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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.
177 available today | Avg hourly rate: $23.34/hr

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

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

Hi my name is Qwan I’m 28 and a DC native. In my free time I enjoy reading and writing, cooking, and playing video games. I look forward to our future partnership! I have experience working with kids through my time spent as a summer camp counselor. Responsibilities included tutoring, supervision during activities, entertainment, and emotional support. I throughly enjoy cooking and can clean and drive to and from appointments as needed. I have some experience pet sitting for dogs both old and young and I enjoyed every minute of it. I am open to sitting for cats as well.

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Shavonne
Booked by 62 repeat families
101 reviews
$27 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 137 families in Washington, DC

Hi, I'm Shavonne. I have a Bachelor's degree in Child and Adolescent Development and have 10+ years babysitting experience. Besides babysitting I have various experiences working with children: I've worked as a youth tennis coach, taught Sunday school for 5-7 year olds, was a respite care worker for a child with special needs, interned in an infant classroom at a highly reputed lab school, spent almost 4 years teaching preschool and now I have been doing child development work for SF county for over 5 years. I have experience babysitting children ranging in age from 2 weeks to teenagers and families of up to 5 early childhood aged siblings at once. While babysitting, I enjoy engaging the children in arts and crafts activities; imaginative play; outings to parks and museums; and helping school aged children with homework. In my free time I enjoy being outdoors, playing tennis, and spending time with friends and family.

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Jalaycia
Booked by 8 repeat families
21 reviews
$25 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 26 families in Washington, DC

I am Jalaycia, a twenty-eight year old woman living in Hyattsville, MD. I am a full-time program manager and occasional babysitter. I am an energetic and responsible individual that absolutely adores kids. I have worked directly with youth for more than seven years through mentoring, volunteer work, and babysitting. I have babysat children with special needs and have visited with elders for many years. I am creative and capable of fulfilling whatever requests are needed. I am currently only accepting occasional jobs on a case by case instance through the end of 2026.

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Erica
Booked by 36 repeat families
53 reviews
$40 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 81 families in Washington, DC

200+ bookings on Urban Sitter! CPR and first aid certified. Joined Urban Sitter in May 2022, but long history of babysitting and nannying. Cared for as young as 10 weeks old through 14 years old and siblings. Feel free to read my reviews from my wonderful families and ask any questions :)

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Jan Marie
Booked by 23 repeat families
38 reviews
$25 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 43 families in Washington, DC

I would love to spend time reading to your children, playing outside, exploring nature, and dancing in the kitchen. I have taught preschool for three years. I have extensive experience babysitting, and I have eight years of teaching experience at the middle and high school level. I speak fluent German, and I would be happy to immerse your children in German and support their language development. I have worked as a full-time nanny for four years, with ages ranging from newborn (twins) to seven. **Allergic to cats**

“Jan was on time, very kind, positive and my son had a great time playing with her. She was a great help while my husband and I got chores done around the house!”

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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

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 $23.34 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.

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