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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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310 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.
191 available today | Avg hourly rate: $23.35/hr

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

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Jamie $20 per hour for 1 child

Hi! My name is Jamie. I am available for child care, pet care, and household services. I love working with children and have been watching newborns, infants, toddlers, and kids since I was in middle school. I have experience as a mom (to twins!), a babysitter, a camp counselor, and a teacher. I have been a caretaker for young people with significant physical limitations and learning disabilities. I am also available to help you manage day-to-day tasks, like cooking, cleaning, and running errands.

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Rafaliarison $24 per hour for 1 child

Hi everyone – My name is Steffy and I am passionate about childcare, and household services. I love being around kids and have always been surrounded by family. As the first grandchild, I grew up taking care of all my younger cousins until they became independent, which gave me valuable experience. I also love cooking, which is my other job, and enjoy preparing meals for families. Caring for others is one of the most important values my parents taught me, and I carry that into my work. I am passionate about organizing and cleaning, which makes me well-suited to handle household tasks and run errands efficiently. I am a big animal lover, having had 3 dogs and 6 turtles, so I’m happy to work with pets as well! Babysitting and caregiving allow me to combine my love for kids, cooking, organizing, and helping others. I look forward to working with your family!

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Maria 1 review
$20 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 1 family in Washington, DC

As a high school teacher, lacrosse coach, loving Aunt, and dog owner, I bring years of experience working closely with children and teens in both educational and athletic settings. I'm passionate about creating a safe and supportive environment for kids of all ages. My background has helped me develop patience, strong communication skills, and a deep understanding of child development and behavior. I have my B.S. in Biobehavioral health from Penn State University. I currently teach Health and Nutrition at St John’s College High school, and I’ve also worked at several different universities including Boston University and Georgetown University. According to feedback I’ve received from supervisors, I create a safe and welcoming environment and successfully keep children engaged and interested in class. I’ve coached all levels of lacrosse including youth, high school, and college. I also have experience being a live-in caregiver for my grandmother. I’m comfortable with light household tasks and pet care. Families can count on me to be responsible, attentive, and caring.

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Lucy 1 review
$23 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 1 family in Washington, DC

I am currently a full-time student at American University, graduating in May 2026 with a degree in Political Science. Outside of school, I enjoy staying active, which helps me bring plenty of energy and engagement to any enviorment I work in. I have experience in a variety of roles, including internships, food service, and other customer-facing positions, that have strengthened my communication, organization, and problem solving skills. I’m outgoing, friendly, responsible, easygoing, and comfortable managing routines. Thank you for considering my profile, hope to chat soon!

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Paula $25 per hour for 1 child

Creative, patient, compassionate and professional nanny dedicated to providing a safe, welcoming and stimulating environment for children, I have 5 years of experience with children of ages between 4 months to 12 years. I'm a person who enjoys spending time with children doing activities like picnics, going to the playground and riding scooters, dancing, cooking , building Legos and puzzles, crafts, read. Now that summer season is coming there is a lot of fun outdoors activities to do and also with water. In my experience I like to engage the baby in age-appropriate play and activities that stimulate their senses and promote learning such as trying different textures, staring pinching objects and developing hand motor skills, reading books and showing pictures of objects to identify them, tummy time, Motivate and emphasize activities when appropriate, crawling and walking, first steps, I am a person who loves nature and animals, I like to go for a walk with the children in the stroller and let them get some sunshine. I would love to be those extra hands that you need at home when you’re working or doing your own thing having the certainty that your children will be ok will me and I’ll help you as much as I can. I'm pet friendly, I have First Aid/CPR certificate, driver license and clean record. I speak English and Spanish. If you're interested, I can teach the children some basic things in Spanish

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

  • Average hourly rate for 1 child: $23.35
  • Average hourly rate for 2 children: $28.02
  • 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.

1,347 sitters background checked in Washington, DC

4.9 average star rating from total of 5,926 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 $23.35 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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