Emergency & last-minute care

When plans change,
help can too.

A late meeting, a cancelled caregiver, a daycare closing early. Post a short-notice job on CareFinder and sitters who are available right now apply to you — every one interviewed and insured. Same-day care is never guaranteed, but here's how to make it likely.

Post a last-minute job Registration is free. Clearly posted jobs get faster replies from available sitters.

Trusted since 2013Over 50,000 sittings for more than 6,000 families.

Every sitter interviewedOver 1,000 sitters individually screened since 2013.

Insured up to ¥500 millionSompo Japan liability insurance on every booked sitting.

Rated 4.9 / 5 by familiesSitters with roots in more than 60 countries and regions.

Make same-day care likely

Four things that get you a sitter faster

Sitters see your job the moment you post it. The clearer and more flexible it is, the quicker someone says yes.

Post immediately, with details

Exact times, your area, your child's age and any languages — sitters can say yes without a back-and-forth.

Message several sitters

Don't wait on one reply. Contact a few sitters whose profiles show recent activity and your area.

Be flexible where you can

A slightly earlier start or a nearby meeting point widens the pool of sitters who can make it.

Have essentials ready

Address, contacts, allergies and routines written down, so the sitter can start the moment they arrive.

Pricing

Clear rates, agreed before you book

Each sitter's profile shows their hourly rate. Even at short notice, you confirm the price with your sitter before booking.

No emergency surcharge from CareFinder

Rates are set per sitter and shown on their profile — confirm before booking
Some sitters may quote a higher rate for very short notice; it's always agreed up front
Transportation for the sitter is covered at actual cost

Two simple plans

Free plan: ¥0 per month, with a 22% (tax incl.) fee per sitting — good for trying it out or occasional bookings.
Subscription plan: ¥3,278/month (tax incl.), with the fee reduced to 11% (tax incl.) — better value once sittings become regular.
You can switch plans anytime. The sitter's transportation costs are covered by the family at actual cost.

How it works

From sign-up to your first booking

Register for free

It takes a few minutes, and registration alone costs nothing.

Post your job

Enter dates, area, your children's ages and preferences. Sitters who match apply, and you compare profiles and reviews.

Choose a plan

After seeing who applied, pick the plan that fits how often you'll book. You can change it later.

Agree terms & book

Discuss the details and rate with your sitter — interview first if you like — then book once you both agree.

See the full step-by-step process on our How it works page →

CareFinder sitter and a young girl smiling at each other at a table

CareFinder sitters

Vetted before the day
you need them

Interviewed one by one. Since 2013 our team has individually screened over 1,000 applicants — so a short-notice sitter is still a vetted sitter.
Reviews from real families. Over 50,000 sittings behind the reviews you'll read on each profile.
Insured, every time. Sompo Japan liability insurance up to ¥500 million covers every sitting booked through CareFinder.
Set up today, ready tomorrow. Families who register and complete their profile in advance book last-minute care far more smoothly.

What parents say

From families who booked through CareFinder

Reviews left by parents through CareFinder's review system after their sittings.

My child absolutely loves spending time with her and looks forward to seeing her every week. She always comes home smiling and excited to share what they did together.

★★★★★— Atsuko

She helped me pick up my 2-year-old daughter at daycare and took care of her during my work.

★★★★★— Ruka

She takes my 7-year-old son swimming to the local pool every week. They have a blast, and she is unphased by his 7-year-old antics.

★★★★★— Melissa

FAQ

Last-minute care FAQ

Can I get a babysitter today?

Often, but it's never guaranteed — it depends on which sitters are free in your area. Posting immediately with clear details and messaging several available sitters gives you the best chance.

What should I include in an urgent job post?

Exact start and end times, your location, your children's ages, languages needed, and anything a sitter must know (allergies, pickup locations). Complete posts get faster yeses.

What if my regular sitter cancels?

Post a new job right away and message sitters you've saved or worked with before. Keeping a shortlist of two or three trusted sitters is the best insurance against last-minute gaps.

What if our plans change?

Cancellation is free until 48 hours before the sitting starts. Between 48 and 24 hours, 50% of the sitting fee applies, and within 24 hours, 100%. The same policy applies to every sitter, so there are no surprises.

How are sitters vetted?

Every applicant is interviewed individually — identity, background, experience and qualifications are checked, and only those who pass our internal screening join CareFinder. For sitters caring for infants and toddlers, we also confirm the municipal notifications required by law.

Is there insurance during sittings?

Yes. Sittings booked through CareFinder are covered by Sompo Japan liability insurance, with coverage up to ¥500 million.

When plans change,help can too.