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Find a last-minute babysitter in Berkeley, CA

Need a sitter on short notice? Berkeley families find trusted, background checked babysitters on UrbanSitter.

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253 available last-minute babysitters in Berkeley, CA

Families in Berkeley use UrbanSitter for last-minute date nights, schedule changes, backup care, and same-day babysitter needs.
231 available today | Avg hourly rate: $30.90/hr

All babysitters shown here are background checked every year. Learn more.

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Milena
Booked by 165 repeat families
209 reviews
$30 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 323 families in Berkeley, CA

Hi, I’m Nina. I’m a reliable, calm, and experienced caregiver based in Berkeley and Santa Clara Valley. About Me I recently graduated and currently offer babysitting for families looking for someone dependable, warm, and experienced. I take childcare seriously and bring a steady, grounded energy into the home. Experience I have over 10 years of paid childcare experience with children ranging from 2 months to 14 years old. My background includes working as an au pair on the East Coast, a full-time nanny in San Francisco, and a babysitter in Los Angeles. I’m comfortable with dinner routines, bedtime, bath time, light meal prep, homework support, and caring for multiple children at once. I’m organized, attentive, and responsive to each child’s individual needs. My Approach I focus on creating a structured but relaxed environment where children feel safe, supported, and encouraged to be themselves. For date nights, I aim to keep the evening calm, smooth, and fun while maintaining the family’s usual routine. My style is balanced, consistent, respectful, and calm. I believe children thrive with clear expectations, kindness, and patience. Outside of work, I enjoy the beach, long walks, and a quiet night with a good book. I also have a dog and a cat, so I’m very comfortable around pets. I look forward to connecting and seeing if we’re a good fit!

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Rebecca
Booked by 179 repeat families
216 reviews
$24 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 364 families in Berkeley, CA

Hello! My name is Rebecca, but just Becky's fine :) I earned my Bachelors Degree in Theatre Arts (performance emphasis) from San Francisco State University with honors in 2015 and my master’s degree in clinical psychology from Pepperdine University just this year! I am about to start full time work as an associate marriage and family therapist. I had heard so many great things about Urban Sitter from friends, so I decided to join in on the fun in 2015! I worked for Urban Sitter from 2015 to 2023, everything from occasional to full time. Unfortunately I had to take a medical leave last year—but now I’m healthy, out of school and can’t wait to work with your kids again. It might not be my full time job anymore, but kids are the best reprieve from the stressors of my day job. I have experience with a wide age range, from kids as young as two weeks to as old as eleven years. I've worked with over 100 families by now, so I'm pretty well prepared for what's thrown my way! I'd say the age range I tend to work best with is infant to toddler--but that's not to say I don't enjoy working with kids older. Got a seven year old obsessed with Pokemon? Me too. I'm all for it. Can't wait to meet and hang out with your wonderful kids! Note: Due to ever increasing gas prices and bridge toll, please note that I will usually not travel to SF or across another bridge for a job less than $100 overall. This of course does not include any jobs I may apply to on the job board. There may be outliers to this rule (for example: if I’m already in SF that day), so it never hurts to message me and ask!

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Kresta Rae
Booked by 194 repeat families
153 reviews
$40 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 339 families in Berkeley, CA

I have 20+ years experience working with newborns to teens. I’ve spent over a decade as a professional nanny/sitter in San Francisco Bay Area. I usually work with newborns/ infants/ toddlers, so I'm fully vaccinated with documentation. Received a certificate of completion as a newborn care specialist from Newborn Care Training Academy. My earliest childcare experience comes from growing up in a big family. I have 6 siblings and they have 10 kids who I've helped raise. In previous jobs, my duties included dog-walking, driving, light housekeeping/cooking, kid's laundry, sleep training, potty-training, baby-led weaning, baby massage, baby sign language, using cloth diapers, working in a nanny share, caring for twins/multiples, and physical therapy (epilepsy). I was a teacher's aide for preschool, kindergarten, and 1st grade. I've tutored K-12 students in reading and writing comprehension, basic class assignments and computer literacy. I’ve taught melodic percussion and play the ukulele. I can handle multiple children because I worked as a Kid's Club Attendant at 24-Hour Fitness --- busy with arts & crafts, jungle gym, song and dance parties. I drive to work from Berkeley Hills. Please let me know if there's any parking restrictions where you live (street cleaning/other parking rules). ________ VACCINATIONS Flu: 1/8/2026 Covid-19: 9/28/2025 HepB: 11/23/2016 Tdap: 11/22/2016 ________ - Adult/Pediatric CPR/First Aid/AED certified 5/3/25 - Member of International Nanny Association - CA Trustline Certified ________ POLICIES I expect to be paid the same whether the child is asleep/awake with the exception of overnight/travel jobs. Let's discuss expectations and negotiate. EARLY/LATE RETURNS: This work is my main source of income. Because I plan my time and budget around the hours booked, I ask to be paid for the entire booking even if you come home early. I'm usually flexible on the end time of a booking, but text/call if you'll be late, especially if we have not discussed flexibility beforehand. I occasionally book jobs back-to-back with just enough time for travel in between, and your late return can have an unfortunate impact on my schedule. CANCELLATIONS: For cancellations with less than 48 hours notice, I expect 50% of the original booking amount.

