Find a last-minute babysitter in Santa Monica, CA

Hi! I'm Abra. I have experience as a nanny, resort children's program director, and instructor for maritime/marine biology camps. I have experience as a private chef during covid as well as private deckhand/stew. I enjoy cooking. I loved having the opportunity to be a stay at home mom for many years to my daughter, who is now 19, and in college. I currently work part time as a marine surveyor on container ships and oil tankers. In my free time I love to go tidepooling, and I have a native wildflower project I've been working on by myself for several years in Laurel Canyon. I can make an art, craft or science project out of just about anything. I have a ton of silly songs I know by heart, and still love to play. I also have experience with volunteer hospice care and limited mobility care.

Welcome! My name is Kat - I am pleased to make your virtual acquaintance. Please make sure and scroll to the bottom for my posted policies. My experience as a seasoned executive assistant in both New York City and Los Angeles' entertainment industries translates wonderfully into the world of childcare. An adaptive, organized and resourceful professional, who is great at anticipating needs and juggling multiple priorities simultaneously, my experience as a sitter is advanced and extensive with children starting as young as less than 2 weeks old. Via Urbansitter I have done everything from simple date night sitting to a 24-hr overnight booking with both parents out of town. Growing up in the Chicagoland area as the older sister to a younger brother and sister, I have enjoyed looking after children most of my life (I worked my first summer nanny job for a 2 year old at age 15!). Friends, family, employers and even complete strangers are always touched by my way with children. What can I say, I am a child at heart! Like children, I am imaginative, playful and always curious to learn more. I immerse myself in the arts and healthful living (cooking, especially) and am eager to share and enjoy culture with your child(ren). I respect and embrace my families' household traditions and/or approaches whether its following RIE parenting, incorporating vocab whenever possible from a second language spoken in the home or helping keep a kosher kitchen. Hiring me is about so much more than "watching" your child(ren). I will stimulate their imagination(s) and explore their interests, contributing to their curiosity and ambition. I am most proud of my results expanding children's palates, vocabulary and autonomy (from separation anxiety) to help them reach developmental goals and milestones. Thank you for your time and consideration. TDAP vaccinated 10/17 Lifeguard, CPR, first aid, AED certified 8/17 FUN FACTS ABOUT ME: -I am currently pursing TV writing on spec, but when I first joined Urbansitter I balanced babysitting with fulltime work as a Producer's Assistant working in TV and Film development and production. Sometimes my job and childcare overlap, like the time I accompanied a boss's 3 children (ages 2-7) on an 18+ hr international flight. - I graduated with a BA in Television/Radio/Film (Newhouse) and Women's Studies (College of Arts and Sciences) from Syracuse University. At SU I was involved with many organizations, including the alpha chapter of Gamma Phi Beta sorority. - In the summer of 2015 I adopted Garçon, a young bichon frise-miniature poodle mix. I was pleasantly surprised how much my work with toddlers helped me to train him. He loves children and has successfully joined me on numerous bookings, should you want a special playdate with your child(ren) and him. - I play recreational soccer in a charity league and enjoyed being a "Soccer Nanny" escorting one of my charges to his all-day soccer tournaments. - In the fall of 2013 I completed a 12-performance/month-long run of a local, independent production of the broadway musical, Urinetown: The Musical - For fun, I study musical improv, improv and sketch comedy writing at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatres (LA and NYC). I am eager to take a class at the Groundlings Theater. - I am self-taught on the piano, ever since my early childhood when my grandmother used to pay me a dollar for every song I learned. I am currently teaching myself the ukelele. - I enjoy creative writing, dancing and photography whenever (and wherever!) inspiration strikes. I am actively working on both a screenplay and tv pilot, taking classes at the Writing Pad. - One of my favorite adventures around SoCal is whale watching: I have seen blue and gray whales --as well as dolphins and sea lions-- off of Newport Beach. - I lived for 6 months in London, traveling extensively throughout the UK and Europe, utilizing my fluency (at the time) in French whenever I could. I do have a couple of families in which French is their children's first and only language and I help them learn English. I? am currently learning Spanish via app Duolingo. - In high school I had an impressive resume of vocal and theater work. I was a member of 7 choirs, including one that toured nursing homes and convalescence centers; received honors in solo and ensemble vocal competitions; was a professional cantor in Chicago; performed in several musicals and musical reviews; was selected for the make-up and costume department for Illinois All-State Theater (The Pirates of Penzance) and attended the renowned Interlochen Arts Camp for voice. - My older brother is a Veterinarian currently at Chicago's Shedd Aquarium and Abbott Oceanarium (before that he was at the Columbus Zoo)! Growing up, he always had a menagerie of pets. - My father is an Editor at The Chicago Tribune. For most of my life he worked there as a criminal courts reporter. 2016 marked 30 years with the Trib. POLICIES, please note: - My $25/hr rate is reflective of my certifications, professional resume and experience as a "fixer nanny" or "pitch-hitter nanny" when families are traveling to LA without a nanny, parents are away on business trips, nannies are ill or otherwise unable to work and/as "Camp Kat" during school holidays, closures, vacations and for parties or daycares. - I am happy to interview/speak in advance of a booking free of charge via Facetime/Skype, phone or text. For in-person interviews I require a minimum of one hour at my hourly rate but a working interview for closer to my minimum hours (see next bullet) in duration is preferred when possible. - I ask for 4 hrs minimum for any booking. This allows me to honor first-come bookings that are shorter than my average 6-hour bookings and justify commuting expenses. - In keeping with CA employment law, I charge time and a half ($37.50) for overtime hours which are defined as any hours additional to 8 consecutive hours of work. For example, a 10 hr day would be $200 for 8 hrs + $75 for the add'l 2. - I do not consent to be filmed by any recording device, hidden or in plain sight. All cameras must be disclosed. - I ask that any/all parking fees be covered should complimentary parking not be available. - I charge mileage (#miles clocked x $0.58), in keeping with CA law for 2019, in addition to my hourly rate for any driving done under your charge (excluding my commute). - Should my commute exceed 10 mi one-way I ask that families reimburse me the CA mileage rate per additional mile round trip. I calculate the mileage in advance for parents’ approval by averaging google maps routes and always share my calculations. For example, if the average mileage to a destination is 14 miles I would charge for the additional 8 miles (4 each way) and multiply that by $0.58= $4.64 commuting fee. - I ask for advance notice of any illness in your home and reserve the right to cancel should I deem myself at risk of catching something highly serious or contagious in nature. Children that are not vaccinated must be disclosed. - Since my work day often requires that I schedule around personal commitments or other booking requests, I ask for payment in full for the time frame you reserve even if you return home early or push the booking back to a later start time, thus a shorter duration, less than 48 hours prior. This applies to reschedules. - Since I often have to turn down booking requests for an existing booking, I ask for 48 hrs notice for any and all cancellations. If your cancellation is less than 48 hrs, but more than 12 hrs I request payment for half the booking. For 12 hrs or less I ask that you provide payment in full within the week. A rescheduled booking does not exempt you from payment of a cancellation fee. - I frequently work in hotels/Airbnbs/etc. Since options are often very limited in these scenarios I ask that water, snacks - and meals if the booking falls during a meal time - be made available to me. - I am severely allergic to guinea pigs, rabbits and horses. if you have them in your home it may, unfortunately, not be a good fit. I have very mild allergies to dogs and cats, but am v. happy to work with them so long as fur on the furniture and carpeting is minimal. Pets love me.

