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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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Thali
Booked by 52 repeat families
50 reviews
$35 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 81 families in Berkeley, CA

Hi - My name is Thalissa but you can call me Thali! I’ve been working with kids since I was 16, but my first experience came with my little sister’s birth almost 20 years ago. I started by taking care of her and then began babysitting for my neighbors back in Brazil. I’ve been working with different families in America since I got here 9 years ago. I am in the Berkeley area but also have worked in Oakland, Piedmont, Orinda, Moraga, Kensington, Albany, El Cerrito, and Alameda. I just had a baby girl mid April last year and took a break to enjoy motherhood! I am now back looking for new families! Please let me know if you think we could work well together and we can talk more about it. I have plenty of experience with infants, toddlers and older kids. I can also help with light housework and meal prepping. Last minute/same day requests: I will always try to accommodate as best as I can for same-day and last-minute requests, but please do keep in mind that I also have to find care for my child unless you are comfortable with me bringing her along. Cancelation policy: Please note that a 24 hour notice is expected for cancelations. If you happen to cancel a job and not allowed for a 24 hour notice, I expect to be paid for 50% of the agreed upon hours. If you cancel a job less than 12 hours before start time, I expect to be paid for all of the agreed upon hours. Emergencies do occur, but please take into account that this is my only source of income. Additionally, I always expect to be paid for all of the hours booked, even if you come home earlier or if the booking hours are changed less than a week before the job booked. This policy helps me structure and commit to my schedule, and allows for a mutual and transparent agreement. Work policy: I do not charge for cleaning after the kids and of course myself, and light housekeeping, but if it is expected housework and not agreed to beforehand I am not responsible for fulfilling it. I also charge 1.5x my rate for big holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. Thank you. Thali

“Thali was punctual, respectful, and great with the kids. They seem to feel comfortable in her presence even though we usually only have family watching them. Highly recommend!”

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Laura
Booked by 120 repeat families
146 reviews
$34 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 248 families in Berkeley, CA

I am thrilled to join the Urbansitter community, and am looking forward to meeting and building relationships with families in the Bay Area. I have over 10 years of professional babysitting experience, and am comfortable working with children of all ages. I am very warm, engaging and attentive, and take pride in my ability to inspire the children I work with to learn, grow and explore within healthily established boundaries.

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Lovedia
Booked by 64 repeat families
60 reviews
$28 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 129 families in Berkeley, CA

Hey there! Thank you for taking the time to view my Profile! I am an experienced Nanny and Family Assistant. I graduated high school at the Las Vegas Academy of Performing and Visual Arts majoring in Voice Performance, and continued my education at AAU in San Francisco. I love singing and introducing kids to music and artistry. I also love nature and exploring! I have extensive childcare experience. Having 14 siblings, of which I am the oldest, I am very comfortable caring for children! I have been in the field of childcare for 15+ years, and are knowledgeable of infants and children of all ages. I really enjoy watching kiddos grow into amazing, independent people! I enjoy bike riding, skateboarding, trips to the park, and all things active; reading books, teaching signs, expressing emotion and life skills! Keeping the mind open and juices flowing is a must, especially for young growing minds! I look forward to hearing from you soon, Lovedia Doss My Policies: Please notify me if your children are sick, or if you have any pets (so that I am prepared). I require payment for ALL hours booked. Late arrivals without prior knowledge or approval are charged at 1.5x rate.

“Lovedia was awesome! She took care of three under three for an evening with zero issues! Would definitely recommend. ”

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Ebony
Booked by 114 repeat families
189 reviews
$30 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 253 families in Berkeley, CA

Greetings, My name is Ebony and I am Early Childhood Specialist with over 14 years experience. I absoultely love working with children and families. I am not your average babystitter. I believe in the art of caregiving. My is goal is to provide a stimualting enviroment and activites for your children while your away at work, running errands etc.

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Nayely
Booked by 43 repeat families
62 reviews
$28 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 100 families in Berkeley, CA

Caring for children and supporting families is a path I came to through my own upbringing, which gave me a deep appreciation for the importance of emotional support, secure relationships, and attuned caregiving throughout every stage of development. I hold a bachelor's degree in Psychology with a minor in Human Development from UC Davis, and was recently awarded my Masters of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology from The Wright Institute. I am currently in a doctoral program, specializing in childhood development and neurodevelopment disorders. Through my clinical training, I have had the privilege of working alongside children and families, bringing both a strong developmental perspective and genuine warmth to every interaction. My experience caring for children began early and has continued consistently through family, community, and professional caregiving. Over the past 12 years, I have worked with children of various ages and developmental needs, experiences that have shaped an approach grounded in careful observation, thoughtful engagement, and a calm, dependable presence. As a caregiver, I am attentive not only to children's safety and well-being, but also to how they think, feel, and make sense of the world around them. I engage with them intentionally, fostering curiosity, communication, confidence, and emotional awareness through meaningful everyday interactions. My clinical and practicum experiences have further strengthened my ability to meet children where they are developmentally while providing structure, warmth, and consistency. I view caregiving as a meaningful responsibility that requires preparation, sound judgment, and genuine compassion. I would be honored to support a family seeking a caregiver who combines extensive hands-on experience with advanced training in child development and clinical psychology.

“My child immediately fell in love with Nayely- she was so lovely and warm- immediately put me at ease. ”

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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

Submit a request to hear from available sitters.

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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