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

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

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Amelia
Booked by 2 repeat families
4 reviews
$18 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 10 families in Washington, DC

I have been working with children for the past decade or so, and have been focusing on working with infants and toddlers for the past 5 years. I recently took a break from UrbanSitter to focus on Substitute Teaching (1.5 years with DCPS), but miss the level of flexibility babysitting gave me. I focus on forming strong emotional bonds with the kids in my care, based on mutual respect and acknowledgment of every person's inherent worth. In the next couple of years, I am hoping to get my masters in education and pursue a career as a classroom teacher. I am LGBTQ+ friendly and willing to negotiate pricing and expectations based on the personal needs of your family. NB: I have fibromyalgia which greatly affects my availability to work on a day-to-day basis. It might seem like I lack the tenacity or the eagerness of other providers, but on the contrary, I believe my disability has made me even more passionate about providing quality care for every family.

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Michelle
Booked by 7 repeat families
11 reviews
$23 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 20 families in Washington, DC

Hello, my name is Michelle and I’ve taken care of kids since the end of my high school year. What I most like about babysitting is the environment the child makes by being creative and learning from each thing they do and it’s basically never a dull moment. My motive is to help out parents and give them a fresh start each day when coming back home from work. I also have experience with newborns. I am a recent college graduate and soon to transferring to University to get my bachelors degree.

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Claire 5 reviews
$18 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 4 families in Washington, DC

Hi! My name is Claire, and I'm a recent college graduate from Columbia University. I love working with kids, and have been tutoring, babysitting, and volunteering as a camp counselor since I was 14 years old. I've worked with youth of all ages, from kindergarteners to high schoolers, for about ten years. I am currently an English tutor and volunteer mentor to refugee high school students with the International Rescue Committee. I consider myself a friendly person who loves reading bedtime stories and crafting. I'm more than happy to help with homework as well. While I'm not a native speaker, I was a Spanish tutor in high school and would be happy to help little ones with introductory level language practice. I'm also more than happy to help care for any furry friends or elderly loved ones you have at home. I look forward to meeting you! Update: Hi everyone, thank you to all the lovely families with whom I have had the joy of working during my time in DC! I will be moving to New York in June to begin a new job, so I unfortunately will only be able to take on one-time jobs over the next month for families in DC. Thank you!

“Claire was great! Our daughter kept talking about her the next day. ”

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Tanesha
Booked by 12 repeat families
18 reviews
$22 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 23 families in Washington, DC

Hello, My name is Tanesha. I am 26years old. I have a Master’s in Special Education with a concentration in ABA. I have 7 years in the special education field from teaching to an registered behavior technician. I have 2 beautiful children of my own; 5 year old daughter and a 3 year old son. I have a passion for children!!! I LOVE interacting and engaging with children. Education George Mason University - Master’s degree June 2021

“We adore her. She’s professional and has a passion for kids you can tell it’s naturally in her. We love it. Our kids love her. ”

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Ashley
Booked by 2 repeat families
4 reviews
$25 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 4 families in Washington, DC

I’m an educator who currently works at a PreK–12 school and have experience working with children and teens of different ages and personalities. I’m patient, dependable, attentive, and love making sure kids are safe while still having fun! Depending on what your kiddos enjoy, I’m always down for arts and crafts, baking, board games, movie nights, trips to the park, library outings, or coming up with a fun activity at home. I’m also happy to help with homework, meals, bedtime routines, and transportation. I have my own reliable car and am comfortable with school pickups/drop-offs and getting kids to activities. I’m also happy to help around the house with laundry, dishes, tidying up, and light cleaning. I’m flexible and happy to work with whatever routines make things easiest for your family.

“We think Ashley is fantastic! She’s so sweet and the babies love her. Definitely hire her!”

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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.

1,347 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

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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