Hello! My name is Victoria and I have years of experience in child care. I am a newborn care specialist and a trained postpartum doula. I have worked as a nanny/babysitter for 15+years, and currently am an arts educator in theatre. I direct children’s plays and help manage a performing arts studio. I have experience with children of all ages. I love yoga, the outdoors, coloring, theatre, singing, dancing, vegetables, and ice cream! It would be a pleasure to meet you and your family :)

Hello, my name is Kylee, and I received my B. A. in Digital and Video Film Production from Maryount California University in Palos Verdes. I love and have so much fun interacting with children. They have a such a way of looking at the world and I try to always remember seeing the world through their eyes from time to time. My mom spent many years teaching dance and drama at an elementary school which I would help facilitate by watching and playing with the kids. I have babysat since I was 16 mostly between the ages of 5 months to 6 years old. I also was actively working in the nursery at my church since I was 12. Children are amazing and can teach as much as they need to learn. I would really enjoy any opportunity to continue to learn and work with the little one's to help parent's out. Another fun job I have is working as a princess, face painter, and balloon twister. It definitely keeps my imagination sharp which is helpful when it comes to play time with toddlers and elementary age children. My mom was a single parent so I know how hard it can be. If there is any way I can help alleviate some of that pressure I would be glad to offer my services.

Hello, my name is Nicole! I’m 26 years old and originally from Poland. I’m currently living in Los Angeles, Encino and have several years of childcare experience, including working as an Au Pair (live in nanny) where I cared for children of different ages and supported busy families in their everyday routines. I’m CPR certified and have experience with kids from ages 2 to 15. Over time, I’ve learned how to find that sweet spot between fun and structure whether we’re doing crafts, playing outside, helping with homework or just winding down after a busy day. I always want kids to feel safe, comfortable, and free to be themselves, and for you to feel relaxed knowing they’re in good hands. In my free time, I’m very active. I enjoy sports and going to the gym, which helps me stay energetic. I love reading books and cooking, and I often share my passion for learning and healthy meals with the little ones I care for. I am a reliable and a safe driver so transportation and errands are never a problem. I’m responsible, caring, punctual and always ready to create a fun and positive environment for children! I’m more than happy to chat and answer any questions over a phone call, feel free to reach out anytime!