Meet super talented virtual babysitters

virtual_sittingVirtual babysitting opens up a world of exciting possibilities for kids to take yoga lessons, drawing classes, and even get homeschool help—all from the safety of home, while their parents get tasks done or work from home.

And, since virtual babysitting takes place over video chat, parents can hire sitters who live anywhere in the country, so they can book the best of the best. To book a virtual babysitter, hire one of the sitters below or post a job on UrbanSitter (Hint: Set your address to any major city for the biggest selection of sitters!). And, be sure to book jobs in your sitter’s local timezone.

Here are a few super talented babysitters ready to engage and entertain kids with a virtual babysitting session!

Singing & Music

Mirella
Singing, reading, homeschooling, teaching Spanish
110 Reviews | 102 Repeat families

Mae
Singing, reading, acting out stories, finger play
32 Reviews | 23 Repeat families

Shernaleria
Singing, reading stories, learning the alphabet and counting
42 Reviews | 45 Repeat families

Danelle
Singing, reading, telling jokes, teaching knitting
28 Reviews | 26 Repeat families

Gerri
Singing, storytelling/reading, science experiments, crafts, cooking, tutoring
16 Reviews | 1 Repeat family

Sheena
Singing, reading
36 Reviews | 24 Repeat families

Ashlyn
Singing, teaching piano
11 Reviews | 9 Repeat families

Marizza
Singing, story time, helping with schoolwork
11 Reviews | 8 Repeat families

Monique
Singing, reading, helping with homework
6 Reviews | 2 Repeat families

Tamara
Singing, doing flash cards
7 Reviews | 8 Repeat families

Yoga & Dance

Caroline
Yoga, teaching violin
18 Reviews | 17 Repeat families

Leigh
Dance parties, yoga, reading, help with homework
7 Reviews | 8 Repeat families

Kelly
Ballet, choreography, coloring, drawing, origami
62 Reviews | 60 Repeat families

Sarah
Yoga, children’s games
18 Reviews | 16 Repeat families

Zara
Dancing, yoga, reading, home schooling
21 Reviews | 15 Repeat families

Blanca
Exercising, Spanish language, meditation
19 Reviews | 9 Repeat families

Leslie
Yoga, teaching art, reading, homeschooling
18 Reviews | 8 Repeat families

Daphne
Dance, yoga, story time, singing
18 Reviews | 8 Repeat families

Deserae
Yoga, homeschooling
6 Reviews | 2 Repeat families

Amy
Yoga, cooking, music
7 Reviews | 4 Repeat families

Homeschool & Tutoring

Fiorella
Homeschooling (elementary), tutoring, reading, stretching exercises
45 Reviews | 35 Repeat families

Rasa
Homeschooling, tutoring, teaching Dutch
50 Reviews | 51 Repeat families

Sarah
Homeschooling (preschool, elementary), reading stories
23 Reviews | 14 Repeat families

Emily
Homeschooling, reading stories, playing games
17 Reviews | 15 Repeat families

Laura
Homeschooling (elementary)
6 Reviews | 3 Repeat families

Ingrisds
Tutoring in phonics, elementary math, elementary science, middle and high school writing, biology, algebra, geometry, trigonometry
7 Reviews

Paige
Homeschooling, reading stories
6 Reviews | 3 Repeat families

Sarah
Tutoring in math
13 Reviews | 6 Repeat families

Reading & Storytime

Brunna
Reading stories, playing games, creating stories together
37 Reviews | 21 Repeat families

Laura
Reading, art, science projects
30 Reviews | 20 Repeat families

Feiben
Reading, storytime
9 Reviews | 5 Repeat families

Haley
Reading
9 Reviews | 6 Repeat families

Leah
Reading stories, dance parties, I spy
9 Reviews | 7 Repeat families

Sil
Telling stories, puzzles, teaching meditation, drawing together
8 Reviews | 9 Repeat families

Sandra
Reading stories, practicing ABC’s, math, science, art
6 Reviews | 6 Repeat families

Catalina
Reading stories, Spanish language
6 Reviews | 5 Repeat families

Tykisha
Teaching
18 Reviews | 17 Repeat families

Barbara
Homework help (K-4th grade)
13 Reviews | 26 Repeat families

For the latest updates on UrbanSitter COVID-19 childcare, please visit our FAQ: Coronavirus Precautions and Resources.

COVID-19’s impact on babysitters and caregivers

infant playing

Wondering how babysitters and nannies are being impacted by shelter-in-place and social distancing restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic? In April 2020, we surveyed more than 600 UrbanSitter sitters and nannies and here’s what they had to say:

Income struggle

  • Sitters & nannies reported an average of an 84% drop in babysitting business since COVID-19.
  • 15% of sitters and nannies are supplementing their income by working in food delivery, finding online work such as teaching, tutoring and virtual babysitting, or by filing for unemployment.

