Family with caregiver

Find a last-minute babysitter in El Cajon, CA

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

Looking for jobs? Apply here.

31 available last-minute babysitters in El Cajon, CA

Families in El Cajon use UrbanSitter for last-minute date nights, schedule changes, backup care, and same-day babysitter needs.
52 available today | Avg hourly rate: $24.71/hr

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

Profile photo
Mia $22 per hour for 1 child

Hi! My name is Mia, and I’m currently a college student in San Diego. I’ve been babysitting and working with children for several years and absolutely love being around kids! I’m responsible, patient, caring, and love keeping kids engaged through games, activities, outdoor time, or whatever they enjoy most. I’d love the opportunity to learn more about your family, your children, and what you’re looking for in a babysitter.

Profile photo
Madeline
Booked by 1 repeat family
1 review
$20 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 1 family in El Cajon, CA

Hi, my name is Madeline! I love working with and caring for children and am excited to meet your family. I have experience babysitting children from a couple months old through elementary school-age. I am a speech-language pathologist and work in both an elementary school and in early intervention with children ages 15 months-3 years old. I am CPR certified, I am comfortable around cats and dogs, and I have reliable transportation.

“Madeline did a wonderful job taking care of my 9 month old son. They had fun reading books, singing songs, and dancing together. I appreciated her good communication and quick replies. She also has helpful insight on speech questions, given her speech pathologist expertise. I will definitely be booking her again!”

Profile photo
Thais 1 review
$27 per hour for 1 child

Hi! I’m Thais, 32, originally from Brazil, now a permanent resident in San Diego - CA. I’ve been caring for kids for the past 8 years, starting as a full-time nanny and now babysitting on nights and weekends around my marketing job. I’m right at home with bottle feeds, nap schedules, snack time meltdowns, and all the fun. What I care about most is that your kids are safe, happy, and looked after, not just watched. I keep things playful when they’ve got energy to burn and calm when it’s time to wind down. Bedtime routines, mealtimes, screen limits, whatever your house rules are, I follow them. Being a former full-time nanny taught me to stay steady when things get hectic and to really communicate with parents. You’ll hear from me if anything comes up, and I’ll leave you a quick rundown of how it went. I’m reliable, and I show up on time. I’m comfortable driving and happy to travel to you. I also love pets, so a dog or cat in the mix is a bonus, not a problem. Feel free to reach out with any questions. I’d love to meet your family. My Facebook is:[removed] I’m happy to provide references. Thank you!

“I’m delighted to recommend Thais as a nanny and childcare provider. She has cared for our family for almost four years, starting when our oldest son was just 1 year old, and now helps look after both of our children (currently almost 5 and 3½ years old). Over these years, Thais has proven to be exceptionally reliable and trustworthy — we have never had to worry when the kids are in her care. She is wonderful with children: attentive, patient, and genuinely engaged with them, always noticing their needs before we even have to ask. She’s proactive in anticipating what the kids need day to day, and she consistently keeps their spaces and belongings tidy and organized. Our family trust her completely, and our children adore her. Any family would be lucky to have her as part of their team.”

Profile photo
Ava $20 per hour for 1 child

Hello, my name is Ava and I am a current freshman studying business at San Diego State. I am a middle child of 6 kids. I have 3 younger siblings and 2 older. I often take care of my younger siblings, some who used to be newborns. I have also been babysitting in my old neighborhood since I was 13 years old. Additionally, I have done volunteer work at orphanages in Peru.

Profile photo
Nicole $20 per hour for 1 child

Looking for a part time or full time nanny/babysitter? I have a master's degree in child development, along with over 11 experience working with infants, toddlers, and children in a variety of settings. I love to share activities like stories, art, music, yoga, cooking, and other enriching activities. I also have a degree in music and can incorporate piano, guitar, ukulele, etc. :) I also have excellent references. If you're interested to learn more, you're welcome to call me at[removed] or email me at [removed]

Live near a college or university? View babysitters by college

Children playing together

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

  • Average hourly rate for 1 child: $24.71
  • Average hourly rate for 2 children: $29.31
  • Typical job length: 4.5 hours
  • Most requested times: Morning

As of October 2026

Recent babysitter activity in El Cajon, 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.

308 sitters background checked in El Cajon, CA

5.0 average star rating from total of 2,050 reviews in El Cajon, 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 El Cajon

Submit a request to hear from available sitters.

Why El Cajon 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 El Cajon families

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

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 El Cajon

How do I find a last-minute babysitter in El Cajon?

Sign up on UrbanSitter, enter your zip code, and submit a request with your timing and care needs. Babysitters near El Cajon 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 El Cajon?

As of October 2026, the average babysitting rate in El Cajon is $24.71 per hour for one child. Rates vary by experience, number of children, and time of day. See babysitting rates in El Cajon.

Are babysitters on UrbanSitter background checked?

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

Can I find a same-day babysitter in El Cajon?

Same-day requests are common on UrbanSitter. Submit a request with your timing and care needs, and available sitters in El Cajon 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 El Cajon can respond, and you can review profiles before choosing.

As seen on