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.
101 available today | Avg hourly rate: $31.37/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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Kelly
Booked by 8 repeat families
14 reviews
$25 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 17 families in San Mateo, CA

Hello families! My name is Kelly and I'm so excited to meet you. I recently graduated from the Burnett School of Medicine at TCU with a Master's of Medical Science, and I am available for light part-time or occasional jobs. I graduated with a BA in English in 2015, and worked for several years in teaching: high school music and dance programs, summer camp operations, and most recently in administration for a nonprofit preschool. In addition, I spent a year at a local Children's Hospital, planning age-appropriate activities for children of all ability levels. I enjoy primarily working with infants and young children. My favorite activities to do with kids include playing in the park, reading, arts & crafts, and music. I'm proficient in basic Spanish and love to practice with little ones! I am Infant & Child CPR/First Aid certified, and enjoy creating safe and fun spaces for children to play.

“Punctual, professional and fantastic with the kids. Would definitely hire again. ”

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Rick 13 reviews
$40 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 1 family in San Mateo, CA

Hi, I’m Rick; a caring, energetic, and responsible individual with a lifelong passion for helping families thrive. I’m 37 and currently based in Redwood City. With a strong background in both child and pet care, I bring over three years experience working with all age groups from newborns and infants (1.5 years experience) to toddlers, preschoolers, school age kids, and teens (3 years’ experience each). I love playing, teaching, and learning with kids of all ages, adapting creative activities and games to keep everyone engaged. I focus on fostering a supportive, positive, and fun environment while maintaining structure and clear communication. Parents can count on me for organization, reliability, and compassion at every step. While my main focus is on child care, I also have extensive experience in animal care, behavior, and training (over 3 years). Alongside my wife, I’ve prepared healthy, natural organic treats and meals for pets, and I’ve led group outings for dogs in our local area. As a telepathic animal communicator, I genuinely understand pets as family; I currently care for three cats and have cared for several dogs and cats in the past. My core values include healthy living, mindfulness, and keeping a toxin free, caring home. I believe in living with integrity and consistency aligning words, actions, and beliefs. I love to teach and guide through games and self reflection and I'm always eager to help young minds flourish. If you’re looking for someone compassionate, honest, detail oriented, and fun, who understands the needs of both kids and family pets, let’s connect!

“Great problem-solver and so dynamic with the kids. 💯”

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Jeniffer
Booked by 3 repeat families
2 reviews
$25 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 8 families in San Mateo, CA

Hello! My name is Jeniffer. I’m currently a college student working on my BSN. Before returning to school I worked as a Medical Assistant for about 5 years where I gained experience caring for others. I enjoy caring for children, and being around kids has always come naturally to me. I understand how important it is for parents to have someone they can trust with their children and to have someone who is patient, dependable, attentive. I would love the opportunity to get to know your family and learn more about what you’re looking for in a sitter. Please feel free to reach out with any questions! 😊

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Emonni 2 reviews
$40 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 1 family in San Mateo, CA

I’m a warm, dependable, and upbeat caregiver with 10+ years of experience caring for children from toddlers through school age in both home and classroom settings. As an early childhood educator, I bring a mix of structure, creativity, and lots of heart to every family I work with. I love getting to know each child’s personality and creating a safe, comfortable environment where they can play, explore, learn, and just be themselves. Whether we’re heading outside for an adventure, getting creative with an activity, working on homework, or simply following their usual routine, I’m happy to meet children where they are. I’m CPR/First Aid certified, reliable, communicative, and experienced in building trusting relationships with both children and parents. My goal is always for your kids to feel cared for and for you to feel completely comfortable knowing they’re in good hands.

“Emonni was fantastic with my 6yo daughter and 2yo son. They took to her immediately! She’s reliable and was able to pickup all the instructions on their routine quickly. ”

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Deborah 3 reviews
$35 per hour for 1 child

Hello! My name is Deborah, and I’m an experienced nanny with over 10 years of dedicated childcare experience. I began my first nanny position at 18 and was a live-in caregiver for two years. I have since worked with children ranging from infants as young as 6 months to preteens. Over the years, I’ve provided excellent care including diaper changes, bath time, meal preparation, school pick-ups, after-school activities, pet care, and house sitting. With a bachelor’s degree in Public Health, I’m passionate about fostering nurturing, educational, and engaging environments for children. I love creating activities that encourage curiosity, creativity, and movement, helping kids burn energy in healthy, fun ways. I’m active, dependable, and deeply enjoy supporting families by providing not just care, but genuine partnership in their children’s growth and development. And as an animal lover, I’m always happy to care for pets, too (unfortunately not cats as I am allergic).

“Debbie has babysat for my grandchildren. I have known her for many years since she was in her teens as she was my high school student. She is extremely good with children, fun, caring and reliable. I highly recommend her for any childcare position.”

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

  • Average hourly rate for 1 child: $31.37
  • 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.

2,364 sitters background checked in San Mateo, CA

5.0 average star rating from total of 27,980 reviews 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 $31.37 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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