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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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311 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.
184 available today | Avg hourly rate: $23.33/hr

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

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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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Lucy 5 reviews
$20 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 1 family in Washington, DC

My name is Lucy and I work part-time for the education department of a local theater! I'm passionate about children's education, and studied psychology and English at the College of William and Mary. I love kids and have been babysitting since I was 12! I'm also a teacher-- I'm teaching a weekly theater class for toddlers this winter, and various summer camps for three different age groups during the summer. I have over 10 years of experience working with children to develop confidence, imagination, and verbal skills. I'm happy to help with household chores. I also love animals, though I hope you won't hold it against me that I'm a cat person!

“Lucy was an amazing sitter, both kind and willing to jump into whatever three-year-old nonsense came to mind. My daughter truly enjoyed having her visit -- high praise!”

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Jessica
Booked by 1 repeat family
2 reviews
$20 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 1 family in Washington, DC

Hello! My name is Jessica and I am a Midwest native who has happily made a home in Washington, DC for the last 14 years. I am a cat mom to a 4 year old cat Winnie and have grown up with family dogs since the age of 6. I am the youngest of three daughters and am a very lucky aunt to four nieces from the ages of 3-8 years old. I am very fortunate to be close with my family and to get to spend time caring and shaping my nieces. Outside of family, I have experience as a babysitter during all four years of my college experience at American University, ranging from afterschool care for 2+ kids to babysitting during evenings or weekends, assisting with meals, playtime, and homework. In addition, I often pet sit for friends and neighbors, helping with play time, getting in walks, feeding, and litter box cleaning. I would love to connect and see if I am the right fit to care for your kids or animals!

“Jessica was delightful! She arrived early, was pleasant and professional, and jumped right in with the kids. Definitely would recommend her!”

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

⸻ Hi! I just graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice. I’ve been babysitting on and off for the past seven years and love working with kids of all ages (and pets too!). I’m easygoing, funny, and always up for a good game, craft, or kitchen adventure. Cooking’s one of my favorite hobbies, and I can’t wait to explore DC! I’m all about creating a fun, safe, and positive environment wherever I go!

“I used Genevieve for household services. We were away from our house for 3 weeks and needed her to come twice a week to house sit - taking care of plants, bringing in the mail, etc. She followed the directions to a tee and even went above and beyond to think ahead such as accounting for extreme weather conditions. Genevieve had great communication throughout the entire duration. She was very dependable and someone you can definitely trust. I had a great experience overall and highly recommend her.”

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Drew
Booked by 2 repeat families
2 reviews
$25 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 3 families in Washington, DC

I have been caring for children for over 8 years now! I moved to DC from Texas where I babysat, led a middle school girls youth group and volunteered in the children’s ministry of a local nonprofit. I enjoy working with kids because their curiosity and energy keeps me on my toes and reminds me to look for the wonder in life! I value building relationships with every child I babysit and learning about their interests. I will read books, bake, facilitate outdoor games or step back and supervise if your kiddos prefer independent play! I am also happy to take on dishes, laundry, and other house work. I have worked with children ranging from newborns through middle school, and am comfortable with any age. I can also handle multiple at a time; a favorite group of friends I babysat for had 4 kids under 6 with an 8-month old — we had so much fun together! Fun facts: My favorite books from my childhood were Little House on the Prairie and Series of Unfortunate Events, and my favorite board game was Monopoly. Some nitty-gritty: I am vaccinated for COVID & other routine illnesses and I have been background checked through Urban Sitter. I love pets but do not to work in homes with pit bulls.

“Drew was so wonderful with our 5 year old son. She was immediately warm and great with him and came up with creative play ideas and ensured a smooth bedtime. We hope to work with Drew again! ”

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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: $28.05
  • Typical job length: 4.8 hours
  • Most requested times: Morning

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.

1,346 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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