“our daughter loves Kresta! we're definitely asking her to return next time we need a sitter. she was on time and knew exactly how to make our baby feel comfortable from the moment she arrived ”

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Linda
Booked by 96 repeat families
110 reviews
$35 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 190 families in Berkeley, CA

Hello! I'm Linda — a trained classical singer, Montessori-informed, and 10-year nanny who genuinely loves the kiddos! I love their hilarious personalities, and believe the care and attention we give them early on shapes everything they become. (Most experience with infants and toddlers) SF native now located in North Oakland, I hold a BA from UC Davis alongside child development coursework — and I'm inspired in my work by Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan, who remind me that nurturing a child's full potential through care, structure, and encouragement is everything. My approach is firm but loving: building trust through warmth, calm guidance, and patience — guiding behavior thoughtfully rather than relying heavily on "no." Two of my ten years were spent caring for twins from infancy to toddlerhood, so I'm well practiced at juggling many demands at once! Infant care is where I feel most at home — sleep training, bottle feeding, gas relief, intro to purees & solids, BLW, tummy time, baby milestone developments, fine and large motor skills, administering medicine, and more. I am vaccinated for COVID, TDAP, and MMR, and CPR-certified for children and infants. I thrive in a collaborative nanny-parent partnership built on trust, open communication, and mutual respect — keeping parents connected through regular updates, photos, and texts, and adapting to each family's unique values and rhythms. My primary role is as a nanny, with a strong focus on nurturing each child's development and growth. I am not seeking a combined nanny + housekeeping/mother's helper position — though I'm open to extra non-child related tasks (clearly set & agreed upon) at a higher rate.* I also love incorporating music into childcare and offer beginner voice lessons! In my 20s I worked for a Bay Area nonprofit that I still volunteer with today. Contract agreements required for jobs 4+ wks. (Just so we're both on the same page on everything :) ) 3hrs booking or less - $120 flat. Same-day cancellations charged in full.

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Isabelle
Booked by 26 repeat families
43 reviews
$28 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 67 families in Berkeley, CA

Hey there! My name is Isabelle. I’m a Bay Area native and I’ve been babysitting for 10+ years, including several stints as a long term nanny. I have experience with all ages, but really love the magic of pre-k/early elementary ages. I graduated from Cal Poly SLO a few years ago and recently returned to the Bay Area- I’m currently looking for weekend or date night bookings. I previously attended San Domenico school in San Anselmo where I raced mountain bikes before returning to coach their mountain biking team part-time. I'm WFA, CPR, and AED certified and have coached multiple mountain bike camps in Marin county, which gave me a lot of experience with tweens and teens. During my time in SLO I worked in nanny shares and for a family with twin preschoolers, so I also have extensive experience juggling multiple toddlers at once :) I love art and cooking, and am more than happy to do creative projects with your kiddos, bake healthy treats with them, or get them outside on a hike or bike ride!

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How much does a last-minute babysitter cost in Berkeley, CA?

  • Average hourly rate for 1 child: $30.90
  • Average hourly rate for 2 children: $36.80
  • Typical job length: 4.7 hours
  • Most requested times: Morning

As of October 2026

Recent babysitter activity in Berkeley, CA

Trust matters, especially on short notice

Babysitters on UrbanSitter are background checked every year, with every profile individually reviewed by our Trust and Safety team.

2,531 sitters background checked in Berkeley, CA

5.0 average star rating from total of 30,315 reviews in Berkeley, CA

photo of quoted parent Marie

"Amina came and helped us out when our babysitter canceled last minute. She was great with our kids. Even our 11 month old son who has stranger anxiety warmed up to her."

Marie C., parent

photo of quoted parent Jenny

"She was so flexible and came last minute to help out. The house was really neat when I got home and both kids were asleep. Two thumbs up!"

Jenny S., parent

photo of quoted parent Jesse

"Thrisa was amazing! Came over last minute and took amazing care of our 11 month old - including bedtime - she's coming back tomorrow :)"

Jesse D., parent

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Find a last-minute babysitter in Berkeley

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Why Berkeley families choose UrbanSitter for last-minute child care

Quick responses when plans change

In most cities, average response time for last-minute requests is under two minutes.

Recommended by Berkeley families

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Background checked, every year

Every babysitter clears an annual background check, offering peace of mind even on short notice.

Read reviews, then decide

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Frequently asked questions about finding a last-minute babysitter in Berkeley

How do I find a last-minute babysitter in Berkeley?

Sign up on UrbanSitter, enter your zip code, and submit a request with your timing and care needs. Babysitters near Berkeley who are available can respond to your request. Before choosing, you can view profiles, parent reviews, and shared connections.

How much does a last-minute babysitter cost in Berkeley?

As of October 2026, the average babysitting rate in Berkeley is $30.90 per hour for one child. Rates vary by experience, number of children, and time of day. See babysitting rates in Berkeley.

Are babysitters on UrbanSitter background checked?

Yes. Every babysitter on UrbanSitter completes an annual background check. You can also read reviews from Berkeley families and see shared connections before you book. See what's included in the background check.

Can I find a same-day babysitter in Berkeley?

Same-day requests are common on UrbanSitter. Submit a request with your timing and care needs, and available sitters in Berkeley can respond. In most cities, the average response time for urgent requests is under two minutes.

Should I pay more for a last-minute babysitter?

Some parents offer a slightly higher rate for last-minute or same-day requests, but it is not required. On UrbanSitter, rates are set by individual babysitters. You can see each babysitter's hourly rate on their profile before you book.

What if I need a babysitter last minute today?

To find a last-minute babysitter today, share your timing and care needs on UrbanSitter. Available babysitters in Berkeley can respond, and you can review profiles before choosing.

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