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Find an emergency babysitter in Washington, DC

Washington 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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326 available babysitters in Washington, DC

Families in Washington 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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Hanna $20 per hour for 1 child

Hi! I'm a DC professional (general manager of a small business) looking to do something fun and fulfilling with my mornings. I've grown up with dogs, cats, rodents, and currently have two cats and several fishtanks, so I am well acquainted with general and specialized pet care. I am fit and familiar with DC's walkable areas and trails (commute by bike when the weather's nice) so perfectly capable of walking dogs for short or long distances, whatever is necessary! I love big dogs and have no allergies, so any size is fine by me. I also obviously have a lot of experience with cats, including administering both oral and injected medication. I am more than capable of basic fish care and freshwater changes, and able to identify some common illnesses (fin rot, bloat, etc) that people who don't have tanks may miss in such small creatures! I have 60+ plants in my house so I am also capable of plant care if you need a housesitter who will care for them in an educated manner - I'm familiar with the demands of higher need plants like calatheas and ferns, know when to leave less thirsty plants like snakes and zz's alone to keep from risking root rot, and even come with my own moisture meter. I love living things and their care, and would love to take care of yours! I do have experience with children (oldest of 4) and can help out with some light babysitting, although more comfortable with helping out around the house some mornings to take the load off! I can prep simple meals, tidy up, do laundry and dishes, and am fairly handy if you need shelves hung or a wall painted!

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Tatiana 3 reviews
$25 per hour for 1 child

I have well over 5 years of experience working with youth of all ages as a babysitter, coach, assistant teacher, and through additional childcare roles during college. I have experience tutoring, helping with homework, light cleaning during services, cooking meals, caring for pets, and assisting seniors. I bring both personal and professional caregiving experience. I genuinely love children and believe in creating a safe, nurturing, and encouraging environment where they feel supported and valued. I’m flexible, respectful of different parenting styles, adaptable to each family’s needs, and I always bring a positive, caring attitude. I also have experience caring for children with disabilities.

Tati has been watching my daughter for almost two years now, almost once a month and I trust her completely with my busy 3-year-old. My daughter loves her, which means everything to me. She’s very attentive and careful, especially since my daughter has multiple allergies, and she treats my baby girl like her own. As a girl dad, it’s not easy leaving your child with just anyone but Tati has earned my trust. She’s reliable, honest, and dependable. On a scale of 1–5, I’d give her a 6.

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Anna 1 review
$25 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 1 family in Washington, DC

Hello! My name is Anna, and I’m a 21 year old pre-med student at Georgetown University. I’ve been babysitting since I was 12 and have spent the past five years as a nanny for a wonderful family of five in Princeton, caring for their three children from infancy through early childhood. Over the years, I’ve built strong, long-term relationships with families and truly enjoy supporting children as they grow and learn. In addition to childcare, I have been a certified EMT since age 16 and continue to volunteer both at home and at Georgetown University. Families describe me as dependable, energetic, and compassionate, and I bring both safety and fun to every caregiving role. I am offering child care, dog care, and house sitting. I am looking forward to making those connections here in DC!

Anna was kind and professional, super easy to communicate with babysitter. She was attentive and engaging and we loved our time with her. We will absolutely book again!

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Emma 1 review
$20 per hour for 1 child

Hi - My name is Emma and I'm offering childcare, pet services, and household services. I have babysat ages 6 months-13 years since I was 16 and I worked as a camp counselor for several years. I work in the science and space sector and enjoy sharing space facts along with conducting science experiments! I was also a studio art minor in college, so I love doing arts and crafts with kids. I grew up with two cats and two dogs that I adore and miss very much, so I am happy to care for any animals — the more the merrier! I am also offering household services, including cleaning and organizing.

We’ve had a great experience with her. She’s extremely professional, always punctual, and immediately connected with our kids — ages 11, 3, and 5 months. She keeps each of them engaged at their level, handles routines smoothly, and we feel completely comfortable leaving them in her care. Highly recommend.

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Genevieve
Booked by 2 repeat families
2 reviews
$18 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 2 families in Washington, DC

⸻ Hi! I just graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice. I’ve been babysitting on and off for the past seven years and love working with kids of all ages (and pets too!). I’m easygoing, funny, and always up for a good game, craft, or kitchen adventure. Cooking’s one of my favorite hobbies, and I can’t wait to explore DC! I’m all about creating a fun, safe, and positive environment wherever I go!

I used Genevieve for household services. We were away from our house for 3 weeks and needed her to come twice a week to house sit - taking care of plants, bringing in the mail, etc. She followed the directions to a tee and even went above and beyond to think ahead such as accounting for extreme weather conditions. Genevieve had great communication throughout the entire duration. She was very dependable and someone you can definitely trust. I had a great experience overall and highly recommend her.

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Recent babysitter activity in Washington, DC

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 Washington

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Why families trust UrbanSitter for emergency babysitting

Trusted by Washington families

See which babysitters have been hired by parents in your Washington 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 Washington

How do I find an emergency babysitter in Washington?

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

How much does an emergency babysitter cost in Washington?

Babysitting rates in Washington 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 Washington on UrbanSitter background checked?

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

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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