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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108 available babysitters in San Mateo, CA

Families in San Mateo turn to UrbanSitter for emergency and same-day babysitting.
102 available today | Avg hourly rate: $31.36/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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Ava
Booked by 6 repeat families
5 reviews
$25 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 6 families in San Mateo, CA

Greetings!šŸ––šŸ½ My name is Ava Alexandra (She/They) and I have been babysitting since 2019. I am a San Francisco native, multimedia artist, and community advocate who is working towards their Bachelor's Degree in Communications and Asian American Studies. In my spare time I enjoy painting, baking, fashion styling, event design, and singing karaoke!! I was born to two florists and enjoy making flower arrangements for friends and family. šŸ’ I have experience caring for children ages 1-12, and quickly adapt to different routines that work for every family. I am well versed in "mother's helper" tasks such as dishwashing, cooking, laundry, light housework, and organizing. I will always tidy up and help make things easier for you, your children, and family unit. I hope you consider me. Hope you have a fantastic October! šŸŽƒ I am familiar with bedtime and bath time routines for children, ensuring they are well taken care of and happy. I enjoy working with children and providing them with the tools they need to be creative, grow strong, and be healthy! I enjoy art, fashion, and all elements of design. I love to design clothing and sew. Some of my interests include painting, watching anime, and playing Nintendo Switch games. Please book me at least 24 hours in advance. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please feel free to contact me. Thank you for taking the time to read this. Hope to be in touch soon. :)

ā€œAva has been extremely sweet with my daughter, getting her ready and taking her to school in the morning while I'm in Zoom meetings and then helping me with some mommy's helper stuff around the house. She's making my life a lot easier! šŸ™šŸ„°ā€

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Leticia
Booked by 8 repeat families
15 reviews
$35 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 21 families in San Mateo, CA

Hi! My name is Leticia, and I have several years of hands-on childcare experience working with children of all ages. I’ve worked as a nanny and babysitter since I was in high school and truly enjoy supporting children’s growth and development. In addition to babysitting, I have experience substitute teaching at a Montessori Preschool, where I helped create a positive and engaging learning environment in the absence of the lead teacher. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology as well as 2 Associate’s degrees in Psychology and Social & Behavioral sciences where I’ve taken early childhood education courses including child development and developmental psychology. I also have experience with children with diverse needs, including autism and ADHD. I’m skilled in coordinating schedules, helping with homework, preparing meals, managing bedtime routines, school drop-offs/pick-ups, and overnight care. I’m a very patient, attentive, and nurturing caregiver who enjoys engaging children in a variety of activities including arts and crafts, magna tiles, legos, and outdoor activities (ex: tag and playing at the park). I prioritize safety, clear communication with parents, and routines where children can thrive in. In my free time, I work with feral cats as well as socialize kittens. This is a huge passion of mine as I love animals and have quite a few pets myself. I would love the opportunity to support your family, thank you for considering my application and I look forward to speaking with you!

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Gloria
Booked by 4 repeat families
5 reviews
$28 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 9 families in San Mateo, CA

Hi my name is Gloria, I worked in a daycare over ten years ago. The woman I worked with closed her daycare and I changed careers. I miss working with kids I love exploring the world with toddler's for the first time. I enjoy playing make-believe, creating new worlds, arts & crafts. I enjoy playing board games and reading books.

ā€œShe was great. ā€

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Jamie
Booked by 12 repeat families
13 reviews
$30 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 28 families in San Mateo, CA

Hi there! I’m a warm, reliable caregiver with over 5 years of professional pediatric experience supporting children and families, along with many years of babysitting throughout college and beyond. My background in childhood development along with the many young children in my family have given me a strong understanding of children 6 months and beyond, along with how to support children’s emotional, social, and developmental needs at every stage. I believe in fostering play and curiosity while maintaining a safe and nurturing environment. Some of the activities I love are playing games, pretend play, music, and playing outside! I take great pride in being a caregiver that families are able to trust and rely on. I’d love the opportunity to connect with your family and I look forward to chatting!

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Julissa
Booked by 4 repeat families
9 reviews
$30 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 11 families in San Mateo, CA

Hi families! My name is Julissa and I have over 8 years of hands-on experience caring for children from as young as 2 months old up to 10 years old. I’m currently looking for a morning to help around! I’ve built a strong reputation with repeat clients who value my flexibility, patience, and ability to quickly connect with children. Whether it’s reading stories, going on nature walks, doing crafts, or just being silly and playful, I truly enjoy spending quality time with kids and keeping them safe, happy, and engaged. I’m reliable, easygoing, and always come with a positive attitude. If you’re looking for a trustworthy backup nanny or occasional sitter, I’d love to help! Thank you!

ā€œJulissa was wonderful with my kids. She met them exactly where they were - ready to jump in and play games or go on a fun outing but also happy to give them space for independent activities. They had a great time with her! ā€

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How much does an emergency babysitter cost in San Mateo, CA?

  • Average hourly rate for 1 child: $31.36
  • Average hourly rate for 2 children: $37.23
  • Typical job length: 4.9 hours
  • Most requested times: Morning

As of October 2026

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.

2,363 sitters backgroundĀ checked in San Mateo, CA

5.0 average star rating from total of 27,998 reviewsĀ in San Mateo, 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 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?

As of October 2026, babysitting rates in San Mateo average $31.36 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 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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