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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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Shobha
Booked by 7 repeat families
12 reviews
$30 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 20 families in Santa Cruz, CA

Hi my name is Shobha, living in san jose for the past 26 years I have one beautiful daughter who is 24 years graduated with bio major from UCLA last year. I worked for a large family day care center for a year worked with all age groups like infants to toddlers and I also worked as a Nanny for nine months took care of a baby when he was 7 months old now he is 16 months strong and handsome toddler. Besides this I also offer my services for pick up and drop offs as I have 23 years of excellent driving experience with clean record. I also offer my services for date nights as well as elder care. I am very loving and caring and very committed to my profession.

“Shobha was absolutely wonderful! She was kind, caring, patient, and very attentive with my little one. I really appreciated how comfortable and safe she made us feel. She was also very thoughtful and went above and beyond to help. It was such a pleasure having her care for my sons, and I would definitely recommend Shoba to other families looking for a trustworthy and caring sitter. We’re very grateful for her help! ❤️”

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Michelle
Booked by 31 repeat families
23 reviews
$35 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 48 families in Santa Cruz, CA

Hi! My name is Michelle. I have over 15 years of experience working with children, from newborns to 12 years old. My background includes 10 years in daycare and preschool settings, along with 5 years as a professional nanny. Most of my nanny experience has been with infants under 12 months old, but I truly enjoy working with toddlers and older children as well — engaging them in fun, developmentally appropriate, and enriching activities tailored to their age and personality. I am currently working full-time with a family and am looking to pick up additional hours on weekends or for date nights. I’m happy to provide reliable, consistent care for families who need occasional support. I also offer pet-sitting services if needed. My childcare style is gentle yet firm — calm, patient, and attentive, while still being playful and engaging. I value creating a nurturing, structured environment where children feel safe, respected, and encouraged to explore and grow at their own pace. Certifications & Background: • Bilingual in Korean and English • Background in Early Childhood Education • Completed coursework in Child Development • CPR certified • TrustLine registered I would love the opportunity to support your family and care for your little one. Thank you for taking the time to read my profile! Warm regards, Michelle

“Michelle has been great when we've worked with her! Our 4 year old daughter has special needs which requires a very patient, kind, and understanding individual and Michelle has been all of the above. She picked up all of the instruction we gave her about our daughter's specific needs, asked appropriate questions, and has always shown interest in her growth and development even beyond their time together making suggestions of games/activities she might enjoy. We would definitely recommend Michelle.”

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Yang
Booked by 33 repeat families
62 reviews
$35 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 89 families in Santa Cruz, CA

Dear Parents, My name is Selena (Yang). I have over 8 years of childcare experience, with more than 8,000 hours working with infants as well as children of different ages up to teenagers. I am fluent in English and Mandarin. I volunteered for half a year in an orphanage in china in 2016, taking care of six disabled infants daily, and also worked as a preschool summer teacher. I once cared for a newborn boy with surgery from 9 days old until he was 5 months, which deepened my love for children and appreciation for life. I am CPR certified for infants and children, responsible, patient, and always on time. I believe babysitting is not only about care, but also about giving love and helping kids grow. I am also comfortable with pets (I’ve raised dogs for more than 10 years) and can assist with light housework if needed. I look forward to meeting you and your family. Thank you for your time.

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Anastasia
Booked by 36 repeat families
57 reviews
$30 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 79 families in Santa Cruz, CA

Hi! I’m taking time off from studying behavioral and cognitive neuroscience at UCSD and looking for occasional work. I started volunteering at a daycare that my high school had and fell in love with it. I found kids energy, excitement for life, curiosity, and imagination to be contagious. I am a caring, compassionate, patient person which makes it easy for me to interact with kids. After babysitting for over 5 years and working with different families I have gained experience with kids of all ages. I have CPR training, am fully vaccinated and also had my booster shot.

“Great service, she took good care of both of our kids. Very professional and would highly recommend.”

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Courtney
Booked by 10 repeat families
18 reviews
$25 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 26 families in Santa Cruz, CA

Hello, My name is Courtney and I am currently looking for occasional jobs only! I am a nursing assistant who is home for the summer. I work with ages 0-10. I love taking care of the kids and providing a nurturing and safe environment. I offer child care and pet services! I have grown up with my twin sister and oldest sister and have three dogs. In high school, I was captain of my soccer team and was awarded Most Inspiring and Senior of the Year. I love taking care of kids. I have been babysitting since I was 16 and have been using Urban Sitter for 5 years! I work with all ages. Some activities I love to do with kids include playing sports, doing arts and crafts, going on walks, and playing imaginary games. I will always encourage kids to use their imagination and creativity. I try to implement stimulating activities for kids such as memory games, asking them mental math problems, asking them to point to certain colors/numbers etc. I am a very active and adaptable person. Your kids safety and comfortability is my #1 priority. I am CPR and AED certified! As for pets, I have three dogs myself and would love to pet sit! I I am very experienced with taking care of pets. I can sit dogs and cats as well as other animals. At this time, I am only looking for occasional jobs due to my busy schedule with school. Please reach out if you have any questions. I look forward to hearing from you!

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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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