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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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309 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.
167 available today | Avg hourly rate: $23.32/hr

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

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Britney $20 per hour for 1 child

Hi everyone! My name is Britney and I’m a junior political science major at Howard University looking to babysit afterschool or during the weekends. I have over 10 years of experience with childcare and can provide references if needed. My schedule is pretty flexible because all my classes are in the morning and I plenty of free time during the weekend. I love engaging children in arts and crafts, reading stories together, and baking treats, making every moment a chance for learning and laughter. I can also assist with homework. Please message me if you have any questions or interested in having me as a sitter 🧸

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Erica
Booked by 4 repeat families
12 reviews
$16 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 24 families in Washington, DC

My name is Erica. I am 27 years old! I have been babysitting for the past 10 years. I work in Public Affairs and I'm a graduate of the University of Maryland College Park. A little bit of my history, I was a Girl Scout troop leader for middle school aged girls for about a year. I have extensive experience babysitting for neighbors, family friends as well as a family in Silver Spring for occasional date nights. In college, I babysat as part of a carpool for two families in D.C as well as for occassional date nights! I am a non-smoker as well as have a clean driving record. I am comfortable with dogs, I grew up with a boxer. I'm fully vaccinated.

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Madison
Booked by 1 repeat family
$18 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 1 family in Washington, DC

Hi! I’m Madison, a graduate student at George Washington University and employee at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. I have been doing childcare since middle school, including babysitting for families with over 6 kids, infants, church programs, and more! I would love to help out in any way possible, and I’m super flexible in activities and can transport kids, clean, or just entertain and watch kids! I also have experience pet sitting dogs, cats, chickens, and fish!

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Adriana
Booked by 1 repeat family
1 review
$25 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 1 family in Washington, DC

Experienced caregiver to children and pets! Looking for occasional jobs as needed. Would love to talk to you about my experience and how I fit your care giving needs! Please reach out with any questions.

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Mary $22 per hour for 1 child

Hi all! My name is Mary Rose, and I’m a second year PhD student studying Clinical and Pediatric Psychology and living in Washington, DC. I’m available this summer for daytime and evening babysitting on select days. I love working with and caring for children of all ages! I'm new to UrbanSitter, but I have 10+ years of experience serving as an assistant teacher, swim instructor, and summer camp counselor for children 4 to 12 years old at multiple programs in the DMV. I enjoy leading arts and crafts project, science and reading activities, and field trips to the Zoo, museums, and the pool! In addition to being CPR-certified, I can cook meals and contribute to tasks such as laundry and household tidying. I also offer academic tutoring services in language arts, social studies, and writing for older children, and provide feedback and writing support for applications to college and graduate school.

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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: $28.00
  • Typical job length: 4.8 hours
  • Most requested times: Evening

As of November 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.

1,345 sitters background checked in Washington, DC

4.9 average star rating from total of 5,899 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 November 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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