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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Liliana
Booked by 2 repeat families
3 reviews
$27 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 5 families in Santa Cruz, CA

Hello, my name is Liliana (or Lily)! I was born and raised in San Jose and am excited to be working as a nanny with local families while completing my master’s degree in counseling psychology at SCU! I have been working as a nanny since fall of 2025, and have had the pleasure of caring for children ranging from 1 to 13 years old. I really admire children's curiosity, creativity, and intelligence, and I find so much fulfillment in watching them grow! I am currently available for occasional and one-time evening jobs. Relevant education and certifications: - Undergraduate courses in child development. - Pediatric CPR/AED certified by the Red Cross. - Valid CA driver's license. About me: - I am an avid reader and have a deep appreciation for children's literature! Some of my childhood favorites include "Arnie the Doughnut" and "Sarah, Plain and Tall." - I love cooking and baking, and am a big proponent of involving kids in the kitchen – it teaches life skills, supports mathematical and scientific development, and is a great vehicle for creativity! - I grew up participating in dance and theatre, and still still take ballet classes in my spare time! I also love fostering creative expression in kids, whether it be music, dance, drawing, or imaginative play! ________ My policies: - Booking: I ask that all new families book me through Urban Sitter. Families looking for long-term care can schedule recurring services off-site, so long as the first booking is made through Urban Sitter. I also encourage families to message me before booking to confirm my availability. - Daily minimum hours: I work a consecutive two-hour minimum, and generally only accept jobs that meet this requirement. In the event that a family books me for a shorter period of time, they can expect to pay for a minimum of two hours, even if they only need me for one. - Cancellation policy: I ask that any scheduling changes be communicated as early as possible, and I will share any scheduling conflicts ASAP (usually 4+ weeks in advance). I do not charge for canceled bookings unless I am given less than 24 hours notice, at which point I will charge 50% of the total original booking cost. - Mileage: I have my own car, and am happy to offer driving services to families. Because not all jobs require driving, I do not factor it into my hourly rate. Instead, if a family requires driving, I will charge a reimbursement of 76 cents per mile.

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Omphemetse $27 per hour for 1 child

Hi I am a loving, caring person. I enjoy singing and drawing. I like baking and being creative. I sing to the little ones they favorite song. I sing lalaby to help the little go to sleep. I usually would draw pictures so the kids can color in. I draw shapes and animals even the to draw they favorite characters. I make muffins and cookies with kids and decorate them with them. I enjoy teaching kids new language and skills.

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Clarissa 2 reviews
$30 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 2 families in Santa Cruz, CA

I am a responsible and caring individual. In college I studied early child development, nutrition and prerequisites for nursing. In the past, I worked in a home daycare with my aunt, that she owned. The age group ranged from 6 months to 5 years old to prepare them for kindergarten. I am CPR, first aid and AED certified. I work at a daycare and assist as a one to one support. I am currently a Behavioral Technician and use my ABA therapy skills at home visits. I learned the skills to teach children everyday life skills so they can be independent. I babysit my nieces and nephews when my family needs help. I have experience with infants from newborns- children up to 15 years old. I love being around children they are so funny and sweet. I enjoy going on walks and parks with kids so they can enjoy the outdoors. I love to play board games and cards. I am currently a nanny on Saturdays for the first kiddo I accepted on this app. I have now been with the family for 1 year. I love to be outdoors, hiking and camping.

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Vitória 1 review
$38 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 1 family in Santa Cruz, CA

I’m someone who genuinely enjoys being around kids! I have 5+ years of experience, I’m reliable and patient, and I love keeping kids active, happy, and engaged.

We've had the joy of working with Vitoria for a year and a half, and I can't recommend her highly enough. Vitoria helps with our two boys (5 and 7) - managing the morning routine, getting them ready and off to school, handling pickups and dropoffs, and driving them to activities. She is unfailingly punctual and reliable; in eighteen months, we have never once had to worry about whether the boys were where they needed to be, on time and in good hands. As working parents, that kind of dependability is priceless. But what sets Vitoria apart is how deeply she cares. She's warm, patient, and attentive, and our boys absolutely adore her - she's become part of the rhythm of our family. Mornings that used to be chaotic are now calm, and our kids genuinely light up when she arrives. If you're looking for someone trustworthy, kind, and truly wonderful with children, look no further. We'd recommend Vitoria to anyone without hesitation.

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

Hi, I’m Terri I have 7+ years experience working with various ages of children and babies and I’m a Silicon Valley native. I’ve grown up helping out with babies to teenagers, I’m the oldest of six and I love animals of all kinds and I don’t mind them in the home.

She is sweet, punctual, sent me a photo and update while I was away, and did everything to make Tay as comfortable with the transition as possible! He was happy and calm when I returned :)

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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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