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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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311 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.
187 available today | Avg hourly rate: $23.33/hr

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

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Carmen
Booked by 8 repeat families
9 reviews
$30 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 23 families in Washington, DC

Hi! My name is Carmen and I am a junior at Georgetown University studying business! I have been babysitting my moms friends kids since I was little and have always loved working with kids. I have experience volunteering at an orphanage where I visit once a week and work mostly with babies 0-3 years old. I also work part time at Georgetown with a family of 2 kids (3 months and 2 years old!) and a family with a 5 month-old girl. I have experience feeding, bathing, and keeping kids entertained! I like working with kids because through babysitting I get to relive my childhood through the eyes of the kids I care for. There is so much to learn from children and I love to teach them the alphabet, colors, animals while I learn from them. I also speak Spanish, so also love to teach little ones Spanish if it is okay with the parents! In my spare time, I like to journal, go on walks, try new coffee shops, and spend time with friends and family. My skills include bedtime routine, cooking, and tutoring. I am open to working with families with pets!

“Carmen is awesome! My daughter loves her, excited we found her and looking forward to working more with her in the future.”

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Aimee
Booked by 69 repeat families
69 reviews
$22 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 144 families in Washington, DC

Hi! I work for DC Public Library and have been working in libraries for over 7 years now and I love it! I'm happy to get back to sitting occasionally to spend time engaging in fun activities like park visits, imaginative play, reading, kid-friendly cooking, and music/art! I don't have kids of my own so getting to spend time and care for others is a joy and privilege that I don't take for granted. I enjoy being a caregiver and sharing the present moment with kids. It feels less like work and more like an escape from my daily routine! My schedule varies as I work every other weekend and one full weekend a month (both Saturday and Sunday). I also have Thursday mornings off if anyone needs help then! I've worked with children aged 1 to 12 and infants (3 months+) locally since 2011. Before DC, I went abroad to au pair for a family with two young children (2 and 4 years old when I arrived). My duties have included: Meal prep/ Feeding (bottles, babyfood etc.) Light housekeeping Drop offs/ Pick ups Caring for sick toddlers and infants Medicine Adminstration Activities and Outings Supervision and chaperoning in various settings (home and away) Tutoring and homework help Help caring for pets (dogs and cats) My longest full-time childcare job was working abroad as an au pair. I stayed with the family for over a year and a half, working afternoons, all day Wednesday (off-school day), and the occasional evening, weekend, or vacation sitting.

“Aimee connected with our girls right away. She was on-time, and had great communication throughout. Would definitely recommend!”

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Leevel
Booked by 8 repeat families
12 reviews
$20 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 18 families in Washington, DC

Hi! My name is Leevel, and I’m so excited to support families in my community. I’m originally from Denver, Colorado, and I’m currently a college student at The George Washington University, where I’m studying Political Science. I have several years of experience working with children in different settings. In 2024, I served as a Girls on the Run coach, mentoring elementary and middle school girls and creating a positive, confidence-building environment. This past summer, I worked at a summer camp, leading activities, supervising groups, and ensuring every child felt safe and engaged. Right now, I’m a tutor at an elementary school during the weekdays, working closely with students and adapting to different personalities, learning styles, and needs. I’m responsible, patient, and genuinely love helping kids learn, grow, and have fun. I’d love to be a reliable and supportive part of your family’s routine!

“Leevel arrived early and was a wonderful help. Our two 5-year-olds loved spending the afternoon with her. She did a great job of keeping them engaged and also helping to encourage them to clean up one activity before moving on to the next. We will definitely hire her again.”

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Ashley
Booked by 67 repeat families
87 reviews
$25 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 122 families in Washington, DC

Hi, I’m Ashley and I like to consider myself The Nanny Guru ! I have over 10 years of experience working with children between the ages of new born to 16 years of age. My experience includes some of the following; former full time nanny, teacher assistant within DCPS, aftercare provide, tutor for elementary and high school students, child care center provider, and much more ! I am fun, energetic, patient with kids and always do my best to understand their needs as their safety and happiness is my priority. Thank you and I hope to book with you soon. **Please note additional rate information: 1. There is an additional $5.00 added to my hourly base rate per child for bookings that are 3 hours or less 2. Expect payment for entire booking 3. Please contact me directly for overnight rate

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Megan
Booked by 18 repeat families
38 reviews
$25 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 48 families in Washington, DC

Hi! My name is Megan I have several years of babysitting experience with children of all ages. I graduated from Tulane in 2015 and have lived in the DC area ever since. I have a full time job at a nonprofit so can usually only babysit in the evenings and on weekends. I’m happy to help with any cooking and cleaning if needed! I also have a car so can drive to suburbs outside of D.C. Please let me know if you have any questions!

“Megan was wonderful! She accepted the job last minute and jumped right in with my three kids. The next day they all agreed she was “so nice” and asked if she could come back again!”

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

  • Average hourly rate for 1 child: $23.33
  • Average hourly rate for 2 children: $28.05
  • 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.

1,346 sitters background checked in Washington, DC

4.9 average star rating from total of 5,707 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

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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 $23.33 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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