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.
169 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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Gayatri
Booked by 6 repeat families
5 reviews
$13 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 12 families in Washington, DC

Hi! My name is Gayatri and I'm a babysitter with ~10 of experience with children ages 1 - 14. I have a bachelor's degree in Economics and Creative Writing from UNC Chapel Hill (class of 2014) and currently work in Georgetown in branding / communications for non-profits and foundations. In my free time I like to read, write fiction, and cook! I love babysitting because it's fun -- I love getting to know children over games, arts and crafts, homework, and playing with their friends. I have experience working with boys and girls and enjoy babysitting actual babies as well as older school-age children :) I'm looking forward to meeting your family!

“Our nine-year-old son had a great time with Gayatri! We'd definitely hire her again.”

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Bryn
Booked by 6 repeat families
8 reviews
$25 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 14 families in Washington, DC

Hi! My name is Bryn, I’m 25 and a registered nurse in the ICU at Georgetown Hospital. I’m CPR certified and previously volunteered as an EMT. I have a car and clean driving record, passed a background check and drug test for work, and of course am fully vaccinated. I grew up (and still live) in Arlington and I have been babysitting in this area since high school. I joined Urban Sitter since all those kids are older now! I spent two summers as a nanny here, working with a 3 year old and then a set of 6 year old twins. I was also a lifeguard and have coached youth basketball and ultimate frisbee. I have a younger brother with ADHD and have spent many hours tutoring him. I have a math background (majored in statistics at UVA) but also love reading and writing, so I’m always happy to help with any homework. While babysitting, I enjoy doing crafts, reading, board/card games, and playing outside when the weather is nice. I adore all pets and don’t mind helping out with walking or feeding. I also always make sure to clean up after meals, activities, etc. Let me know if you have any questions and I look forward to hearing from you!!

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Maria
Booked by 2 repeat families
2 reviews
$20 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 4 families in Washington, DC

Hi, it is Maria.... i'm asian from Indonesia. I have an experience with kids from infants to preschoolers. Currently I work at childcare and i have studies from Early Childhood Education and lots of training around children. I love to take care kids , I enjoy teaching them, singing to them, reading stories, and playing them. I as well have my own child, she is currently a teenager

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Angela
Booked by 3 repeat families
5 reviews
$20 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 12 families in Washington, DC

Hello! I am fun, caring, and dependable and have 3+ years of experience working with preschool and elementary age children in different childcare, after-school, and classroom settings. I currently work as a tutor at an elementary school in DCPS. I love getting to know and spend time with kids-- playing games, doing arts and crafts, reading, exploring, and more! I strive to ensure all kids feel safe, loved, and supported as they learn and grow. I am happy to help with homework, chores, and other housekeeping tasks. I am patient, empathetic, and creative, and will go the extra mile to ensure your children are well cared for!

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Alex
Booked by 2 repeat families
4 reviews
$20 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 5 families in Washington, DC

Hello, I am a 33 year old professional in the nonprofit sector. However, I have many years of experience working with kids. I have worked at YMCA afterschool programs, substitute teaching, as a professional, helped with remote learning, worked at summer camps as a counselor, and have facilitated college preparation workshops for children in grades 7-12. I have a Masters in Public Administration and a bachelors in Public Communication. In my free time, I enjoy exploring the city, being outside, running and hiking and trying new food! I work full-time during the week, so I am looking for some evenings and weekends.

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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: $27.99
  • 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.

1,345 sitters background checked in Washington, DC

4.9 average star rating from total of 5,796 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 $23.32 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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