River Forest 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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Families in River Forest turn to UrbanSitter for emergency and same-day babysitting.
132 available today | Avg hourly rate: $22.62/hr
Every babysitter on UrbanSitter completes an annual background check, and every profile is individually reviewed by our Trust and Safety team. Learn more.
Available for Last-Minute & Backup Care Hi Parents, Thank you for taking a moment to learn about me! I'm Agatha, and I bring 11 years of childcare experience with children ranging from newborns to teens. I specialize in providing reliable, last-minute, and occasional care for date nights, backup coverage, and one-off sits. Skills & Certifications • CPR and First Aid certified • Early Childhood Development training • Montessori Method approach • Strong swimmer and licensed driver • Comfortable caring for sick children • Flexible, punctual, and trustworthy Experience • 11 years in professional childcare, including daycare, preschool, and live-in nanny roles • Tutoring/homeschooling support for pre-K and 1st-grade students • Extensive experience adapting quickly to new families and routines - ideal for occasional or short-notice care Why Families Choose Me I know that inviting someone new into your home for even one evening takes trust. I focus on making that transition smooth - for both your children and you. I arrive prepared, follow your routines closely, and keep you updated so you can enjoy your night knowing your kids are in caring, capable hands. Need a sitter tonight or want a trusted backup on standby? I specialize in one-time bookings (date nights, emergency coverage, and occasional care) and can adapt quickly to your household's routine with little notice. Looking forward to hearing from you, Agatha Higgins
“Agatha did a great job with our 2 month old. She asked great questions about his routine and care, and executed it perfectly. Our son took an instant liking to her and we are looking forward to having Agatha babysit him again soon.”
Hi there! I am Blanca and I have had a passion for school and education ever since I was in kindergarten! I recently reconnected with some family after 17 years and turns out I have nieces and nephews, so I decided to take a break from teaching to travel often and spend time with them. While I am enjoying living life as a lady of leisure when back in town, I do miss working with younger children, so I am looking for occasional/one-time babysitting jobs where I can help out parents and have fun-filled days with children. I am a graduate of Dominican University, where I studied elementary, ESL, bilingual education, and translation & interpretation. I have experience working as a high school and elementary teacher, K-12 substitute teacher, teacher’s assistant, daycare center lead teacher, and camp teacher; as well as babysitting from months-old babies to teenagers. I am very patient, caring and attentive. I began my paid experience babysitting for my former teachers and employers, who then referred me to their friends and they to theirs, and so on, so I’ve become an occasional sitter for several families while I’m not teaching, but this year I am looking for occasional jobs to make better use of my time until the next school year starts. I love anything puzzle-related; I’m a pro at hide-and-seek, and can do arts and crafts out of anything! My music taste range is insane! I also haven’t owned a tv in over 8 years, so I never resort to screen time… unless your child turns it on and I can’t figure out how to turn it off for a few minutes. In my spare time, I enjoy nature, music, brain teasers, origami, and cleaning, to name a few things. Fun fact: I can drive and ride a motorcycle, but I have yet to learn to ride a regular bike!
“Blanca was professional, caring, and committed. I also really appreciated that she spoke Spanish to our kid while she was caring for her. I would feel very confident recommending Blanca to other families.”
Hi! My name is Jennifer. I’m 35 years old and have been a trusted nanny and sitter for nearly 20 years. Caring for children has always been something I truly enjoy, and I feel very grateful that I’ve been able to work with so many wonderful families over the years. I have worked long-term with three families in Chicago up until the end of last year, each with two boys ranging from infancy to 13 years old. During that time, I supported daily routines including morning and evening care, meal preparation, and school drop-offs. I’ve guided children through developmental milestones, fostered independence, and helped manage sibling dynamics with patience and consistency. These experiences have given me the versatility and skill to adapt to the unique needs of each child and family. I recently transitioned out of working FT in Chicago and am now spending more time in central Illinois to be closer to family. While I’m here, I’m also beginning a transition into learning sales and business. My approach to childcare is rooted in patience, respect, and open communication. I believe children thrive in environments where their emotions are acknowledged, their independence is encouraged, and they feel safe expressing themselves. I tend to align with Montessori-inspired ideas and believe discipline should always be thoughtful, respectful, and focused on helping children understand their feelings and actions. Outside of childcare, I love reading, studying health and wellness, spending time outdoors, and enjoying nature whenever I can. I’m also currently learning to play the piano, which has been a fun new challenge. I’m a big animal lover as well and have a tortoiseshell cat of my own, so pets are always a bonus in the home. There is no greater compliment to me than being someone a parent feels they can truly trust with their children. I care deeply about creating a calm, supportive environment where kids feel safe, respected, and cared for.
I am a first grade teacher who has been teaching for 14 years. I live in Bridgeport but I babysit all over the city. I have a car so I can provide my own transportation. Families of the children that I babysit for have praised me for being fun, firm, and fair. I truly love kids and can’t wait to meet your family!
“We used Lisa for the first time and she easily connected with our kids and had no issues. Our daughter was asking where Lisa was the next morning and said she had a great time with her!”
Looking for date night families and part time summer jobs. . I have decades of experience working with children of all ages and am a certified teacher. I am known as dependable, fun, and caring. I am great at telling stories, reading books, doing crafts, trips to the park, and singing children's songs. I am a mom of two sons as well as a certified teacher and tutor.
“Edith was wonderful! From the moment she arrived, she made my daughter laugh and feel comfortable. She brought such a warm, positive energy and connected with her right away. Edith also made sure bedtime went smoothly and got her to sleep right on time. I really appreciated her calm and caring presence.”
As of October 2026
All UrbanSitter babysitters are background checked every year. Profiles are individually reviewed by our Trust and Safety team.
878 sitters background checked in River Forest, IL
4.9 average star rating from total of 4,958 reviews in River Forest, IL
"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
"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
"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
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Sharing your friends list is optional, and allows us to connect you with sitters they book and recommend. Nothing will be shared or posted.
See which babysitters have been hired by parents in your River Forest neighborhood, school, or parenting group.
Average response times for last-minute requests are under two minutes in most areas.
Every babysitter completes an annual background check, offering peace of mind when you need it most.
Read reviews from local families, see repeat family counts, and compare profiles before you choose.
Ideas for when there is an emergency and you need a sitter today.
A printable card to leave with your sitter in case of an emergency.
