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Find a last-minute babysitter in Menlo Park, CA

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

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101 available last-minute babysitters in Menlo Park, CA

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

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

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Tracey
Booked by 2 repeat families
3 reviews
$45 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 2 families in Menlo Park, CA

Hello!! Thank you for reading my information!! About me...I have two children son 33, daughter 27 I have loved caring for children and have been babysitting since I was 10. When I was 22 I opened a large family day care. That daycare consisted of 14 children from newborn through school age. I did this for 14 years. I loved every minute. We took those children on many adventures, most children stayed with us longterm and could read before kindergarten. During the last few years that I had my daycare I was also going to school to be an ASL interpreter. Taught the children in my care some ASL. Unfortunately had to close the daycare in 2002, sadly the house we were renting was sold. I then went on to work as a nanny with four of the children from two families, one was a newborn, they had attended my daycare, I was their nanny for four years. I decided it was time to go back to school. While attending college I worked in the child nutrition department for an elementary School District. When I realized that college was not my path, I went on to work in upper management with Starbucks, and Whole Foods. For the past 7 years I have been the food service lead for a high school food service department. During that time I babysat in the evenings with multiple families. I was fortunate that when I created my Urbansitter account I was chosen to work with a family of four In Belmont. Caregiving and mother's/father's helper. A Wonderful family with two children. I have been with them now into our 5th year. They're are moving so it is time to share my love with another family. I am comfortable working with children of all ages. I am a very loving, playful and easy going, I am confident in my caregiving and can adapt easily to any situation that may arise. There has not been a child that I cannot work with. My personality...laid back, funny, hard worker, I do not frustrate easy. I love the challenges that come with children. I communicate well and I am very easy to communicate with. My thought has always been "what would I expect for my children" I am an artist and very creative. I have owned and operated MANY businesses, last one being a License Plate art business. I am very excited to finally have re-opened an Urbansiiter account.I hope that between my video and this very long "about" I will have an opportunity to work with your precious family! Cheers!! Tracey

“We feel incredibly fortunate to have found Tracey. She is consistently warm, dependable, and exceptionally engaged with our children. Rather than simply supervising them, she actively participates in whatever they're interested in, making them feel heard, valued, and excited to spend time with her. She has a remarkable ability to connect with children with very different personalities and interests. Whether she's taking them on walks, visiting museums, doing crafts, or simply having long conversations about the topics they love, she brings genuine enthusiasm and patience to everything she does. She is also always on time, and is happy to help with other household chores when time permits. The biggest endorsement I can give is that our kids are so genuinely excited when she arrives. As a parent, there's nothing more reassuring than knowing your children are happy, engaged, and cared for by someone who truly enjoys being with them.”

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Jeniffer
Booked by 3 repeat families
2 reviews
$25 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 8 families in Menlo Park, CA

Hello! My name is Jeniffer. I’m currently a college student working on my BSN. Before returning to school I worked as a Medical Assistant for about 5 years where I gained experience caring for others. I enjoy caring for children, and being around kids has always come naturally to me. I understand how important it is for parents to have someone they can trust with their children and to have someone who is patient, dependable, attentive. I would love the opportunity to get to know your family and learn more about what you’re looking for in a sitter. Please feel free to reach out with any questions! 😊

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Mariana 3 reviews
$25 per hour for 1 child

I’m currently looking for a part-time nanny position starting now. I’m 26 years old and a college student, which gives me a flexible schedule especially during the mornings and summer break, eventually Friday evening and weekends. I naturally connect well with children, especially babies. I’m a peaceful, open-minded, creative, and loving person, and I carry strong values that I love to share through everyday moments. While I don’t plan on doing this job forever, I truly see it as a special chapter in my life. one that I’ll always treasure. I grew up with sitters myself, so stepping into this role feels like a beautiful way to give back. I’m truly grateful for the women who cared for me, they played a big part in shaping who I am today, along with my mom. Because of them, I’ve learned so much, and now I get to pass those lessons on Availability: • Mon-Wed-Thr-Fri (available from early morning to 1:00 pm) • Occasional weekends (available upon discussion) About Me: • Over 6 years of experience caring for babies, toddlers, and young children • Experienced with twins and caring for 3+ kids at a time • CPR & First Aid certified through the American Red Cross (infant, child, and adult) • Fluent in English and Spanish • Reliable, patient, and passionate about early childhood development • Comfortable with diapering, feeding routines, sleep schedules, light meal prep, and tidying up after children I love creating a nurturing, playful, and safe space for children to learn and grow. Some of the things I enjoy doing with kids include: • Arts, crafts, and sensory play • Storytime and music • Outdoor walks, park outings, and games, picnic, hikes • Supporting routines and encouraging independence Preferred Work Locations: Redwood City, Menlo Park San Carlos, Belmont, San Mateo, Burlingame, Hillsborough, San Francisco Rate: Starting at $25/hour for one child (open to discussing depending on number of children and responsibilities) If you think I’d be a good fit for your family, I’d love to connect and share more about myself and my experience. References available upon request!

