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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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66 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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Kylie $25 per hour for 1 child

Hello! My name is Kylie, and I’m 22 years old. I’m currently a student at West Valley College with a passion for working with children of all ages and abilities. I have over 12 years of babysitting experience, along with professional childcare experience at The Club at Los Gatos, where I worked with children ranging from 6 months to 12 years old. Growing up with four younger sisters (now ages 9, 15, 16, and 21) has also given me a lifetime of hands-on experience caring for kids. I am certified in CPR, First Aid, and AED through the American Red Cross. I’m happy to help with homework, enjoy planning creative art activities, and always strive to create a safe, fun, and supportive environment where children feel comfortable being themselves. One of my greatest passions is supporting children with special needs and neurodivergent children. I have several years of experience working with children with diverse needs, and one of the most meaningful experiences of my life was caring for an incredible young girl with autism. She inspired my love for working with children and helped shape the career path I hope to pursue. Looking ahead, my dream is to advocate for children's mental health and help improve mental health education and support within schools. Until then, I’m grateful for every opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of the children and families I work with. I would love the opportunity to care for your little one(s), provide them with a safe, engaging, and nurturing environment, and help make your day just a little easier. I look forward to meeting your family!

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Nicole
Booked by 1 repeat family
3 reviews
$30 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 5 families in Santa Cruz, CA

I am 21 years old and I’ve been taking care of children ever since I was 15, helping them with homework, cleaning up after them, meal prep, school pick up/drop off, to/from activities, bedtime routine and so on. I also used to be an english teacher for kids between 4-11. I have experiences with babies older than 1, that includes feeding them, nap time, story time, changing diapers etc. I am currently taking care of 3 kids under 5 M-F and I’m looking for job opportunities on weekends.

“Nicole was great. Friendly, kind and punctual, our 7 year old said he liked her a lot! ”

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Franciely 1 review
$26 per hour for 1 child

Professional Profile: Specialist Nanny | Household & Childcare Management About Me I am a dedicated childcare professional with a background in Biology and extensive practical experience managing complex family routines and large groups. My professional path includes managing groups of up to 30 children in educational settings, which has equipped me with exceptional organizational skills, a focus on safety, and the ability to remain calm in dynamic environments. Currently, I oversee the comprehensive care of 5 children, handling daily logistics, transportation, and their overall well-being. Core Competencies: • Routine & Logistics Management: Expert at coordinating multiple schedules, ensuring that meal times, hygiene routines, and external appointments are met punctually and smoothly. • Safety & Supervision: A proactive and preventative approach to safety, with the proven ability to supervise large groups while maintaining a secure and harmonious environment. • Responsible Transportation: Experienced driver, comfortable with school runs and navigating transportation for extracurricular activities. • Individualized Care in Group Settings: Skilled at addressing the specific needs of each child within a high-demand environment, prioritizing emotional support and attentive care. Objective To provide high-trust family support, leveraging my experience in group management and direct care to ensure an organized, safe, and stress-free routine for both parents and children.

“Franciely is an excellent professional; she handles all her tasks without hesitation and always exceeds expectations. The care she provides for the children has given me peace of mind; she's very attentive, and the kids are always asking her to come back!”

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Karen
Booked by 16 repeat families
29 reviews
$32 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 44 families in Santa Cruz, CA

Hello, I’m Karen, I’m a children’s psychologist, and I have over 9 years of experience taking care of kids. I understand about children’s development and I have a lot of experience with special needs children especially autism disorder and Downs Syndrome. I also worked in a day care with children between 4 months and 6 years old. I love to read and do art and crafts, take them to parks to explore nature and to spend energy doing things they like. I enjoy see they learning new things and know I’m part of it.

“Karen was prompt, professional, and kind with my 3 year old son. Highly recommend her as a babysitter!”

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Helen
Booked by 12 repeat families
11 reviews
$30 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 31 families in Santa Cruz, CA

Hello! I am Computer Scientist from Sweden, who have raised two boys (now in college) together with my husband. We live in San Joe. I am available to help out families as I know very well how hard it can be to arrange for child care with our busy schedules! I love working with children of all ages. One of my goals is to get my teaching credentials in California so that I can contribute to our public schools in the area.

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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 background checked in Santa Cruz, CA

5.0 average star rating from total of 1,127 reviews 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

Submit a request to hear from available sitters.

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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