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Find a last-minute babysitter in Palo Alto, CA

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

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117 available last-minute babysitters in Palo Alto, CA

Families in Palo Alto use UrbanSitter for last-minute date nights, schedule changes, backup care, and same-day babysitter needs.
85 available today | Avg hourly rate: $31.14/hr

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

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Valentina
Booked by 1 repeat family
5 reviews
$35 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 5 families in Palo Alto, CA

Hi there! I'm Valentina a current speech pathology assistant at a special education school in Redwood City. I enjoy going on runs, spending time with my dog and trying new recipes. I have been working with kids since I was 16 and have since gained experience in caring for toddlers, twins, and tweens. I am a versatile person who would love to help out your family.

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Tracey
Booked by 2 repeat families
3 reviews
$45 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 2 families in Palo Alto, 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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Grace 1 review
$25 per hour for 1 child

Hi! My name is Grace and I'm currently in school for my Masters in Social Work. I am offering child care and senior care. I love pets, too! Child care experience: I have 5+ years working with kids between the ages of 0-18 in educational and therapeutic contexts. I love playing sports, doing arts activities, exploring, & letting kids be themselves. I have experience cooking healthy, delicious meals, helping with homework, implementing bedtime routines, changing diapers, and helping out with chores. Senior care experience: I am someone who grew up spending time with my grandparents and great-grandmother, playing cards together, cooking steaks, riding horses, driving, and talking. I also spent a lot of time by my grandfather's bedside while he was passing away, helping him to be comfortable and to know that he was loved. In addition to offering my presence and connection, I am able to drive, cook, clean, do laundry, organize, and run errands, too. I hope to hear from you!

“We were so fortunate to have Grace care for our three children on an as-needed basis. She is kind, patient and thoughtful, and our kids always felt safe and happy in her care. Beyond childcare, she has a natural gift for working with seniors, offering both companionship and support with special needs in a way that shows genuine compassion. She is honest, trustworthy, and dependable. These qualities gave us peace of mind whenever she was with our family. I highly recommend Grace to anyone looking for a reliable and caring person to help with their loved ones.”

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Jeniffer
Booked by 3 repeat families
2 reviews
$25 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 8 families in Palo Alto, 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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Carmen
Booked by 2 repeat families
1 review
$30 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 2 families in Palo Alto, CA

Mother’s helper. Available for date night, Saturdays and Sunday. I have been a preschool teacher. I worked for The children’s preschool center in Palo Alto in the young two’s room, infant and preschool for two years. I worked as a substitute teacher for the Evergreen school district in San Jose, California for the last four years. I am currently working towards a teaching credential in special education at San Jose State University. I am flexible, caring, and respectful. Feel free to contact me with any questions.

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

  • Average hourly rate for 1 child: $31.14
  • Average hourly rate for 2 children: $36.97
  • Typical job length: 4.9 hours
  • Most requested times: Morning

As of October 2026

Recent babysitter activity in Palo Alto, 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.

1,290 sitters background checked in Palo Alto, CA

4.9 average star rating from total of 10,821 reviews in Palo Alto, 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 Palo Alto

Submit a request to hear from available sitters.

Why Palo Alto 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 Palo Alto families

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

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 Palo Alto

How do I find a last-minute babysitter in Palo Alto?

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

As of October 2026, the average babysitting rate in Palo Alto is $31.14 per hour for one child. Rates vary by experience, number of children, and time of day. See babysitting rates in Palo Alto.

Are babysitters on UrbanSitter background checked?

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

Can I find a same-day babysitter in Palo Alto?

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

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