“Mariana has been wonderful with our family. She is reliable, communicative, and always checks in to make sure she’s aligned on what needs to be done. She helps with school pickups, homework, showers, dinner, and generally keeping the kids on track in the evenings. She’s proactive, responsible, and great with the kids! We’ve had a great experience with her!”

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Lauren
Booked by 3 repeat families
2 reviews
$35 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 3 families in Menlo Park, CA

I am currently a PhD graduate student at Stanford University, obtaining my degree in stem cell biology. I am offering services with child care, senior care, pet care, and household services. I have 6 years of experience nannying and raising children 4 years of age and older (both boys and girls), with experience babysitting toddlers aged 2 and up. I love spending time with kids on activities and crafts that they love to do - everything from playing dolls to arts and crafts to playing catch. I can also provide help with homework. I have experience working with children with dyslexia, and working on reading and flashcards to help improve their reading skills. Additionally, I have several years experience providing caregiving to an elderly adult with dementia. I can help with daily tasks, appointments, meal preparation, or just being a companion. I also love animals! I have owned dogs, cats, horses, and every small animal you can think of. I can provide housework and help with organizational tasks - I love organizing! I am CPR and pediatric first aid certified. I’m learning Spanish but still a beginner conversationally.

“Lauren is an absolute angel, my kids love her and she has been so gracious and helpful, even in such short notice. She is kind, plays with them both in engaging ways and is and makes them feel good and happy by the end of the day. She even makes great art! My son says he has a great day, and my daughter is absolutely smitten. Thank you so much Lauren for supporting us in our times of need!”

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Brandi
Booked by 3 repeat families
1 review
$30 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 5 families in Menlo Park, CA

HI! I'm a mom of three (ages 15, 20, and 23) with 9 years of professional nanny experience, plus 14 years at home raising my own kids. I've cared for every age from newborns to teenagers, and I genuinely love them all. Most of my career has been spent in long-term positions with two families, staying with each of them for several years as their kids grew. My days with kids are active and full. I'm big on outings: the park, the library, music classes, and the zoo. I like creating a home that feels fun and silly, with plenty of music and cooking. I'm also a serious animal lover, so pets in the house are a bonus. Beyond childcare, I'm hardworking and detail oriented, and cleaning and organizing are my specialties. I'm also well versed in food allergies and special diets. I have Celiac Disease myself and follow a strict gluten-free routine, so label-reading and avoiding cross-contamination are second nature to me. I speak conversational Spanish. Not fluent, but enough to hold a real conversation. One practical note: I'm highly allergic to Lavender, so I ask that Lavender scented products not be used in the home. Lavender growing outside is no problem at all. I'm available for occasional sitting. I'd love to hear about your family and whatever you might need. Currently available for occasional date nights and weekends.

“Brandi is an exceptional nanny - highly experienced with all ages and incredibly energetic and warm. We were fortunate to have her as our full-time nanny and an integral part of our family for nearly 4 years. She cared for our older son from 4 months on and helped us set a regular napping/feeding schedule with him right off the bat. Over the years, she helped us transition to new nap schedules, new foods, new activities, and a new little brother. Brandi maintained a fun weekly schedule with both boys, taking them to library story times, MyGym, music classes, and coming up with myriad arts and crafts activities. We highly recommend Brandi - it’s such a relief to have an experienced caregiver you can trust!”

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How much does a last-minute babysitter cost in Menlo Park, CA?

  • Average hourly rate for 1 child: $31.16
  • Average hourly rate for 2 children: $36.93
  • Typical job length: 4.8 hours
  • Most requested times: Morning

As of October 2026

Recent babysitter activity in Menlo Park, 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.

1,675 sitters background checked in Menlo Park, CA

5.0 average star rating from total of 15,852 reviews in Menlo Park, 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

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Find a last-minute babysitter in Menlo Park

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Why Menlo Park 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 Menlo Park families

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

Read reviews, then decide

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Frequently asked questions about finding a last-minute babysitter in Menlo Park

How do I find a last-minute babysitter in Menlo Park?

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

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

Are babysitters on UrbanSitter background checked?

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

Can I find a same-day babysitter in Menlo Park?

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

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