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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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Phia
Booked by 49 repeat families
97 reviews
$32 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 172 families in Berkeley, CA

Hi! My name is Phia and I would be happy to work with you. I have been working with children professionally since I was 16 but babysat before then. I have worked with children of varying ages, from infants 3 months and older, toddlers, elementary age, all the way up to young teenagers preparing for high school. I graduated from the University of San Francisco with a BA in sociology in May 2022. I now work as a project coordinator supervising youth development and policy at a local non-profit. I still work with babysitting families 1-2 times a week. In the Bay Area, I have worked as an after-school program leader for the YMCA in SFUSD, as well as a classroom aid. Beyond this, I have worked as an interim babysitter and nanny for various families before and during the pandemic. Through my time with the YMCA and other organizations, I have been trained in childhood development and creative education. I enjoy working with kids because it helps me keep in tune with my ability to empathize and stay creative. Children are the expression of a community, so staying in tune with the needs and experiences of youth is better for the community as a whole. Booking and payment policy: Same day cancellation, if you cancel within 4 hours of the booking start time, you are agreeing to pay me 1/2 of lost wages.

“Phia is so great with my kids! She and my toddler especially get along great, and she does an awesome job playing with him. Highly recommend.”

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Lisa
Booked by 15 repeat families
23 reviews
$25 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 41 families in Berkeley, CA

Hello, My name is Lisa, and I recently graduated from U.C. Berkeley. Over the past two years, I've had the pleasure of working with several families, caring for kids between the ages of 2 and 10. I'm currently a nanny for a 7-year-old and a 4-year-old, and have been with their family for the last two years. I genuinely love working with kids—their positivity, creativity, and boundless energy make my time with them both fun and rewarding. I look forward to the opportunity to work with you and your family. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions!

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Chelsea
Booked by 65 repeat families
80 reviews
$30 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 119 families in Berkeley, CA

Hello prospective families! My name is Chelsea. I pride myself on being dependable, responsible, and honest. I am looking for date night or occasional jobs that can fit into my schedule. I am a graduate of the University of Virginia (B.A. & M.P.P) and University of Michigan (MBA) and will start my full time job at the end of summer. For over four years I worked with children from newborn through four-year-olds in a children's ministry in addition to routinely babysitting for families including daycare pick-up/drop-off. I am CPR certified and completed a refresher course. As a preteen, I began watching children as a mother's morning helper and continued babysitting throughout graduate school. My background is in the arts, cheering, and dance. The summer before leaving for college I worked as a performing arts instructor teaching children between the ages of 4 to 14. I enjoy spending time with kids and finding creative activities to fill the time. If you are looking for an enthusiastic and responsible sitter, please reach out to me. *As I drive my car to jobs, please let me know what the available parking in your area is when you request a booking **Please note, I am unable to accept bookings if anyone in the household has been sick within the last 48 hours. For occasional babysitting jobs, I do charge for an in-person interview. Additionally, due to a peanut allergy, I am unable to prepare or feed children food with peanuts. I do charge a 50% fee for cancellations without a 24 hours notice. Thank you for your consideration.

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Pamela
Booked by 155 repeat families
178 reviews
$30 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 312 families in Berkeley, CA

Hi. My name is Pamela and I have been a childcare provider for over 20 years. When I moved to the Bay Area in 1989, I worked at St. Johns Infant -Toddler Center. From there, I moved to working with preschoolers then finally, I got my teaching credential. I have been working with elementary school children in Oakland since 1993. I love spending time with kids. I make up weekend field trips with my students and dream of having my own weekend outing association for kids in the future. I enjoy taking kids to parks, making up crazy songs and stories and basically being creative. I always bring new, fun things for kids to engage with- clay, cool pop-up books, spinning toys... I feel very comfortable with children and it's mutual. I don't believe in plopping kids in front of a screen when I babysit. I engage them in fun activities and make sure they are never bored. I believe in eating healthy and try to support families if they have that same belief. Go out, have fun and know that your children are in competent hands!

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Milissa
Booked by 28 repeat families
52 reviews
$28 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 73 families in Berkeley, CA

With going on 6 years of experience caring for one family, I developed strong childcare skills, including managing routines, and keeping kids entertained through engaging activities. I have been on UrbanSitter for almost 2 years and have worked with various families as a repeat sitter! I also have experience caring for my younger siblings and cousins in my big family. I moved for to the Bay Area/Berkeley for college, which led me to transition from my previous long-term position. I’m reliable, nurturing, and love helping kids grow! I am able to drive kiddos around in the family’s car and run errands if needed! I don’t own a car in the Bay Area

“Milissa was very warm and my connected really well with her. They talked a lot and had fun together, and Milissa took care of all her needs and made sure my daughter was ready for bed before I came back. Would def book her for help again. Thank you!”

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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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