Family with caregiver

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

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

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Ana Karoline
Booked by 46 repeat families
66 reviews
$30 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 96 families in Washington, DC

Hello parents, My name is Ana, 30 yo and currently looking for an occasional babysitting position. Originally from Brazil, I have been living in the US for eight years and worked as an Au pair and nanny during this time. I’m comfortable with the kids routine, playdate, meal prep, bath and bed time. I am very flexible and would consider myself easygoing and organized. I love to be outdoors and organize fun and safe activities. Also it’s important to mention that I am non-smoker and love animals. I am looking forward to hear from you! Thank you, Ana

“Ana was great with our 4 year old & 11 month old. Both took to her quickly and our 4 year old said she had fun playing together!”

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Laurelle
Booked by 14 repeat families
30 reviews
$25 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 40 families in Washington, DC

I finished LPN (Licenced Practical Nurse). I have years of experiences working with an infant, toddler, and school aged children. Kids are adorable. I don't have my own, but I have several nieces and nephews I babysit and love as my own kids. I love my family so much, they're my everything.

“Laurelle was such a lovely lady and wonderful caregiver. She was promptly on time and immediately engaged with my 4 month old. Laurelle was comfortable with my lab mix, Lincoln and I was happy to leave my little family in her hands. Hopefully she will be available the next time I need help as she is incredibly kind and got along amazingly well with my little one.”

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Shirley
Booked by 17 repeat families
29 reviews
$20 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 35 families in Washington, DC

Hi parents! My name is Shirley, I’m 24 years old and currently working as a Registered Nurse in D.C! I babysat all throughout nursing school and hope to continue to occasionally do so. When it comes to experience I have cared for infants as young as 1 month old to middle school aged children. I have also cared for multiple kids at one time including multiple infants and toddlers at a time. In high school I volunteered at a recreation center for 5 months working with 4-5th graders in an after school program where I helped with homework and setting up activities. I have taken some child development classes and am aware of the appropriate milestones, activities and communication needed for kids of different age groups. I speak fluent Spanish and am also willing to teach your kids as well if that is something you would be interested in! I strive to always provide a positive and memorable caring experience for you and your children and would be more than happy to answer any other questions or concerns you may have for me! *CPR/BLS certified* *All bookings with me must be made through urbansitter due to safety concerns*

“Shirley watched our son for a date night. She was on time, courteous and flexible with her time. Our son was already asleep, so not much to say on that front but I would hire her to watch him in the future. ”

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Monica
Booked by 17 repeat families
21 reviews
$20 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 34 families in Washington, DC

Hi! My name is Monica, and I am a babysitter with several years of experience. I have cared for children between the ages of 1 and 10. My responsibilities have included walking children to and from school, playing games, reading together, and supporting evening routines, among other tasks. I have also worked with children in educational settings. During the academic year, I work full-time as a high school educator. I am currently seeking part-time or occasional babysitting opportunities. Outside of babysitting, I enjoy spending time with dogs, reading, and running. I am also bilingual in English and Spanish for families interested in supporting dual-language learning.

“Monica is lovely! The kids really enjoyed playing games with her, they went to bed on time, too :-) Happy to have Monica babysit again!”

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Sara
Booked by 21 repeat families
22 reviews
$23 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 41 families in Washington, DC

Hello Families! My name is Sara. I have both professional and personal experience in caring for children of all ages. I am CPR and AED certified. I am trilingual with fluency in English and Amharic, and limited working proficiency in Spanish. I also have previous K-5 tutoring experience and as a college student myself, I understand the value of education. I am very active and have no problem playing with little ones for long periods of time. I am open to offering homework assistance, teaching practical skills, taking children outside or to practice, helping within the house (cooking, laundry, errands, planning, light tidying,etc) and anything else you may need in between. I also have experience in pet care (dog-walking and cat-sitting). I take pride in being dependable, attentive, and supportive. It would be my pleasure and goal to help make your daily routine easier in any way I can.

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Children playing together

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.

1,347 sitters background checked in Washington, DC

4.9 average star rating from total of 5,930 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 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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