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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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308 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: $23.33/hr

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

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Molly
Booked by 2 repeat families
3 reviews
$23 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 3 families in Washington, DC

Hi there! I am a recent graduate living in DC with my 11-month-old kitten Callie. I work at an afterschool program for pre-K kids run by the Y and do lots of babysitting throughout the DMV! I have experience with babies, teens, and everything in between, including caring for multiples! I have a car, love pets, and can handle bedtime, bathtime, feeding, outings, household chores, and whatever else you can throw at me! In my free time, I love to read, do crafts, hike, and go to the gym. I'm volunteering with the Archives and Natural History Museum, and hope to work in children's programming at museums! I love encouraging curiosity and creative thought, and encouraging kids to develop and appreciate themselves and the wonderful world we live in :)

“My kids had a great time with Molly!”

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Janelle
Booked by 3 repeat families
7 reviews
$30 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 7 families in Washington, DC

Hi, I’m Janelle! I’m looking for occasional babysitting hours on weekday evenings or weekends. I have extensive experience babysitting toddlers, older children, and children under 1. I spent five years teaching swim lessons to kids from ages 2-8 years old and coaching a summer swim team with kids from 4-18 years old. I love caring for kids!

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Kyra
Booked by 1 repeat family
3 reviews
$25 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 4 families in Washington, DC

My name is Kyra-Marie, and I’m a warm, creative, and responsible caregiver with over 7 years of experience working with children from infants to teens. I currently assist in the DC classrooms, helping elementary school students pre-k through 5th develop important skills through both learning and play. I’m certified in Pediatric First Aid and CPR, and I’m confident in caring for children with special needs, including ADHD, autism, asthma, anxiety, food allergies, OCD, tics, and visual and hearing impairments. I love engaging kids through crafts, drawing, reading, games, and hands-on activities. I also enjoy baking with children when parents are comfortable with it, as it’s a fun way for them to be creative while learning practical skills. I’m happy to help with cooking, light chores, and homework. I’m also comfortable with bedtime routines and enjoy taking children out for walks to the park, museums, libraries, or simply getting some fresh air and exploring. If you’re looking for a dependable, empathetic sitter who treats children with care and respect, I’d love to connect.

“We loved her! She immediately engaged the kids, brought some activities for them, and emits warmth, caring, and fun. We will definitely have her again!”

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Katherine
Booked by 3 repeat families
6 reviews
$25 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 7 families in Washington, DC

Hi all! I’m Katherine and I am looking for occasional caregiving opportunities in the evenings and on weekends. I’ve been babysitting for over 10 years. I studied psychology at Villanova and have several years of experience working with children ages 0-12, including babysitting, lifeguarding and swim instruction, and early childhood research. While working on my masters, I worked for several families with multiple children of varying ages. My responsibilities included driving children to and from activities, meal preparation, swim supervision, and age-appropriate play activities.

“Katherine was wonderful to work with!”

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Nyeasha
Booked by 21 repeat families
19 reviews
$25 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 34 families in Washington, DC

Hi, My name is Nyeasha and I am a graduate of East Carolina University with a degree in English and a minor in Child Pedagogy. I have been in childcare since I was young. The ages of the children that I have taken care of range from infancy to 11 years. I currently work at a Law Firm during the day so my availability is limited to nights and weekends. I hope to hear from you soon :) -Nyeasha

“Nyeasha is so nice - our 4 year old was immediately comfortable with her and had a good time!”

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

  • Average hourly rate for 1 child: $23.33
  • Average hourly rate for 2 children: $28.01
  • Typical job length: 4.8 hours
  • Most requested times: Evening

As of October 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.

1,342 sitters background checked in Washington, DC

4.9 average star rating from total of 5,705 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 October 2026, the average babysitting rate in Washington is $23.33 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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