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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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Mary Elizabeth $20 per hour for 1 child

Hello! My name is Mary Elizabeth, and I am a recent college graduate who just moved to Washington, DC. I grew up babysitting for families in my church and was a camp counselor for many years. I also grew up on a farm taking care of dogs, cats, and horses! I am a dependable and responsible person with great attention to detail. I have experience with all ages. I was a cross country and track runner in college, so I love being active and I have plenty of energy to play with kiddos! I have experience tutoring as well, and would love to help out with homework.

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Bet $20 per hour for 1 child

Hi! My name is Betsabe, but everyone calls me Bet 🙂 I'm a loving, patient, and responsible caregiver. I might be a little shy with adults at first, but I'm completely silly and fun with children! I have 10 years of extensive childcare experience, including 1 year of professional caregiving here in the USA. My experience spans all age groups, from newborns to teenagers. My primary language is Spanish, so I'm happy to help children practice their Spanish language skills! Also, one of my personal goals is to improve my English, which makes me even more motivated to communicate clearly and engage. I truly enjoy making little friends and creating warm and loving connections with children. I focus on providing a safe, nurturing, and happy environment where children feel supported, cared for, and comfortable being themselves. I use my diverse skills in Photography, Arts and Crafts, Cooking, Sports (Running, Cycling, Soccer, Swimming), and Dance to encourage creativity, healthy habits, and fun learning in every interaction. I am also happy to provide homework assistance and tutoring. I have a valid driver's license and a clean driving record for safe transportation, if needed. I’m also a huge animal lover and am happy to help care for family pets (dogs, cats, etc.) as needed. Professional Credentials: • Red Cross - Advanced Child Care Training Course Certificate. • First Aid and CPR Certified. • Childcare Accident Prevention Promoter. Specialized Training: • MIDO expert for girls and adolescents. • Focus on boys and girls growing up healthy. • Integrating Arts and Science into children's lives.

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

Hi! I’m Shannon and I've just finished my Master’s at the London School of Economics and recently moved back to Washington, D.C. I went to George Washington University for undergrad and have lived in D.C. for almost seven years, so I know the area well and love being back in the city. I’ve been babysitting since I was 13 and have worked with kids of all ages, from tiny newborns to energetic middle schoolers. I absolutely love spending time with kids and finding fun, creative things to do together (whether that’s setting up a scavenger hunt around the house, crafting, dancing, or planning activities that match their unique interests)! In the past, I’ve also tutored and taught ballet, so I’m always happy to help with homework or come up with ways to get everyone moving and having fun. I used to do school and activity pick-ups (though I don’t have a car in D.C. right now), and I’m more than happy to help out around the house by cooking dinner, tidying up, or running light errands. I’m a big animal lover too! I have lots of experience with dogs and some with cats, and I even volunteered at an animal rescue for a few years. Families I’ve worked with in the past have described me as dependable, warm, and creative and I’d be happy to share references. My schedule is very flexible right now as I’m job-hunting, so I can easily adjust to what your family needs. Looking forward to meeting you and your little ones!

Shannon was a fantastic babysitter for my 9 year old daughter. They did crafts and art projects together and had a great time. My daughter can’t wait to see her again! Shannon was responsible, punctual, and a good communicator, and I definitely recommend her as a babysitter. She even was able to adjust the time at the last minute for me.

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Kaia $30 per hour for 1 child

My name is Kaia and I’ve been responsible for taking care of and looking after children in various capacities. Whether it be my baby cousins, the neighborhood toddler, youth camps, or VBS I’ve been able to keep kids entertained and orderly. I’m good at arts and crafts, reading in different voices, creating dance routines, and playing pretend. Additionally, I have a French bulldog that has required a number of medical needs and attention. For 8+ years I did commercial cleaning services.

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Harry
Booked by 1 repeat family
1 review
$30 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 1 family in Washington, DC

Lifelong dog-owner who works from home. Three walks per day minimum, one of which is usually a nice long walk in the woods! Resident dog is Milo, a big fluffy mystery-mutt.

Harry was fantastic!! He picked up Amy and gave her a fantastic play date with his pup Milo!

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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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