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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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312 available babysitters in Washington, DC

Families in Washington turn to UrbanSitter for emergency and same-day babysitting.
170 available today | Avg hourly rate: $23.32/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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Carmen
Booked by 8 repeat families
9 reviews
$30 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 21 families in Washington, DC

Hi! My name is Carmen and I am a junior at Georgetown University studying business! I have been babysitting my moms friends kids since I was little and have always loved working with kids. I have experience volunteering at an orphanage where I visit once a week and work mostly with babies 0-3 years old. I also work part time at Georgetown with a family of 2 kids (3 months and 2 years old!) and a family with a 5 month-old girl. I have experience feeding, bathing, and keeping kids entertained! I like working with kids because through babysitting I get to relive my childhood through the eyes of the kids I care for. There is so much to learn from children and I love to teach them the alphabet, colors, animals while I learn from them. I also speak Spanish, so also love to teach little ones Spanish if it is okay with the parents! In my spare time, I like to journal, go on walks, try new coffee shops, and spend time with friends and family. My skills include bedtime routine, cooking, and tutoring. I am open to working with families with pets!

“Carmen is awesome! My daughter loves her, excited we found her and looking forward to working more with her in the future.”

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Aimee
Booked by 69 repeat families
69 reviews
$22 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 144 families in Washington, DC

Hi! I work for DC Public Library and have been working in libraries for over 7 years now and I love it! I'm happy to get back to sitting occasionally to spend time engaging in fun activities like park visits, imaginative play, reading, kid-friendly cooking, and music/art! I don't have kids of my own so getting to spend time and care for others is a joy and privilege that I don't take for granted. I enjoy being a caregiver and sharing the present moment with kids. It feels less like work and more like an escape from my daily routine! My schedule varies as I work every other weekend and one full weekend a month (both Saturday and Sunday). I also have Thursday mornings off if anyone needs help then! I've worked with children aged 1 to 12 and infants (3 months+) locally since 2011. Before DC, I went abroad to au pair for a family with two young children (2 and 4 years old when I arrived). My duties have included: Meal prep/ Feeding (bottles, babyfood etc.) Light housekeeping Drop offs/ Pick ups Caring for sick toddlers and infants Medicine Adminstration Activities and Outings Supervision and chaperoning in various settings (home and away) Tutoring and homework help Help caring for pets (dogs and cats) My longest full-time childcare job was working abroad as an au pair. I stayed with the family for over a year and a half, working afternoons, all day Wednesday (off-school day), and the occasional evening, weekend, or vacation sitting.

“Aimee connected with our girls right away. She was on-time, and had great communication throughout. Would definitely recommend!”

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Ashley
Booked by 67 repeat families
87 reviews
$25 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 122 families in Washington, DC

Hi, I’m Ashley and I like to consider myself The Nanny Guru ! I have over 10 years of experience working with children between the ages of new born to 16 years of age. My experience includes some of the following; former full time nanny, teacher assistant within DCPS, aftercare provide, tutor for elementary and high school students, child care center provider, and much more ! I am fun, energetic, patient with kids and always do my best to understand their needs as their safety and happiness is my priority. Thank you and I hope to book with you soon. **Please note additional rate information: 1. There is an additional $5.00 added to my hourly base rate per child for bookings that are 3 hours or less 2. Expect payment for entire booking 3. Please contact me directly for overnight rate

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Leevel
Booked by 8 repeat families
12 reviews
$20 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 18 families in Washington, DC

Hi! My name is Leevel, and I’m so excited to support families in my community. I’m originally from Denver, Colorado, and I’m currently a college student at The George Washington University, where I’m studying Political Science. I have several years of experience working with children in different settings. In 2024, I served as a Girls on the Run coach, mentoring elementary and middle school girls and creating a positive, confidence-building environment. This past summer, I worked at a summer camp, leading activities, supervising groups, and ensuring every child felt safe and engaged. Right now, I’m a tutor at an elementary school during the weekdays, working closely with students and adapting to different personalities, learning styles, and needs. I’m responsible, patient, and genuinely love helping kids learn, grow, and have fun. I’d love to be a reliable and supportive part of your family’s routine!

“Leevel arrived early and was a wonderful help. Our two 5-year-olds loved spending the afternoon with her. She did a great job of keeping them engaged and also helping to encourage them to clean up one activity before moving on to the next. We will definitely hire her again.”

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Madeleine
Booked by 5 repeat families
8 reviews
$27 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 12 families in Washington, DC

I’m a proud mom of two and a very social person who loves caring for both children and the elderly. I have over 2 years of professional experience in early childhood education, in addition to years of caring for my own children. I am also CPR and First Aid certified, which means your little one will always be safe in my care. My passion for working with kids inspired me to start a nonprofit called Unik Cause, where I support orphaned and needy children back home in Senegal (West Africa). Through babysitting, I not only care for children with love and patience, but I also dedicate part of my time and earnings to helping those in need. What I Offer: Loving, attentive, and safe childcare CPR & First Aid certified care Fun playtime, reading, and creative games French-speaking caregiver (I can introduce or teach French to your little one if you’d like) Responsible, trustworthy, and committed to treating your child as if they were my own Why Families Choose Me: Children feel comfortable and happy around me because I make every interaction fun, warm, and full of kindness. My goal is to make both children and parents feel safe and supported. 💓 I’d be honored to become part of your family’s support system and care for your little one with dedication and love. I look forward to meeting you!

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How much does an emergency babysitter cost in Washington, DC?

  • Average hourly rate for 1 child: $23.32
  • Average hourly rate for 2 children: $28.03
  • Typical job length: 4.9 hours
  • Most requested times: Evening

As of October 2026

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.

1,349 sitters background checked in Washington, DC

4.9 average star rating from total of 5,717 reviews in Washington, DC

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?

As of October 2026, babysitting rates in Washington average $23.32 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 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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