeat families
83 reviews
$32 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 135 families in San Mateo, CA

Hi Families!! l 🩷✨⭐️looking for occasional weekend gigs as i work full time ⭐️✨🩷 My name is Ashley Garcia, and i have 5 years of professional experience primarily with kids ranging from 4 months - 14 years old. I am a UCSD senior online, majoring in political science! I adore working with new children as they bring so much joy into the world! I babysit, dog/cat sit, housesit and have overall worked with over 150 families in the bay area and SD. I have created wonderful bonds with many children and can’t wait to make new ones! As a teen, I volunteered at boys a girls club, then as a teen outdoor ED, and babysitting my 3 nieces. I have part timed with 5 families, 1 baby, 2 toddlers and 4 elementary school kids! I have learned lots about behavioral health and wellness is children! 💖💖: I am creative and enjoy doing arts and crafts, reading, having mini fashion shows, going to the park, puzzles, magnetiles, hot wheels, legos, board games and fort building! 💖💖 I also love to draw something special for every family so please ask your kids what they would like me to make with them! 🥰🎨✍🏼 Includes: ✨CPR + First Aid Certified ✨clean driving record ! ✨non-smoker ✨errands (additional $5 an hour + gas stipend) ✨ light housework (dishes, kids laundry, and tidying up kids playroom) Thanks for reading! I look forward to hearing from you🥰 **3hr minimum on weekdays, 4hr minimum on weekends**❣️ ** less than 24hr notice, $30 cancellation rate**❣️ Side Note: (HANDYMAN) For my families in the Bay Area, my dad, Eduardo Garcia, is available for side handyman jobs! please contact me with any questions, thank you!

Ashley was timely, professional, warm, and my daughter enjoyed her time under her care. Would hire again!

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Melany
Booked by 9 repeat families
29 reviews
$33 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 46 families in San Mateo, CA

Hi families! My name is Melany, and I’m a CPR & First Aid certified nanny with over 10 years of experience caring for children of all ages from infants to school-aged kids. Working with children has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I truly enjoy helping little ones learn, feel safe, and have fun. Parents describe me as warm, patient, and very responsible. I always arrive on time, communicate clearly, and care for every child as if they were my own family. I’m also an international psychology student, which helps me understand child behavior, emotional development, and how to support kids with gentle, positive guidance. What I offer: • CPR & First Aid certified • 10+ years of childcare experience • Calm, nurturing personality • Strong communication and reliability • Experience with bedtime routines and creative play • Comfortable with pets (I love animals!) I would love to support your family and create a safe, fun environment where your child feels happy and cared for. Looking forward to meeting you!

Melany was so great! She is reliable, professional and takes wonderful care of our toddler.

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Recent babysitter activity in San Mateo, 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 San Mateo

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Why families trust UrbanSitter for emergency babysitting

Trusted by San Mateo families

See which babysitters have been hired by parents in your San Mateo 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 San Mateo

How do I find an emergency babysitter in San Mateo?

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

How much does an emergency babysitter cost in San Mateo?

Babysitting rates in San Mateo 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 San Mateo on UrbanSitter background checked?

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

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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