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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112 available babysitters in San Mateo, CA

Families in San Mateo turn to UrbanSitter for emergency and same-day babysitting.
92 available today | Avg hourly rate: $31.32/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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Valerie
Booked by 21 repeat families
27 reviews
$30 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 37 families in San Mateo, CA

Hello! I graduated from San Francisco State University with a BA in Child and Adolescent Development. I have my Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education, which adds to my knowledge of children. I currently work for a public school district where I work with children that have special needs. Prior to that, I was a teacher at a private school. I have worked with a variety of ages, but primarily with 3-4 year olds for 5 years. I have worked as a nanny for two children for 5 years, while also babysitting for many years before this. When babysitting, I primarily have worked with school aged children, K-6th grade. I have had some experience with infant children under the age of 1 for about four years. I hope that I can be of assistance to you and your family. Thank you!

“Valerie was terrific with my girls. Will definitely use her again”

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Mercedes
Booked by 13 repeat families
21 reviews
$40 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 32 families in San Mateo, CA

-Not currently taking jobs unless occasional or one-time care- Hello, I’m Mercedes! It’s a pleasure to connect with you. I was born and raised in Oakland, CA, and I’m Montessori trained for ages 0–6, including Early Childhood Education. I work part-time in a childcare environment, and the rest of my time is spent developing curriculum for children across different counties in California. I’m comfortable working with a wide range of age groups. Part of what makes me effective in my curriculum work is the hands-on experience I gain by spending time with children in both 1:1 and group settings, including preschool. I focus on creating a positive, supportive environment through meaningful activities — arts and crafts, outdoor play, books, and creative projects. I pride myself on being reliable and fully present with every child I care for, approaching each task with enthusiasm and dedication. I’m also fully CPR/First Aid certified and prioritize health and safety in every aspect of my work. Thank you for taking the time to learn a bit about me — I look forward to the possibility of working with your family! Feel free to reach out with any questions. Have a wonderful day! -Just so you know, I bill for the full booking time in the app, even if we wrap up early-

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Leidy
Booked by 10 repeat families
20 reviews
$38 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 25 families in San Mateo, CA

Hi! I’m Carolina, originally from Colombia, and I have 10 years of experience caring for children. I truly love what I do and feel honored to support families during such an important time. I’m a certified Newborn Care Specialist (NCS), CPR certified, trained in Infant Safety, and also a Birth Doula. I’m warm, reliable, and passionate about providing nurturing, professional care. I speak both Spanish and English, and I’m always happy to support bilingual learning.

“She was amazing! So patient and kind and skilled with our 6 month old daughter! Couldn’t recommend her highly enough!!!”

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Vanessa
Booked by 47 repeat families
42 reviews
$33 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 78 families in San Mateo, CA

Hi, my name is Vanessa. I am a full-time middle school teacher and I have baby-sat and nannied part-time over the last 20+years. I am CPR certified and registered with Trustline. I have worked in child care centers and preschools while employed with Child Care Careers. I was repeatedly asked to substitute at PalCare in Burlingame because I know how to care for and work with infants and toddlers. For a few months, I taught a Spanish class to Pre-K students for the Casita de Los Ninos program located at Village Park Preschool, Burlingame. From 2012 to 2013 I tutored 3rd and 4th grade students in reading with the program Reading Partners at Park Elementary School in San Mateo. In 2010 I received my B.A. in Liberal Studies and Spanish at Sonoma State University. I love working with children so much that I pursued my teaching credential at San Francisco State University and am currently teaching at Burlingame Intermediate School. I feel that children need to be engaged with art, language, math, science, and play! I'm a big fan of imaginative play, story time, drawing, play dough, and board games. If you're looking for a sitter who will do a lot more than put on a movie for your children, you've come to the right profile! :)

“Vanessa came on time. We did a short video call to introduce her to my kids before the date. She was very nice and patient to kids and very well comunnicated with us about details when we were away from home. Would recommend her if you ever need a babysitter.”

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Veronica
Booked by 8 repeat families
14 reviews
$30 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 20 families in San Mateo, CA

I am a mother of 8 children and three beautiful grandchildren. I have been taking care of kids since i was a teenager, with over 30+ years of experience. I have a deep love for children especially babies. As many of my own babies are now grown and moving out the nest, im looking for extra hours to work and do what i love most, watch and help children grow. I am very experienced, punctual, respectful, dependable and organized. I treat my families and children as if they were my very own. I enjoy spending time outside at the park or going on bike rides. I also love playing with kids favorite toys, reading to them, building, coloring and simply just laughing! I like keeping screen time to a minimum or not screen at all. and making sure the children are entertained with fun activities. I usually have a flexible schedule, more often available in the daytime, early mornings and afternoons until early evening. I am available occasionally for date nights. I am fluent in Spanish and proficient in English. I can cook and do light housecleaning. I have a clean driving record and background. Thank you so much for reading and i look forward to meeting you! Have a wonderful day.

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

  • Average hourly rate for 1 child: $31.32
  • Average hourly rate for 2 children: $37.19
  • 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.

2,365 sitters background checked in San Mateo, CA

5.0 average star rating from total of 28,049 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 $31.32 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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