Family with caregiver

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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308 available babysitters in Washington, DC

Families in Washington turn to UrbanSitter for emergency and same-day babysitting.
191 available today | Avg hourly rate: $23.33/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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Claire 5 reviews
$18 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 4 families in Washington, DC

Hi! My name is Claire, and I'm a recent college graduate from Columbia University. I love working with kids, and have been tutoring, babysitting, and volunteering as a camp counselor since I was 14 years old. I've worked with youth of all ages, from kindergarteners to high schoolers, for about ten years. I am currently an English tutor and volunteer mentor to refugee high school students with the International Rescue Committee. I consider myself a friendly person who loves reading bedtime stories and crafting. I'm more than happy to help with homework as well. While I'm not a native speaker, I was a Spanish tutor in high school and would be happy to help little ones with introductory level language practice. I'm also more than happy to help care for any furry friends or elderly loved ones you have at home. I look forward to meeting you! Update: Hi everyone, thank you to all the lovely families with whom I have had the joy of working during my time in DC! I will be moving to New York in June to begin a new job, so I unfortunately will only be able to take on one-time jobs over the next month for families in DC. Thank you!

“Claire was great! Our daughter kept talking about her the next day. ”

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Tanesha
Booked by 12 repeat families
18 reviews
$22 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 23 families in Washington, DC

Hello, My name is Tanesha. I am 26years old. I have a Master’s in Special Education with a concentration in ABA. I have 7 years in the special education field from teaching to an registered behavior technician. I have 2 beautiful children of my own; 5 year old daughter and a 3 year old son. I have a passion for children!!! I LOVE interacting and engaging with children. Education George Mason University - Master’s degree June 2021

“We adore her. She’s professional and has a passion for kids you can tell it’s naturally in her. We love it. Our kids love her. ”

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Ashley
Booked by 2 repeat families
4 reviews
$25 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 4 families in Washington, DC

I’m an educator who currently works at a PreK–12 school and have experience working with children and teens of different ages and personalities. I’m patient, dependable, attentive, and love making sure kids are safe while still having fun! Depending on what your kiddos enjoy, I’m always down for arts and crafts, baking, board games, movie nights, trips to the park, library outings, or coming up with a fun activity at home. I’m also happy to help with homework, meals, bedtime routines, and transportation. I have my own reliable car and am comfortable with school pickups/drop-offs and getting kids to activities. I’m also happy to help around the house with laundry, dishes, tidying up, and light cleaning. I’m flexible and happy to work with whatever routines make things easiest for your family.

“We think Ashley is fantastic! She’s so sweet and the babies love her. Definitely hire her!”

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hillary
Booked by 4 repeat families
4 reviews
$20 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 5 families in Washington, DC

I have over 5 years of experience with caring for children of all ages whether new borns or teens. It started with taking care of family members being a first- born daughter in my big family and expanding to neighbors and friends. With a degree in business management and training in psychology, I bring patience, understanding, and the ability to engage children of all ages in age-appropriate activities. My experience as a certified HCA caregiver, including a year of live-in care, has further developed my ability to ensure safety and wellbeing. I follow parents' guidelines for discipline and respect each family’s preferences. Additionally, I can assist with light housework, keeping tasks within the home. I prioritize clear communication with parents to provide the best care possible for their children. Can’t wait to meet future families 😊

“Hilary was great! She very quickly connect with my toddler and handled the bedtime routine perfectly. She was so kind and professional. We’ll definitely have her back.”

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Kate
Booked by 5 repeat families
5 reviews
$25 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 8 families in Washington, DC

Hi! I graduated from the University of Michigan as a Master of Social Work candidate, where I specialized in working with children and families. I have been babysitting for 10 years now, and have experience with all ages, including newborns

“Kate had great questions beforehand, arrived early, and was so warm + personable with the kids. Would certainly hire her again!”

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

  • Average hourly rate for 1 child: $23.33
  • Average hourly rate for 2 children: $28.01
  • Typical job length: 4.8 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.

1,342 sitters background checked in Washington, DC

4.9 average star rating from total of 5,705 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

Share your needs and hear from available sitters.

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 $23.33 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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