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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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311 available babysitters in Washington, DC

Families in Washington turn to UrbanSitter for emergency and same-day babysitting.
184 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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Nyeasha
Booked by 21 repeat families
19 reviews
$25 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 34 families in Washington, DC

Hi, My name is Nyeasha and I am a graduate of East Carolina University with a degree in English and a minor in Child Pedagogy. I have been in childcare since I was young. The ages of the children that I have taken care of range from infancy to 11 years. I currently work at a Law Firm during the day so my availability is limited to nights and weekends. I hope to hear from you soon :) -Nyeasha

“Nyeasha is so nice - our 4 year old was immediately comfortable with her and had a good time!”

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Lucy 5 reviews
$20 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 1 family in Washington, DC

My name is Lucy and I work part-time for the education department of a local theater! I'm passionate about children's education, and studied psychology and English at the College of William and Mary. I love kids and have been babysitting since I was 12! I'm also a teacher-- I'm teaching a weekly theater class for toddlers this winter, and various summer camps for three different age groups during the summer. I have over 10 years of experience working with children to develop confidence, imagination, and verbal skills. I'm happy to help with household chores. I also love animals, though I hope you won't hold it against me that I'm a cat person!

“Lucy was an amazing sitter, both kind and willing to jump into whatever three-year-old nonsense came to mind. My daughter truly enjoyed having her visit -- high praise!”

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Jessica
Booked by 1 repeat family
2 reviews
$20 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 1 family in Washington, DC

Hello! My name is Jessica and I am a Midwest native who has happily made a home in Washington, DC for the last 14 years. I am a cat mom to a 4 year old cat Winnie and have grown up with family dogs since the age of 6. I am the youngest of three daughters and am a very lucky aunt to four nieces from the ages of 3-8 years old. I am very fortunate to be close with my family and to get to spend time caring and shaping my nieces. Outside of family, I have experience as a babysitter during all four years of my college experience at American University, ranging from afterschool care for 2+ kids to babysitting during evenings or weekends, assisting with meals, playtime, and homework. In addition, I often pet sit for friends and neighbors, helping with play time, getting in walks, feeding, and litter box cleaning. I would love to connect and see if I am the right fit to care for your kids or animals!

“Jessica was delightful! She arrived early, was pleasant and professional, and jumped right in with the kids. Definitely would recommend her!”

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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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Drew
Booked by 2 repeat families
2 reviews
$25 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 3 families in Washington, DC

I have been caring for children for over 8 years now! I moved to DC from Texas where I babysat, led a middle school girls youth group and volunteered in the children’s ministry of a local nonprofit. I enjoy working with kids because their curiosity and energy keeps me on my toes and reminds me to look for the wonder in life! I value building relationships with every child I babysit and learning about their interests. I will read books, bake, facilitate outdoor games or step back and supervise if your kiddos prefer independent play! I am also happy to take on dishes, laundry, and other house work. I have worked with children ranging from newborns through middle school, and am comfortable with any age. I can also handle multiple at a time; a favorite group of friends I babysat for had 4 kids under 6 with an 8-month old — we had so much fun together! Fun facts: My favorite books from my childhood were Little House on the Prairie and Series of Unfortunate Events, and my favorite board game was Monopoly. Some nitty-gritty: I am vaccinated for COVID & other routine illnesses and I have been background checked through Urban Sitter. I love pets but do not to work in homes with pit bulls.

“Drew was so wonderful with our 5 year old son. She was immediately warm and great with him and came up with creative play ideas and ensured a smooth bedtime. We hope to work with Drew again! ”

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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: 4.8 hours
  • Most requested times: Morning

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.

1,348 sitters background checked in Washington, DC

4.9 average star rating from total of 5,702 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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