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.

Looking for jobs? Apply here.

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

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

Profile photo
Alex
Booked by 2 repeat families
4 reviews
$20 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 5 families in Washington, DC

Hello, I am a 33 year old professional in the nonprofit sector. However, I have many years of experience working with kids. I have worked at YMCA afterschool programs, substitute teaching, as a professional, helped with remote learning, worked at summer camps as a counselor, and have facilitated college preparation workshops for children in grades 7-12. I have a Masters in Public Administration and a bachelors in Public Communication. In my free time, I enjoy exploring the city, being outside, running and hiking and trying new food! I work full-time during the week, so I am looking for some evenings and weekends.

Profile photo
Maria 3 reviews
$18 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 4 families in Washington, DC

Hello families! I am a new user of UrbanSitter so allow me introduce myself: My name is Maria, I am from Colombia, and I am studying biology on a pre-medical track! I have been in childcare since the age of 14 when I would help out at a family member’s daycare during the summer. Since then, I have worked with various families with children of all ages and needs as well as having been a camp counselor for 6th grade girls! I am a native Spanish speaker, love arts & crafts, going to the park, and cooking. I am also an EMT and CPR certified at the BLS level.

“Maria was great. She arrived on-time, played with the kids (3 of them), helped with their bedtime routine and as an added bonus cleaned the kitchen. I highly recommend Maria for your babysitting needs. ”

Profile photo
Caroline
Booked by 1 repeat family
2 reviews
$19 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 2 families in Washington, DC

Hello! My name is Caroline, I’m a 25 year old communications strategist, and I’d love to be your babysitter! Growing up as the oldest sister, I’ve been taking care of my younger siblings and cousins since middle school. I’ve babysat for numerous families over the years with kids ages 2 and up. I can also cook, clean, and help with homework. I love dogs and would be happy to walk your furbaby too! Please message if interested. Thank you!

“Caroline is GREAT, we can’t wait to have her back. Very flexible, responsible, reliable, kind, caring and fun. Thanks, Caroline! ”

Profile photo
Gabriela
Booked by 3 repeat families
4 reviews
$20 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 4 families in Washington, DC

Hello! I'm Gabriela! I've taken care of babies, kids and teenagers for more many years, all between the ages of 2 months old to 14 y/o. I have a degree in English Teaching; and back home (Mexico) I was a Spanish and English teacher in a primary school, high school and university for a few years. I consider myself a reliable, responsible, spontaneous, and emphatic person. I'd love to have the opportunity to talk with you to get to know each other better, and see if I have the chance to take care of your beautiful kid(s)! I'm fully vaccinated and always looking for the best way to stay healthy by following the covid prevention recommendations.

“Gabriela was wonderful. My wife was in town for a conference and brought our 12 year old daughter. The two days she was doing conference things, she hired Gabriela to take our daughter to see the sites in DC, and I guess the best review is that one day after my daughter returned home and I was saying goodnight she whispered to me "I already miss Gaby". They saw cool things that we didn't know about, had fun, rambled. Gabriella is a true good spirit, you can't go wrong.”

Profile photo
Reagan
Booked by 1 repeat family
1 review
$17 per hour for 1 child
Booked by 1 family in Washington, DC

Hi! I'm Reagan, a senior psychology major, sociology minor at Howard University, originally from the vibrant city of New Orleans, Louisiana. I'm excited to offer my services in child care, as well as taking care of your furry friends and helping out with basic household tasks. With seven years of babysitting experience under my belt, starting from the age of 13, I've confidently looked after groups of up to three children, all aged 12 and below. Growing up in a large family packed with little cousins, each with their own unique personalities and needs, has given me a solid foundation in providing nurturing and safe care. I've also had the pleasure of serving as a camp counselor for various summer programs, catering to children aged 8 to 15. My passion for working with children shines through in my dedication to studying psychology, with a particular interest in understanding and supporting young minds. Babysitting not only brings me joy but also provides valuable hands-on experience that aligns perfectly with my career aspirations! Please note that I'll be traveling to and from all babysitting gigs using walking or public transportation. Thank you for considering me for this opportunity! Looking forward to meeting you and your little ones soon!

“Reagan was prompt, open to direction about the kids bedtime routines, and had them both in bed when we got home. I would definitely recommend her, and will be using her again!”

Live near a college or university? View babysitters by college

Children playing together

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 5,707 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.

More ways to find care near Washington

As seen on