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Find a last-minute babysitter in Washington, DC

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

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313 available last-minute babysitters in Washington, DC

Families in Washington use UrbanSitter for last-minute date nights, schedule changes, backup care, and same-day babysitter needs.
193 available today | Avg hourly rate: $23.32/hr

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

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Zoleiry
Booked by 9 repeat families
17 reviews
$25 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 21 families in Washington, DC

Hi! My name is Zoleiry, or Zol, and I have 15 years of experience caring for infants and children, including working at children’s museums and summer camps. I’m fluent in both Spanish and English and am currently learning ASL. With my extensive experience and CPR/First Aid certification, I’d love the opportunity to be your family’s next babysitter! I work full-time as a Hill staffer for an Illinois Member and have been living in DC since 2017. I currently live in the Union Market neighborhood and babysit and provide pet care on the side, both to help pay down my student loans and because it’s work I genuinely enjoy. In my free time, I love spending time with friends, knitting, and walking dogs. I’m passionate about education policy and child development research. Looking forward to connecting with you and your little ones!

“Zoleiry was wonderful! She was very responsive, punctual, and immediately connected with our often very shy daughter. We really appreciated her energy and enthusiasm and felt really comfortable having her watch both our older daughter and baby. We would definitely recommend her!”

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Chieme
Booked by 32 repeat families
50 reviews
$25 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 59 families in Washington, DC

Hello! My name is Chieme and I’m a current Nursing student and certified by the American Heart association in infant/child/adult CPR. I have had high school and college experience taking care of children. I’ve babysat both here in America and back in my home-country Nigeria. In highschool most of my community service hours came from volunteering during the summer at a children’s camp, while my college experience comes from babysitting children through various babysitting apps. I also help babysit children of family members. I am the 2nd oldest of 4 children and have helped take care of the younger ones including my sister who has special needs. I also have experience babysitting children with neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD and autism. I am enthusiastic, active, and adore all children. My availability is very flexible at the moment, since I’m a full-time student. I believe I am engaging and responsible and would love to look after your children. I also have no pet allergies, so pets in the house are totally fine! I’ve gone through Urban Sitter’s background check and I am happy to provide any documents upon request. Thanks for your time and I hope to meet you and your family soon!

“She is reliable.”

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Temeka
Booked by 28 repeat families
68 reviews
$25 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 77 families in Washington, DC

Hi, parents! I have extensive caregiving experience which includes substitute teaching at the pre-K level and caring for children from infants to tweens. Since the pandemic I have regularly babysat and have cared for the children of more than 200 families. When babysitting I like playtime both indoor and at playgrounds as well as fun, age-appropriate activities. For toddlers I enjoy helping them reach their milestones through reading, play, talking, tummy time, etc. With older children I do arts and crafts and science experiments. I try to limit screen time as much as possible and typically avoid it all together. My goal during caregiving is to keep your child safe and happy while having fun. I look forward to hearing from you.

“Personalized approach for your kiddo - always favoring hands-on activities (art, science, books) and truly just gets to know the child better every visit. Would hire her permanently if that was even a thing 🫶”

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Brittany
Booked by 97 repeat families
114 reviews
$25 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 161 families in Washington, DC

Hello! I’ve been providing childcare for a range of ages in the District for over 15 years. I am a social worker, artist, and love to be outside. I am high energy and find hanging out with children and entertaining them to be so much fun! I am very comfortable with animals as well, I love dogs! Currently I have some families I provide dog sitting for in their homes when they go on trips. I volunteer at an animal sanctuary farms and rescue shelters, comfortable with all types of animals. I use this app to connect with families to build good working relationships, and many families I currently work with have worked with me for many years. Unfortunately I cannot offer full time child care, but I am a great option for date nights or weekends.

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Sara
Booked by 47 repeat families
55 reviews
$25 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 94 families in Washington, DC

Hi! It’s Sara. I am 28 years old. I have been working with children for five years. I started as an au pair, now I am babysitter and nanny. I have been taking care of babies, toddlers, kids and teenagers. I am very kind, patient and warm with them. I feel comfortable driving and spending time with pets. I am fluent in English and Spanish. One of my passion is baking, also I enjoy cooking.

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How much does a last-minute babysitter cost in Washington, DC?

  • Average hourly rate for 1 child: $23.32
  • Average hourly rate for 2 children: $28.02
  • Typical job length: 4.8 hours
  • Most requested times: Morning

As of October 2026

Recent babysitter activity in Washington, DC

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.

1,352 sitters background checked in Washington, DC

4.9 average star rating from total of 5,726 reviews in Washington, DC

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 Washington

Submit a request to hear from available sitters.

Why Washington 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 Washington families

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

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 Washington

How do I find a last-minute babysitter in Washington?

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

As of October 2026, the average babysitting rate in Washington is $23.32 per hour for one child. Rates vary by experience, number of children, and time of day. See babysitting rates in Washington.

Are babysitters on UrbanSitter background checked?

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

Can I find a same-day babysitter in Washington?

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

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