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Find a last-minute babysitter in Santa Cruz, CA

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

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65 available last-minute babysitters in Santa Cruz, CA

Families in Santa Cruz use UrbanSitter for last-minute date nights, schedule changes, backup care, and same-day babysitter needs.
8 available today | Avg hourly rate: $29.93/hr

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

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Sophia 3 reviews
$27 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 6 families in Santa Cruz, CA

Hi wonderful families! My name is Sophia & I am 23 years old. I graduated with my Associates degree in Science/Health Care. I grew up as an only child for 21 years until my mom recently had a second child which is my baby brother who i adore so much and has taught me so much on how to take care of young infants/toddlers. He is my world. Heโ€™s 2 years old. I do occasional jobs on here and if the family likes me (which they usually do! Hehe) they give me a call or text whenever they need me to come back! Experience: I was a nanny to a 1 year old boy for a couple of months until the family had to move. I love being a sitter, i have always babysat my little cousins starting at 16 years old. I have also volunteered at a preschool watching infants as young as five months and as old as five years old. I am also CPR certified and can show proof of my certification. I am okay with dogs or cats in the home. Please let me know if you have any questions, I will be happy to hear back from you!

โ€œSophia was friendly and on time. My 2 year old had a great time with her! โ€

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Aaralyn $20 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 1 family in Santa Cruz, CA

I am a responsible and dependable college student at California State University, Monterey Bay, studying psychology with a strong interest in child development and education. I have experience working with children through volunteering and classroom settings, and I enjoy creating a safe, positive, and engaging environment where kids can learn and have fun. Families describe me as patient, caring, organized, and reliable. I am comfortable helping with homework, supervising activities, preparing simple meals, and assisting with light household tasks. In addition to childcare, I have extensive experience caring for animals. I grew up around dogs, cats, chickens, and horses, so I am comfortable with pet sitting, feeding, exercising, and providing attentive care for a variety of pets. I also love to do arts and crafts, sing, dance, watch movies, bake, and learn new hobbies with kiddos!!

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Amelia $30 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 3 families in Santa Cruz, CA

(I am currently teaching fulltime this year, if you need support on the weekend, please reach out). Hello! Iโ€™m Amelia! ๐Ÿ‘‹๐Ÿป๐Ÿ‘‹๐Ÿผ๐Ÿ‘‹๐Ÿฝ๐Ÿ‘‹๐Ÿพ๐Ÿ‘‹๐Ÿฟ I am an energetic, warm, and highly experienced childcare provider who loves active outdoor games, creative play, and keeping kids fully engaged! As a career educator with over a decade in of hands-on experience in early childhood development, nannying, and play-based learning, I bring parents complete peace of mind. I hold an M.A. in Special Education, B.A. in Child Development, and active State Teaching Credentials, meaning safety, structured fun, and developmental care are second nature to me. Quick Highlights: + Fully State-Credentialed & Live Scan Fingerprinted. + CPR & First Aid Certified + Expertise in Positive Behavior Support & Play-Based Early Learning Whether you need dependable backup care, weekend help, or engaging after-school support, my goal is always to make your day easier and keep your children happy, safe, and entertained. Iโ€™d love to connect! ๐ŸŒˆ๐ŸŒŠโ˜€๏ธ๐ŸŒบ ~ Amelia

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Sofia 2 reviews
$28 per hour for 1 child

Hi! My name is Sofia, and I am currently offering my services for childcare, senior care, and animal care. I have worked with children in some capacity or another for over 10 years, including as a social worker, higher education professional, horseback riding teacher, and camp counselor. I have extensive experience in caretaking for children ages 4 and up and lots of animals, too! I enjoy crafting, spending time outdoors, and being a supportive and positive presence for children of all ages. I am happy to help with homework if needed and light household chores. I am also comfortable with some degree of senior care and have experience caring for those with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. I hold my bachelor's degree from the University of San Francisco, am currently earning a professional coaching certification, and happy to provide my resume and references if needed.

โ€œSofia is kind, prompt, and responsible. She always goes above and beyond. She is also very communicative.โ€

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Isabel
Booked by 1 repeat family
$28 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 1 family in Santa Cruz, CA

I am a 21-year-old Brazilian nanny with around seven years of experience caring for children, especially infants from 0 to 11 months. I have always been passionate about childcareโ€”ever since my first contact with a baby, even when I was still a child myself, I naturally developed a strong caregiver instinct. I am CPR and First Aid certified, I drive, and I can speak both Portuguese and English. I truly believe caring for children is a mutual exchange: while I help shape their early development with love, patience, and responsibility, they also teach me and help me grow as a person. I genuinely enjoy providing safe, attentive, and loving care to these little human beings.

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

  • Average hourly rate for 1 child: $29.93
  • Average hourly rate for 2 children: $36.03
  • Typical job length: 5.8 hours
  • Most requested times: Morning

As of October 2026

Recent babysitter activity in Santa Cruz, 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.

206 sitters backgroundย checked in Santa Cruz, CA

5.0 average star rating from total of 1,127 reviewsย in Santa Cruz, 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 Santa Cruz

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Why Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz families

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

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 Santa Cruz

How do I find a last-minute babysitter in Santa Cruz?

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

As of October 2026, the average babysitting rate in Santa Cruz is $29.93 per hour for one child. Rates vary by experience, number of children, and time of day. See babysitting rates in Santa Cruz.

Are babysitters on UrbanSitter background checked?

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

Can I find a same-day babysitter in Santa Cruz?

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

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