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Find a last-minute babysitter in Los Altos, CA

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

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127 available last-minute babysitters in Los Altos, CA

Families in Los Altos use UrbanSitter for last-minute date nights, schedule changes, backup care, and same-day babysitter needs.
94 available today | Avg hourly rate: $31.16/hr

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

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Rick 12 reviews
$40 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 1 family in Los Altos, CA

Hi, I’m Rick; a caring, energetic, and responsible individual with a lifelong passion for helping families thrive. I’m 37 and currently based in Redwood City. With a strong background in both child and pet care, I bring over three years experience working with all age groups from newborns and infants (1.5 years experience) to toddlers, preschoolers, school age kids, and teens (3 years’ experience each). I love playing, teaching, and learning with kids of all ages, adapting creative activities and games to keep everyone engaged. I focus on fostering a supportive, positive, and fun environment while maintaining structure and clear communication. Parents can count on me for organization, reliability, and compassion at every step. While my main focus is on child care, I also have extensive experience in animal care, behavior, and training (over 3 years). Alongside my wife, I’ve prepared healthy, natural organic treats and meals for pets, and I’ve led group outings for dogs in our local area. As a telepathic animal communicator, I genuinely understand pets as family; I currently care for three cats and have cared for several dogs and cats in the past. My core values include healthy living, mindfulness, and keeping a toxin free, caring home. I believe in living with integrity and consistency aligning words, actions, and beliefs. I love to teach and guide through games and self reflection and I'm always eager to help young minds flourish. If you’re looking for someone compassionate, honest, detail oriented, and fun, who understands the needs of both kids and family pets, let’s connect!

“Recommended 100%🔥🔥, Rick is a rocket. He puts our kids down very fast, he's very nice, has a healthy style of living🍀. Loves our girls and pets which is amazing because our pets and girls love him too. I trust him and love his passion for his job.”

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Isabel
Booked by 2 repeat families
3 reviews
$35 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 6 families in Los Altos, CA

Hello! I hope you're doing well. I'm a mother of three (ages 15, 16, and 18), with lots of experience caring for multiple children. I'm patient, kind, organized, and proactive. I'm fluent in Spanish and English, CPR and First Aid certified, and I have a valid driver's license, a clean record, and my own car. I love keeping babies and kids engaged with activities like reading, arts and crafts, and trips to the park or library. I also like to help out around the house during downtime with tidying, laundry, and other chores. I'm available Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 9:00 a. m, as I work with another family in Portola Valley afterward. During that time, I can help with bathing, laundry, bottles, organizing, and drop-offs/pick-ups if needed. References are available upon request! Feel free to reach out if you'd like to chat by phone or video call. Thank you so much for your time!

“My daughter loved playing with Isabel. She had a wonderful time. Would definitely hire again!”

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Liliana
Booked by 2 repeat families
3 reviews
$27 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 5 families in Los Altos, CA

Hello, my name is Liliana (or Lily)! I was born and raised in San Jose and am excited to be working as a nanny with local families while completing my master’s degree in counseling psychology at SCU! I have been working as a nanny since fall of 2025, and have had the pleasure of caring for children ranging from 1 to 13 years old. I really admire children's curiosity, creativity, and intelligence, and I find so much fulfillment in watching them grow! I am currently available for occasional and one-time evening jobs. Relevant education and certifications: - Undergraduate courses in child development. - Pediatric CPR/AED certified by the Red Cross. - Valid CA driver's license. About me: - I am an avid reader and have a deep appreciation for children's literature! Some of my childhood favorites include "Arnie the Doughnut" and "Sarah, Plain and Tall." - I love cooking and baking, and am a big proponent of involving kids in the kitchen – it teaches life skills, supports mathematical and scientific development, and is a great vehicle for creativity! - I grew up participating in dance and theatre, and still still take ballet classes in my spare time! I also love fostering creative expression in kids, whether it be music, dance, drawing, or imaginative play! ________ My policies: - Booking: I ask that all new families book me through Urban Sitter. Families looking for long-term care can schedule recurring services off-site, so long as the first booking is made through Urban Sitter. I also encourage families to message me before booking to confirm my availability. - Daily minimum hours: I work a consecutive two-hour minimum, and generally only accept jobs that meet this requirement. In the event that a family books me for a shorter period of time, they can expect to pay for a minimum of two hours, even if they only need me for one. - Cancellation policy: I ask that any scheduling changes be communicated as early as possible, and I will share any scheduling conflicts ASAP (usually 4+ weeks in advance). I do not charge for canceled bookings unless I am given less than 24 hours notice, at which point I will charge 50% of the total original booking cost. - Mileage: I have my own car, and am happy to offer driving services to families. Because not all jobs require driving, I do not factor it into my hourly rate. Instead, if a family requires driving, I will charge a reimbursement of 76 cents per mile.

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Liana
Booked by 2 repeat families
6 reviews
$25 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 7 families in Los Altos, CA

Hi! My name is Liana and I’m looking for one-time and occasional babysitting jobs. I’m a Physician Assistant student at Stanford University and am looking to make some extra money while I’m in school. I have always loved working with kids. I graduated with a B.S in Neuroscience from Santa Clara University and I hope to work in pediatrics as a PA. I have past experience as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), pediatric medical assistant, daycare volunteer, and math/reading tutor. I have my own car and am comfortable driving to/from activities. I enjoy reading, baking, spending time outside, watching tv/movies, and doing crafts!

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Jahaira
Booked by 5 repeat families
6 reviews
$40 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 9 families in Los Altos, CA

Hi, my name is Jahaira. I am currently a preschool teacher in Palo Alto. I have been teaching there for over 9 years. I love working with children. I also enjoy helping around the house and be an extra set of hands in your household. I have worked with multiple families in the past, long and short term as a household assistant. I am looking for some weekends or weekday nights hours to help with taking care of your babies or helping around the house. I am very flexible and reliable.

“Jahaira was punctual and our kids loved her. ”

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

  • Average hourly rate for 1 child: $31.16
  • Average hourly rate for 2 children: $36.86
  • Typical job length: 5.0 hours
  • Most requested times: Morning

As of October 2026

Recent babysitter activity in Los Altos, 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.

975 sitters background checked in Los Altos, CA

4.9 average star rating from total of 7,194 reviews in Los Altos, 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 Los Altos

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Why Los Altos 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 Los Altos families

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

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 Los Altos

How do I find a last-minute babysitter in Los Altos?

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

As of October 2026, the average babysitting rate in Los Altos is $31.16 per hour for one child. Rates vary by experience, number of children, and time of day. See babysitting rates in Los Altos.

Are babysitters on UrbanSitter background checked?

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

Can I find a same-day babysitter in Los Altos?

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

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