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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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Sarah
Booked by 3 repeat families
4 reviews
$35 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 6 families in Berkeley, CA

Hello! I’m a kind, calm, reliable, and punctual teacher with a true passion for working with children. I have extensive experience caring for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children, and I bring both warmth and professionalism to every family I support. I’m also regularly booked through BPN, where I have ongoing relationships with many families. Select BPN Testimonials: 1. “Hello BPN Community - I would like to recommend Sarah who is available as an evening / weekend babysitter! We’ve had a wonderful experience with Sarah. She is incredibly engaging with our 3 year old, always coming prepared with age-appropriate activities, books, and creative ways to keep her interested. She also moves comfortably between caring for our preschooler and infant daughters, handling the transitions with ease. Her calm, steady presence makes our whole household feel more relaxed when Sarah is around. She communicates clearly with us, while she's at home with us and in between sessions if there are any logistics to align on. Most importantly, she’s been very reliable—showing up on time and ready to jump in every single visit. We’re grateful to have her support and would highly recommend her to any family looking for a thoughtful, capable, and trustworthy babysitter during evenings and weekends.” 2. “We'd love to recommend our babysitter Sarah. What we appreciate most is that Sarah is an experienced educator. She brings games and thoughtful, educational activities that keep our child engaged, learning, and having fun.” Education & Experience I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Development with a concentration in Early Childhood Development. With years of hands-on experience, I understand the importance of nurturing the whole child—emotionally, socially, and intellectually. I pour my heart into helping each child grow into a confident, compassionate human being ready to thrive in the world. Certifications First Aid & CPR Certified Full Background Check Clearance A Little More About Me In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my three incredible daughters, as well as photography, concerts, trying new cuisines, and spoiling my sweet cat. Let’s Connect! I would love the opportunity to support your family and provide a safe, loving, and enriching environment for your child. I look forward to connecting with you soon! I look forward to working with you! – Sarah Scope of Care Bookings focus on childcare

“Sarah is clearly a teacher - she brought a full bag of tricks (books, puzzles) and my toddler listened to her (dinner, bedtime routine) in a way that he never does with us! She was professional and kind and cared enough to debrief with us when the night ended.”

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Zama $25 per hour for 1 child

Hi there! My name is Zama and I am a nanny, who is dependable and experienced childcare professional with over 7 years of hands-on experience caring for children of all ages, including infants, toddlers, school age children, and teenagers. While earning my Business degree at City College of San Francisco. I worked closely with families, helping not only with childcare but also with keeping busy households running smoothly. From preparing meals, grocery shopping, running errands, to driving children to school and activities, planning schedules and helping with homework, I became someone families could rely on. I would describe myself as patient, flexible, resourceful and calm under pressure. Every child is different, and I enjoy getting to know their unique personalities while supporting their growth and independence. My goal is simple: to be someone parents can trust and someone their kids feel happy, safe and excited to spend time with.

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Esther $20 per hour for 1 child

Hi👋🏾. My name is Esther. I’m originally from Kenya and I live in Berkeley,CA and was at Grad school at UC Berkeley. Majority of my sitting experience has been with close friends and family members. I’ve also previously worked at a kid’s summer camp for 6 years. In my spare time I like to read, bake and hike.

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Toshaleza
Booked by 2 repeat families
4 reviews
$30 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 2 families in Berkeley, CA

Hi, my name is Toshaleza (pronounced TOE-SHUH-LAY-ZUH) and most people call me Tosha. I was born and raised in California into a huge extended family and having always had a way with babies and small children, I was the kid that happily babysat my younger cousins and family friends for free (until my mom insisted I start charging for my services😄). Professionally, I have worked with children for 28 years (8 as a Montessori preschool teacher and 20 as a nanny). As a nanny I have had the pleasure of working with 4 great families caring for 9 amazing children and 1 really cool dog. I was with the first family for 7 years (the children were 11 y/o, 6 y/o, and 4 1/2 m/o when I started), the second family for 9 months (the children were 2 1/2 y/o and 3 w/o when I started), the third family for 2 years (the child was 2 y/o when I started), and the fourth family for 10 years (the children were 4 y/o, 1 y/o, in utero, and their dog was 6 y/o when I started). I just completed a 3 month temporary engagement as a Mother’s helper with a wonderful family (supporting the mom with their premature newborn twins). So, I am open to short term or long term positions and have worked with children from newborn to teens. I am kind, conscientious, loving, patient, respectful, organized, reliable, observant, communicative, encouraging, consistent, direct, engaging, and playful. I am looking for a part-time (20 - 36 hours per week) nanny position and will be available to start immediately.

“Tosha has been fantastic with our daughter. She brings a balance of real educational background and genuine warmness.”

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Scout 1 review
$25 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 1 family in Berkeley, CA

Hi there! I’m Scout. I’m a reliable, friendly, and creative caregiver with experience working with kids from toddler age through high school. In addition to my day job as a swim instructor in San Francisco, I’ve taught after-school programs, professionally run Dungeons & Dragons campaigns for children ages 9-16 (and casually for family and friends of all ages), and spent most of last year as a live-in caregiver for two children under 10 before the family moved out of town. I bring patience, empathy, and a love of hands-on learning to every job. Always happy to help with homework, organize crafts and games, or help keep things calm and structured during busy moments. Kids tend to feel comfortable and confident around me, and I take pride in creating a fun, supportive environment for them to learn and grow. I love how so often the littlest humans are the most authentic (and, at times, brutally and hilariously honest) of us all. I’m also a life-long cat lover (I grew up with some incredibly beloved kitties back home in NYC, and I currently have a sweet boy who loves spending his evenings switching between my roommates and my rooms for snuggles), and am always happy to help out with kitties. I’m also happy to help out with chores around the house or running errands, as I get that having a few extra tasks off your plate can make a day far less overwhelming. When I’m not working with kids or giving swimming lessons, you can find me planning my next big hike (I recently completed the Appalachian Trail), reading, spending time with my family, or working on a new D&D campaign.

“We absolutely love having Scout care for our kids. They are incredibly energetic, playful, and fully engaged. As a swim instructor, they confidently swim with the kids and actively teach them, which has been amazing for building both skills and confidence. They also jump right into imaginative play—Barbies, LEGOs, and creative games—and love getting outside for hikes and adventures. Our kids adore them, and we always felt they were safe, happy, and having so much fun. We would highly recommend Scout to any family looking for someone active, trustworthy, and genuinely great with kids.”

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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

Family with caregiver

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

See which babysitters have been hired by parents at your child's school, preschool, or neighborhood in Berkeley.

Background checked, every year

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

Read reviews, then decide

See parent reviews, repeat families, and average response times to find the right fit fast.

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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