Family with caregiver

Find an emergency babysitter in Santa Cruz, CA

Santa Cruz 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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68 available babysitters in Santa Cruz, CA

Families in Santa Cruz 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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Donay
Booked by 15 repeat families
13 reviews
$30 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 25 families in Santa Cruz, CA

Hi families! I've been working as a full time nanny for 6 years, and babysitting in my free time. I stayed with two families before as a live in nanny, it was a great experience!! I love working with children. I've worked with infants and older kids ages between 3 months to 13 years old. I strive to help children reach their milestones by doing age appropriate activities. For instance, with infants tummy time, helping them sit by themselves, introducing soiled food or new foods, training them to walk, potty training, reading books to them and playing with them in a stimulus way. With toddlers and older kids we’ll be doing crafts such as drawing, painting, playing active games and being creative in an educational ways. I am a registered behavioral technician, I worked as a RBT working with children on the autism spectrum and children with behavioral development. A little about me: I am considered to be friendly, trustworthy, responsible and respectful. I am a good communicator, talk openly, follow instructions and take lead where need be. In my free time I love exploring the outdoors going on hikes or bike rides, I also love reading books or binging movies and I have a passion for videography and photography. *Qualifications* CPR and First Aid College Degree Able to provide references

My son had amazing time with Donay

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Lina
Booked by 2 repeat families
1 review
$30 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 4 families in Santa Cruz, CA

Hi Bay Area Families! My name is Lina, I’m 30 years old. I was an au pair in 2[removed]. I used to take care of kids while I was in college, including my newborn nephew, who is now 16. I recently finished grad school and got a job from 8 am to 5 pm, but I miss my job as a nanny. I love to take of children and I have experience with all ages. I like to go out with the kiddos for walks, to the library, parks, and more. I help them with homework,tutoring, and crafts. In my free time, I love hiking, painting, dancing, solving puzzles, and watching movies. I’m a native Spanish speaker, I speak English and a little bit of French. I’d love to meet up!

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Mary
Booked by 1 repeat family
1 review
$30 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 1 family in Santa Cruz, CA

Hi my name is Mary, in my mid 30s, behavior specialist in dogs and children. I have a very bubbly, go lucky personality. I have been an auntie since I was 15 years old, raising my nieces and nephews since they were infants. I am comfortable with feeding, playing, changing and putting a baby to sleep. I am comfortable with household errands, picking up/ dropping off for school, and pet care needs. You'll wonder why I want to be a nanny and why my profile is bland compared to most. My recent job I was working as a personal aide for a young adult with Autism and realized how much my presence gave my client reassurance and peace of mind. On top of that her daughter felt comfortable with me by her side so she can be independent. If the government had more funding she wouldn't have lost her grant and I wouldn't have lost my job and find another family to help. I did more than just drove her to her doctor appointments and helped make her meals, I was her protector, her voice, when she was crying I would comfort and talk her through it. When she could not talk or voice her feelings, I was her projector, I defended her and protected her peace of mind. I am an open book so please ask me anything, I just hope someone will give me a chance to make their life easier. I have client references to verify my hard work and continuous drive. I am more than just a nanny, I am someone they can trust more than family.

Mary is very bubbly, playful, and naturally great with children. Within the first few minutes of meeting my toddler, she found a way to warm up to him and match his high energy. Mary does not simply watch your child play. She actively engages, teaches, leads activities, and plays with them. My son had a blast the past few times Mary babysat for us, and we are happy to continue having her on a weekly basis. I am very glad I responded to her job application and scheduled a trial session with her, even though she did not have any reviews yet at the time. I hope my review gives other families reassurance about her professionalism, reliability, and wonderful energy with children.

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Anna $30 per hour for 1 child

Hello! I have over ten years of childcare experience working with newborns through middle schoolers. The last 5 years have been spent working with special needs students who have significant behavior challenges. I am hard working, patient, compassionate and loving. I typically work until 3:30 M-F (more availability in summer).

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Nia
Booked by 1 repeat family
3 reviews
$24 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 4 families in Santa Cruz, CA

Hi! I love helping families with babysitting and light household tasks like cooking, cleaning, and laundry. I’ve spent ten years working in education, have experience with kids from K–12, and hold a bachelor’s degree in psychology. I enjoy doing arts and crafts and simple cooking activities with kids and love creating a fun, calm environment. I’m looking to work with children ages 2 and up, and I’m comfortable around small dogs and cats.

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Recent babysitter activity in Santa Cruz, 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 Santa Cruz

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Why families trust UrbanSitter for emergency babysitting

Trusted by Santa Cruz families

See which babysitters have been hired by parents in your Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz

How do I find an emergency babysitter in Santa Cruz?

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

How much does an emergency babysitter cost in Santa Cruz?

Babysitting rates in Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz on UrbanSitter background checked?

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

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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