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Find a last-minute babysitter in San Mateo, CA

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

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110 available last-minute babysitters in San Mateo, CA

Families in San Mateo use UrbanSitter for last-minute date nights, schedule changes, backup care, and same-day babysitter needs.
104 available today | Avg hourly rate: $31.23/hr

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

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Cagla
Booked by 24 repeat families
39 reviews
$35 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 71 families in San Mateo, CA

Hello, my name is Cagla. I hold a master’s degree and have been working with children and families since 2013. My experience includes working as an au pair in the U.S. as well as supporting families through after-school educational programs and family-focused care services. I understand the different needs of children at various developmental stages and adapt my approach accordingly, and I consistently receive positive feedback from families for my professionalism, responsiveness, and ability to build trust.

“Cagla has been a repeat babysitter many times for us over the past year for our kids aged 2 and 4. She is punctual, responsive, and has great availability. She even traveled north of SF to babysit during a recent family trip, which gave us great piece of mind since we knew and trusted her already. What stands out about Cagla compared to other other caregivers we've worked with (and why we continue to work with her) is the amount of energy, drive and attention she has in her work with children. She knows what ages various milestones happen (e.g. separation anxiety) and is prepared to handle them. She always asks the important practical questions about routines and schedules, and provides a clear update at the end of the stay. She is warm and plays with our kids on their level, but also very clear with them when they are crossing boundaries they shouldn't. Our children look forward to spending time with her!”

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Krystal
Booked by 11 repeat families
13 reviews
$30 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 18 families in San Mateo, CA

Hi my name is Krystal and I have been babysitting since I was about 12 or 13 and love it! I babysit children of all ages and enjoy playing outside games or even staying inside to play. In my spare time I enjoy watching and playing sports, baking, and volunteering! I have volunteered at soup kitchens, marathons, and the Ronald McDonald House!

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Veronica
Booked by 8 repeat families
14 reviews
$30 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 20 families in San Mateo, CA

I am a mother of 8 children and three beautiful grandchildren. I have been taking care of kids since i was a teenager, with over 30+ years of experience. I have a deep love for children especially babies. As many of my own babies are now grown and moving out the nest, im looking for extra hours to work and do what i love most, watch and help children grow. I am very experienced, punctual, respectful, dependable and organized. I treat my families and children as if they were my very own. I enjoy spending time outside at the park or going on bike rides. I also love playing with kids favorite toys, reading to them, building, coloring and simply just laughing! I like keeping screen time to a minimum or not screen at all. and making sure the children are entertained with fun activities. I usually have a flexible schedule, more often available in the daytime, early mornings and afternoons until early evening. I am available occasionally for date nights. I am fluent in Spanish and proficient in English. I can cook and do light housecleaning. I have a clean driving record and background. Thank you so much for reading and i look forward to meeting you! Have a wonderful day.

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Paula
Booked by 8 repeat families
9 reviews
$30 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 17 families in San Mateo, CA

My name is Paula. I’m 24 years old. From Colombia, my first language is Spanish but I’m fluent in English. I have experience with newborns, infants, toddlers and multiples at the same time. (Willing to give references) I have 7 years of experience with kids and I love taking care/being around kids. I was an Au Pair. I worked in a preschool with toddlers for two years and currently I’m working with infants. I’m family oriented and care about people around me and how I make them feel. I consider myself open minded, patient, respectful, responsible, flexible, organized, energetic, kind, fun-loving and independent. I love animals, I’m okay with any kind of foods. CPR, first aid, AED certification. Excelente driving record. Non smoker. I’m fully vaccinated, Willing to do light housekeeping and teach Spanish. Thank you

“Paula was great with my 5 yr old son! They played outside a ton and walked to a near by park. He said he had a great day! Will definitely book again! ”

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Carol
Booked by 5 repeat families
6 reviews
$30 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 7 families in San Mateo, CA

Hello parents, I'm Carol and I'm 28 years old. I've been a nanny over 3 years here in the Bay Area with mostly experience with infants and toddlers. Depending on the kid's age I enjoy doing different activities indoors like reading books, doing arts and crafts, painting, etc and outdoors (always following the COVID guidelines). Exploring nature help kids to be away from electronics and let them discover new skills in them selves. I see myself as a punctual, patient, reliable and easygoing person, who is a good listener and follows parent's guidelines.

“We love having Carol watch our son (toddler). When we tell him in the morning that Carol is coming that evening he asks us through the day if she's here yet... and when we say no, he goes "Aww, man" (and squeals in delight when she arrives!). Carol is EXTREMELY attentive to Tristan, very sweet and caring with him. She gets down on his level, asks him questions about what he wants to do and makes sure he has a fun time. She does a "yes, and" when playing with him, and plays how he wants to play (of course keeping him safe). He loves it! And keeps the TV off, which is great. And her positive, infectious energy has us all smiling and laughing. As parents, we appreciate that she is responsible, communicates well, punctual, gets him fed, gets him to bed on time, and even does bath time when needed! We really look forward to being able to go out for dinner while having complete peace of mind. In short, we would highly recommend Carol to any friends of ours who are looking for a babysitter!”

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

  • Average hourly rate for 1 child: $31.23
  • Average hourly rate for 2 children: $37.10
  • Typical job length: 4.8 hours
  • Most requested times: Morning

As of October 2026

Recent babysitter activity in San Mateo, 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.

2,378 sitters background checked in San Mateo, CA

5.0 average star rating from total of 28,371 reviews in San Mateo, 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 San Mateo

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Why San Mateo 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 San Mateo families

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

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 San Mateo

How do I find a last-minute babysitter in San Mateo?

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

As of October 2026, the average babysitting rate in San Mateo is $31.23 per hour for one child. Rates vary by experience, number of children, and time of day. See babysitting rates in San Mateo.

Are babysitters on UrbanSitter background checked?

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

Can I find a same-day babysitter in San Mateo?

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

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