"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
Find a last-minute babysitter in Washington, DC
Need a sitter on short notice? Washington families find trusted, background checked babysitters on UrbanSitter.
Looking for jobs? Apply here.
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.
Eliene 1 review
$30 per hour for 1 child
$30 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 1 family in Washington, DC
My name is Eliene Ralda. I’ve been in the US for over 20 years. Currently happily married with 2 kids (girl, 21 & boy, 18). I have plenty of experience with babysitting and I am also trilingual (English, Portuguese, and Spanish). I have always enjoyed spending time with kids, I have my own car and I can prepare meals. I’m CPR/first aid certified.
Watch Video
Eden $21 per hour for 1 child
Hello! My name is Eden, I am a second-year student at the University of San Francisco. I am majoring in Fine Arts and minoring in Chinese. I have been babysitting kids of all ages for the past 8 years. I have babysat kids from the ages of six months to twelve years old. I have also house and pet sit. Some of my tasks for both were to water the outdoor and indoor plants, feed the pets, clean out litter boxes or cages, and refill water bowls. I have been able to sleep over when house sitting but I understand if some don't feel comfortable with that. I love the act of caring for others, being able to help out and spend time with kids really brings up my spirits. I am an open, curious, creative, patient, and empathetic person. I feel kids should get outside and do things off a screen as much as possible, which is why I love playing games with them, whether that's board games and card games or taking them to a park.
Allison
$25 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 2 repeat families
2 reviews$25 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 3 families in Washington, DC
Hi, my name is Allison and I'm currently working at a local bakery. I'm offering childcare and pet care, with light household services up for discussion. I have been watching children from newborn to elementary school age since I was 14 years old. My responsibilities have included meal prep, bedtime routines, outside and park play, assisting with organizing kid's rooms and toys, reading time, and general playtime. I am happy to work with families with dogs or cats.
“Allison is great to work with! We have hired her multiple times. She is friendly and kind, working hard to engage the kids. ”
Nia
$22 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 1 repeat family
1 review$22 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 2 families in Washington, DC
Hi, my name is Nia, and I am a student at Howard University studying Sociology and African American Studies. I have over four years of babysitting experience caring for children of various ages, from infants to school-aged children. I am responsible, patient, and dedicated to creating a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment where children can learn and grow. I enjoy reading with children, helping with homework, organizing arts and crafts activities, and encouraging creative and educational play. I can assist with meal and snack preparation as well as light housekeeping. I take pride in building positive relationships with both children and parents and strive to make every family feel supported and at ease.
“Nia Assata has been the only non-biological caregiver my daughters (currently 15yo and 7yo) have known for the past four years. Nia has been remarkably caring, responsible, and creative in her care for them despite an eight year age-gap. She has watched them for several hours at a time, sometimes overnight. Despite my wife and I having a robust community of friends and family, we trust Nia exclusively with the care of our girls in our absence as she is consistently thoughtful, even tempered, and aware of their comings and goings as she is responsible for them. Her interaction style is also quite competent as she is inquisitive, interactive, and directive while also having a gentle way that could disarm even an oppositional child. We recommend her without reservation”
Laila 1 review
$25 per hour for 1 child
$25 per hour for 1 child
I am 24 years old. I am excellent with kids. I have been working with kids for 10+ years. I started working with kids as a volunteer at a private school in Rockville when I was a teenager. And since then I’ve really enjoyed working with kids. I love music, food, video games, road trips, traveling, etc. I love to collect stuffed animals & I love to cook. I’ve recently taken up tennis as a hobby.
“I worked with Laila in an after-school program, and she was always reliable, caring, and great with the kids. She was patient, professional, and did a great job keeping the children engaged while making sure they were safe and following their routines. She worked well with both the kids and the staff, and you could tell she genuinely cared about the children she was working with. I would definitely recommend her to any family looking for a trustworthy and dependable babysitter.”
Live near a college or university? View babysitters by college
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
"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
"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
Find a last-minute babysitter in Washington
Submit a request to hear from available sitters.
We use email to send essential communication regarding your account.
To sign up with Facebook, we need permission to use your email address.
Sharing your friends list is optional, and allows us to connect you with sitters they book and recommend. Nothing will be shared or posted.
Find a last-minute babysitter in Washington
Submit a request to hear from available sitters.
We use email to send essential communication regarding your account.
To sign up with Facebook, we need permission to use your email address.
Sharing your friends list is optional, and allows us to connect you with sitters they book and recommend. Nothing will be shared or posted.
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.
Resources
Tips for finding last-minute child care
Ideas and strategies for when your plans change and you need a sitter.
How much does a babysitter cost?
See average babysitting rates by city and across the country.
Free printable emergency contacts card
A quick printable card to leave with your sitter in case something unexpected comes up.
