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Special Needs Babysitters Santa Maria, CA (Contact for Free)

Find the right babysitter who has experience with the special needs of your child. We have members who specialize in autism, Down syndrome, dyslexia, food allergies, diabetes, asthma, and much more. See our Pay Rates.

Show all babysitters in Santa Maria


Tricia Gumbs

Tricia Gumbs
Santa Maria, CA

Activity summary

Member since: Sep 2025

Behavior Technician looking to gain more babysitting Experience!

Hi! My name is Tricia Gumbs, and I am 24. I moved to Santa Maria 2 years ago for a fresh start. I work as a Classroom Behavior Tech, and I'm passionate about public health science. I am in the process of continuing my bachelor's degree sometime in 2026-2027 at Southern New Hampshire University! I have a lot of experience house sitting, working with/babysitting kids ( 8-14) who have disabilities, and those who don't.

Special Needs Babysitter, Babysitter, Parent helper, Nanny $18/hour

Child ages I'm comfortable caring for:

  • Small school kids (5 - 8 years)
  • Tweens (9 - 12 years)
  • Teenagers (13+ years)
  • Up to 2 children at once

Childcare duties I can do:

  • Light meals
  • Bottle feeding
  • Supervising swimming / water play
  • Preparing kids for bed / sleep routines
  • After school care

I'm available for events

  • Special event babysitting

I can provide special needs care

  • Care for special needs kids
    • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Household duties I can do:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry / washing

Dog sitting $15 / hour

Pets I'm comfortable caring for:

  • Dogs

Other dog duties I can do:

  • Dog playtime
  • Daily exercise for your dog

Dog walking $18 / hour

  • Small dogs (0—22lbs / 0—10kg)
  • Medium dogs (22—44lbs / 10—20kg)
  • Large dogs (44—88lbs / 20—40kg)

Other pet services I can provide

  • Pet checker (home visits to check on dogs)

I can do house sitting

  • House sitting
    • Collecting mail / packages
    • Watering plants
    • Taking trash bins in / out
    • Rotating lights / blinds (for a 'lived-in' look)
    • Basic house security checks

Other services I can provide

  • Cleaning
  • Elderly care / companionship

My availability

I'm looking for Casual/temporary, Full-time employment.

I can travel to neighboring suburbs/towns of Santa Maria for work.

Here's my weekly availability:

M T W T F S S

Morn

✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ -

Day

✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ -

Arvo

✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ -

Eve.

✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ -

Nite

✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ -

I'm available for:

  • Last minute bookings
  • School holidays
  • Public holidays
  • New Year's Eve
  • Valentine's Day
  • Overnight jobs
  • Full weekends
  • Vacations with the family
  • Live-in with the family

My credentials

I'm happy to provide written documentation of my qualifications and credentials:

  • 4 years experience working with children
    • CPR training
  • 3 months experience working with pets
    • I'm comfortable with pets
    • I have pets
  • General credentials:
    • Email verified
    • 24 years old
    • Police check
    • Non-smoker / non-vaper
    • Permanent resident
    • Covid vaccinated
    • Languages I can speak: English

I have babysat for 2 years and have 4 years of experience working as a Classroom Behavior Tech.

My skills and interests:

  • Reading / storytelling
  • Drawing / painting
  • Arts / crafts
  • Games
  • Nature

You can learn more about me by browsing my social accounts:

Contact Tricia For Free

Your job requirements will be sent with your message.

Select the services you need:

Childcare

How many kids need care?

Pet sitting

Other pet services you need:

Dog walking

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Yaretzy Navarro

Yaretzy Navarro
Santa Maria, CA

Activity summary

Member since: Sep 2025

Hiii! My names Yaretzy and I’m here for any of your childcare and or pet care needs:)

I am a 21 year old diabteic. I have worked as a paraprofessional for 3 years with kids in Elementary school. I live in Santa Maria, CA, with my family and two nieces who I am extremely close with.

Special Needs Babysitter, Babysitter, Nanny $21/hour

Child ages I'm comfortable caring for:

  • Toddlers (1 - 2 years)
  • Preschoolers (3 - 4 years)
  • Small school kids (5 - 8 years)
  • Up to 2 children at once

Childcare duties I can do:

  • Light meals
  • Bottle feeding
  • Toilet training
  • Changing diapers
  • Bathing kids
  • Preparing kids for bed / sleep routines
  • Care for sick children
  • Care for twins/multiples

I'm available for events

  • Special event babysitting

I can provide special needs care

  • Care for special needs kids
    • Diabetes
    • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
    • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Household duties I can do:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry / washing

Pet sitting $18 / hour

Pets I'm comfortable caring for:

  • Dogs
  • Cats
  • Small animals (rabbits, ferrets, etc.)