Eager for work

  • 68% are willing to work for parents who are “essential workers” in fields such as healthcare, grocery and government.
  • 20% would move in and “shelter-in-place” with a family and another 24% said they might consider it.
  • 90% would also commit to working with just one family if enough hours were guaranteed. 45% of those sitters said they’d want more than 20 hours of work per week guaranteed.

Virtual babysitting

  • 74% of sitters are interested in “virtual babysitting” jobs to entertain kids for limited periods of time over video chat, while a parent is at home but working or occupied with other tasks.
  • Of these sitters, 57% would charge their normal babysitting hourly rate, while 32% would charge less, and 11% would charge more than their normal rate.
  • 89% have a special talent that would engage kids virtually. Top talents include reading stories, singing, teaching yoga, helping with homeschooling/tutoring, teaching a foreign language and dancing.

Looking to hire a virtual or in-person babysitter or nanny during COVID-19? UrbanSitter is open for business.

How to Help Your Family Fight Flu Season

It’s that time of year when it seems nearly impossible to steer our families clear from aches, pains and sniffles, especially when we’re often surrounded by people coughing, sneezing and wiping runny noses. Following these tips for good health will help to give you and your family a fighting chance against pesky bugs and the seasonal flu this winter.

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Help Your Family Fight Flu Season

  • It’s not too late – get vaccinated. According to the Center of Disease Control, the flu season in the United States typically peaks in January and can last as late as May. Since it takes about two weeks after you receive the vaccination for antibodies to develop in your body and start protecting against the virus, do not delay. Everyone who is at least 6 months of age should get a flu vaccine this season. It’s the single best way to stay healthy.
  • Wash your hands frequently. Don’t let recent studies about the effectiveness and possible dangers of antibacterial soap turn your family lax on washing hands. Stick with soap and water or an all-natural sanitizer, such as the ones by Clean Well which use thyme rather than harsh and potentially dangerous chemicals. Germs are spread by droplets from infected people when they sneeze, blow their nose, or wipe their nose or eyes. Remind your kids to keep their hands out of their mouths and avoid rubbing their eyes, in addition to washing their hands thoroughly several times a day. Also, remember to clean your baby’s hands often.
  • Stay home when you are sick. Going about your normal business while you are sick is a double whammy. You’re expending energy your body could be using to fight infection. In addition, being out in the world spreads infection to others. Do yourself and everyone else a favor and stay home for a little TLC. The same goes for your kids. Keep them home from school and daycare when they’re under the weather.
  • Don’t skimp on sleep. It’s often the best medicine, as it allows our bodies to recover and it strengthens our immune systems. Experts recommend 14 to 15 hours of sleep per day for infants, 12 to 14 for toddlers, 11 to 13 for preschoolers and 10 to 11 for school-age kids.
  • Make time for exercise and increase your overall physical activity, regardless of the weather. It’s natural to want to wrap ourselves in blankets and retreat to the couch when it’s blustery outside. Fight the urge. Bundle up the kids and get everyone outside for a walk or sled riding, or find indoor activities to keep everyone moving.
  • Drink up. Dry winter air, indoor and out, can dry out the lining of your nasal passages, creating tiny cracks that make you susceptible to infection. Drinking water can help moisten those membranes, so keep your water bottle handy and make sure to fill your children’s often, too.
  • Eat well. This time of year, especially, make sure your diet includes a hefty dose of Vitamin C and E, vitamins credited with boosting immunity. Also make sure your family steers clear of excess sugar, as it impairs the body’s ability to fight infection. Time to create some new nutritious family staples for you and yours? Check out our Pinterest board – Easy, Kid-Friendly Dinners for Busy Parents for delicious, healthy recipes to feed your family.
  • Have a back-up childcare plan. Realistically, chances are pretty good that either you or your child will need a sick day sometime this winter. Whether your child gets sick and can’t attend daycare or school or your in-home babysitter or nanny calls in sick, you’ll need a good childcare network and a back-up childcare plan. Whether it’s a helpful neighbor, a nearby family member or your UrbanSitter network of sitters, know where you’re going to turn if your normal childcare routine goes haywire. It will save you from undue stress and last minute juggling.
  • Know when to call the doctor. The flu can be dangerous, especially to young children. Remember that cold and flu symptoms are often the same and easily confused, though they are much worse with the flu. Watch for symptoms, including high fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, fatigue, vomiting and diarrhea that don’t improve after 24 hours and often increase in severity.

With a little prevention, planning and a commitment to a healthy lifestyle, you’ll be helping your family stay healthy and happy this flu season and well beyond.

Find last-minute babysitters who care for sick children at UrbanSitter.