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Find a last-minute babysitter in Oakland, CA

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

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362 available last-minute babysitters in Oakland, CA

Families in Oakland use UrbanSitter for last-minute date nights, schedule changes, backup care, and same-day babysitter needs.
343 available today | Avg hourly rate: $30.96/hr

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

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Pamela
Booked by 155 repeat families
178 reviews
$30 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 312 families in Oakland, 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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Lisa
Booked by 15 repeat families
23 reviews
$25 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 41 families in Oakland, 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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Phia
Booked by 49 repeat families
97 reviews
$32 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 172 families in Oakland, 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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Latisha
Booked by 4 repeat families
7 reviews
$30 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 16 families in Oakland, CA

Hi! I am just ending 8 great years as an after-school nanny and family assistant and before that 7 great years as a preschool teacher, working with kids aged 2. 5 --5. I worked within 3 classrooms, experiencing all the ages from toddlers to pre-k. I have worked with children of all ages on some level - babysitting, preschool, after-school care, summer programs and tutoring - for the past 30 years. I naturally gravitate to children and get on their level pretty easily while also maintaining the responsibility and authority a child might need when not in the care of parents. My care philosophy is very child centered and respectful, similar to the philosophies of RIE, Magda Geber and play based learning. I am available for date nights, after school and weekend care. Some of my favorite things to do with kids are read (my children's book library keeps growing), craft activities and cooking (bonus: I do the cleanup!).

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Erica
Booked by 36 repeat families
49 reviews
$30 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 75 families in Oakland, CA

Hello! My name is Erica and I've been watching children beginning with my little sister when I was in jr. high. Since then I have babysat children of all ages. I have worked at preschools and have taken classes in early childhood development. I taught my own class of 3 year olds, but have served as an aide in classes ranging from infant to 5 years. I am a fully licensed cosmetologist & work as a hairstylist at a salon in Berkeley. I love children of all ages and they tend to love me. I'm a child at heart and enjoy singing, art, going outside, and just having fun. In my free time, I enjoy reading, watching movies and tv shows, exploring the outdoors, and cooking.

“Erica is wonderful! She is very easy to communicate with, arrived on time, and put my 8 month old who has some separation anxiety at ease. We look forward to working with her again in the future! ”

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

  • Average hourly rate for 1 child: $30.96
  • Average hourly rate for 2 children: $36.82
  • Typical job length: 4.7 hours
  • Most requested times: Morning

As of October 2026

Recent babysitter activity in Oakland, 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.

2,639 sitters background checked in Oakland, CA

5.0 average star rating from total of 30,991 reviews in Oakland, 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 Oakland

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Why Oakland 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 Oakland families

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

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 Oakland

How do I find a last-minute babysitter in Oakland?

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

As of October 2026, the average babysitting rate in Oakland is $30.96 per hour for one child. Rates vary by experience, number of children, and time of day. See babysitting rates in Oakland.

Are babysitters on UrbanSitter background checked?

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

Can I find a same-day babysitter in Oakland?

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

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