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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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Angela
Booked by 6 repeat families
7 reviews
$30 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 12 families in Santa Cruz, CA

I have been working with children for 15 years and I still love it. I worked at a daycare center as an infant toddler teacher for five years. I taught swim lessons to all ages. I am currently a nanny for over 5 years. I love to be outside taking walks, or at a park. I like to do art activities, make up scavenger hunts, read books, play board/card games, legos, and just follow what the child is into. Usually just make up games. A babysitter should be a fun time for the child. I am happy to do easy meals for the kids and some cleaning.

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Trisha
Booked by 49 repeat families
41 reviews
$35 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 81 families in Santa Cruz, CA

Hi! My name is Trisha, and I've been working with children for over 20 years. During that time, I've cared for more than 20 families and have many wonderful references available upon request. I also served as the Children's Ministry Director at my former church for several years. I'm currently working as a Household Manager/Nanny. i am currently only looking for occasional date night jobs on Friday or Saturday evening. I moved to San Jose a little over a year ago and would love to find a position closer to home, though I'm happy to travel for the right family. A little about me—I’m 47 years old and helped raise my stepdaughter from the age of 4. She is now 29. I'm creative and love painting, shopping, and spending time outdoors. I'm a non-smoker, a Christian, and I genuinely love working with children. I enjoy helping families however I can and pride myself on being dependable, easygoing, and fun! I’m always on time and love bringing games, crafts, and creative activities for the kids. I also enjoy taking children to the park, library, and other fun outings when appropriate. I would love to learn more about your family, your child, and your daily routine to see if we'd be a great fit. My rate is $35–$40 per hour for one or two children. I have my own reliable vehicle and am happy to provide transportation to and from school or extracurricular activities. If you think we might be a good match, I'd love to hear from you! Finding the right nanny can be challenging, and I truly hope you find the perfect fit for your family. I look forward to hearing from you. Have a wonderful rest of your week! Trisha

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Liliana
Booked by 2 repeat families
3 reviews
$27 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 5 families in Santa Cruz, CA

Hello, my name is Liliana (or Lily)! I was born and raised in San Jose and am excited to be working as a nanny with local families while completing my master’s degree in counseling psychology at SCU! I have been working as a nanny since fall of 2025, and have had the pleasure of caring for children ranging from 1 to 13 years old. I really admire children's curiosity, creativity, and intelligence, and I find so much fulfillment in watching them grow! I am currently available for occasional and one-time evening jobs. Relevant education and certifications: - Undergraduate courses in child development. - Pediatric CPR/AED certified by the Red Cross. - Valid CA driver's license. About me: - I am an avid reader and have a deep appreciation for children's literature! Some of my childhood favorites include "Arnie the Doughnut" and "Sarah, Plain and Tall." - I love cooking and baking, and am a big proponent of involving kids in the kitchen – it teaches life skills, supports mathematical and scientific development, and is a great vehicle for creativity! - I grew up participating in dance and theatre, and still still take ballet classes in my spare time! I also love fostering creative expression in kids, whether it be music, dance, drawing, or imaginative play! ________ My policies: - Booking: I ask that all new families book me through Urban Sitter. Families looking for long-term care can schedule recurring services off-site, so long as the first booking is made through Urban Sitter. I also encourage families to message me before booking to confirm my availability. - Daily minimum hours: I work a consecutive two-hour minimum, and generally only accept jobs that meet this requirement. In the event that a family books me for a shorter period of time, they can expect to pay for a minimum of two hours, even if they only need me for one. - Cancellation policy: I ask that any scheduling changes be communicated as early as possible, and I will share any scheduling conflicts ASAP (usually 4+ weeks in advance). I do not charge for canceled bookings unless I am given less than 24 hours notice, at which point I will charge 50% of the total original booking cost. - Mileage: I have my own car, and am happy to offer driving services to families. Because not all jobs require driving, I do not factor it into my hourly rate. Instead, if a family requires driving, I will charge a reimbursement of 76 cents per mile.

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Mary
Booked by 2 repeat families
3 reviews
$35 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 2 families in Santa Cruz, CA

Hi my name is Mary, in my mid 30s, behavior specialist in dogs and children. I have a very bubbly, go lucky personality. I have been an auntie since I was 15 years old, raising my nieces and nephews since they were infants. I am comfortable with feeding, playing, changing and putting a baby to sleep. I am comfortable with household errands, picking up/ dropping off for school, and pet care needs. You'll wonder why I want to be a nanny and why my profile is bland compared to most. My recent job I was working as a personal aide for a young adult with Autism and realized how much my presence gave my client reassurance and peace of mind. On top of that her daughter felt comfortable with me by her side so she can be independent. If the government had more funding she wouldn't have lost her grant and I wouldn't have lost my job and find another family to help. I did more than just drove her to her doctor appointments and helped make her meals, I was her protector, her voice, when she was crying I would comfort and talk her through it. When she could not talk or voice her feelings, I was her projector, I defended her and protected her peace of mind. I am an open book so please ask me anything, I just hope someone will give me a chance to make their life easier. I have client references to verify my hard work and continuous drive. I am more than just a nanny, I am someone they can trust more than family.

“Mary was incredible for our first parents' night out and took great care for our 2.5 year old son. Mary cooked a dinner and gave us status updates with photos (which was totally unexpected, but definitely appreciated). We really appreciate her approach with a toddler that has opinions :) and her patience was so valuable. Will definitely book again and again.”

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

Hi, I’m Soni! Nice to meet you! I want to help your family! I like to spend time with kids because they teach me a lot and, of course, I teach them new fun adventures and games. I used to babysit for a family in SF (~2 years). I have taken just occasional jobs, but I have been working during all my time in the USA as a babysitter (~4 years) plus some occasional in Colombia (~7 years). I’m studying to become a chiropractor, so I can’t take full-time jobs, but I do take part time or occasional jobs! I would love to help your family also during my breaks ( usually 1 to 3 weeks), so don’t hesitate to reach out!

“Sonia was great with our twin boys, keeping up with their energy and playing non stop! We will invite Sonia back again!”

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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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