"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.
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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.
177 available today | Avg hourly rate: $23.34/hr
All babysitters shown here are background checked every year. Learn more.
Laura 1 review
$20 per hour for 1 child
$20 per hour for 1 child
Hi, I'm a 21 year old college student studying anthropology at Bryn Mawr college. I am a competitive figure skater and have babysitting experience from high school as well as five years of coaching experience with kids aged 5-11. As well I love animals and have one dog and one cat. Marcy my dog age 12 and my cat Peter age 13. I have 3 years experience with pet care and love all animals.
“Laura is incredible! Laura is always on time and extremely flexible. She took great care of my two sons. She is kind and caring, while also helping to help my oldest (Timmy) with school! I would book her again anytime. Can’t’ wait for another night out with my husband!”
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Sophia 1 review
$25 per hour for 1 child
$25 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 1 family in Washington, DC
Hi! I’m Sophie. I am originally from Utah but moved here about 3 months ago. I graduated in Sociology and I am working on a Master’s Degree in school counseling. I am looking for occasional babysitting jobs and would love to find a family to babysit with on a regular basis. I have done Stop The Bleed and CPR training within about the last year and I nannied 3 children under 7 for a summer 3 days a week. I also teach a class of about six 7-8 year students olds once a week and have nieces and nephews I babysit occasionally. I have a flexible schedule in the hours outside of my normal job (a 9-5 M-TH) and I am happy to help with whatever including cleaning, cooking, laundry, prepping lunches, etc. I love doing fun activities like crafts, baking, or being outside. I grew up playing tennis and softball but am enjoying playing pickleball and doing yoga these days.
“We had a wonderful experience with Sophie. She was caring, responsible, punctual, followed instructions well, and was attentive to our 17 month old’s needs. Our son is usually slow to warm to people, but was immediately comfortable with Sophie. We would definitely recommend her to other families and would happily have her babysit again!”
Samantha $28 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 1 family in Washington, DC
Hi! I’m Sam, a California native and a recent graduate from GW. I love staying active and going with the kids’ flow, whether it’s playing outside, doing creative activities, or enjoying a movie. I have several years of babysitting and tutoring experience with kids of all ages, and I'm skilled in morning routines, school drop-offs, and overnight care. I'm also a dog lover with experience in dog-sitting, ensuring pets get the attention they need while their owners are away.
Dante
$18 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 1 repeat family
1 review$18 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 1 family in Washington, DC
I'm just a really cool guy. I'm also short of the 150 character minimum for this blob, so I guess I'll just keep typing random stuff until I reach th
“Took great care of my dog!”
Renée
$20 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 1 repeat family
1 review$20 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 2 families in Washington, DC
I'm a middle school teacher in the Georgetown neighborhood and living in Courthouse. I can also help with tutoring and have 5 years of experience as a math tutor at the middle school level. Being a teacher, I'm CPR certified. I've been a summer camp counselor and babysitter for over 10 years. Outside the classroom, I love spending time outdoors, baking and volunteering.
“Renee was absolutely wonderful. We were in town for the weekend and were a little nervous about finding a reliable sitter for our kids in a new city. Renee cared for my kids two nights in a row, and they had so much fun playing games all evening that they did not want her to leave! We felt very comfortable leaving the kids in her care, as she is very responsible and professional, and has a natural rapport with kids. If we lived in DC, I would hire her regularly!”
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How much does a last-minute babysitter cost in Washington, DC?
- Average hourly rate for 1 child: $23.34
- Average hourly rate for 2 children: $28.01
- Typical job length: 4.8 hours
- Most requested times: Morning
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.
1,346 sitters background checked in Washington, DC
4.9 average star rating from total of 5,926 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
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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 $23.34 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.