Other pet duties I can do:

  • Feeding
  • Pet playtime
  • Care for puppies
  • Care for senior dogs
  • Care for kittens
  • Care for senior cats

Dog walking $18 / hour

  • Small dogs (0—22lbs / 0—10kg)
  • Medium dogs (22—44lbs / 10—20kg)
  • Large dogs (44—88lbs / 20—40kg)

Other pet services I can provide

  • Pet checker (home visits to check on pets)

I can do house sitting

  • House sitting
    • Watering plants
    • Taking trash bins in / out
    • Basic house security checks

My availability

I'm looking for Part-time, Full-time employment.

I can travel to neighboring suburbs/towns of Santa Maria for work.

Here's my weekly availability:

M T W T F S S

Morn

✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ -

Day

✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ -

Arvo

✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ -

Eve.

✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ -

Nite

✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ -

I'm available for:

  • Last minute bookings
  • School holidays
  • Public holidays

My credentials

I'm happy to provide written documentation of my qualifications and credentials:

  • 3 years experience working with children
    • CPR training
  • 3 years experience working with pets
    • I'm comfortable with pets
    • I have pets
    • Have a pet carrier
  • General credentials:
    • Email verified
    • 21 years old
    • Permanent resident
    • Languages I can speak: English and Spanish

I have been working as a paraprofessional for almost 3 years since Dec. of 2023. I have been CPR certified but if it’s expired I will do it again.

My skills and interests:

  • Music
  • Reading / storytelling
  • Games
  • Animals
  • Cooking

Contact Yaretzy For Free

Your job requirements will be sent with your message.

Select the services you need:

Childcare

How many kids need care?

Pet sitting

Other pet services you need:

Dog walking

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Ava

Ava
Lompoc, CA

Activity summary

Member since: Nov 2022

Welcome message:

My name is Ava or I also go by Quinn (he/they), I am an 20-year-old from Lompoc, California. I’ve always been fond of taking care of children, so when I found out that I could sign up to be a babysitter that was some thing I was immediately was drawn to.

Special Needs Babysitter, Babysitter, Parent helper $20/hour

Child ages I'm comfortable caring for:

  • Small school kids (5 - 8 years)
  • Tweens (9 - 12 years)
  • Teenagers (13+ years)
  • Up to 3 children at once

Childcare duties I can do:

  • Light meals
  • Full meals
  • Bottle feeding
  • Changing diapers
  • Bathing kids
  • Help with homework
  • Care for twins/multiples

I can provide special needs care

  • Care for special needs kids

Household duties I can do:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry / washing

I can do tutoring

  • Tutoring

Pet sitting $20 / hour

Pets I'm comfortable caring for:

  • Dogs
  • Cats
  • Birds
  • Fish
  • Reptiles
  • Small animals (rabbits, ferrets, etc.)

Other pet duties I can do:

  • Medical injections
  • Feeding
  • Daily exercise for your pet
  • Care for puppies
  • Care for senior dogs
  • Care for kittens
  • Care for senior cats

Dog walking $20 / hour

  • Small dogs (0—22lbs / 0—10kg)
  • Medium dogs (22—44lbs / 10—20kg)
  • Large dogs (44—88lbs / 20—40kg)
  • Giant dogs (+88lbs / +40kg)

Other pet services I can provide

  • Pet checker (home visits to check on pets)

I can do house sitting

  • House sitting

Other services I can provide

  • Yard work
  • Cleaning

My availability

I'm looking for Casual/temporary, Part-time employment.

I can travel a few suburbs/towns away from Lompoc for work.

Here's my weekly availability:

M T W T F S S

Morn

✓ ✓ - - ✓ - -

Day

✓ ✓ - - ✓ - -

Arvo

✓ - - - - - -

Eve.

✓ - - - - - -

Nite

✓ - - - - - -

I'm available for:

  • Last minute bookings
  • School holidays
  • Public holidays
  • New Year's Eve
  • Valentine's Day
  • Overnight jobs
  • Full weekends

My credentials

I'm happy to provide written documentation of my qualifications and credentials:

  • Childcare credentials:
    • I carry a first aid kit
  • Pet credentials:
    • I'm comfortable with pets
    • I have pets
    • Have a pet carrier
  • General credentials:
    • Email verified
    • 21 years old
    • Police check
    • Non-smoker / non-vaper
    • Permanent resident
    • Covid vaccinated
    • Languages I can speak: English

I always ensure a safe environment, preparing and giving meals, bathing and dressing children, administering medicine, doing housework, and disciplining children when necessary.

I work as a chef at a hotel in Lompoc and am very happy to be considered to help watch your children or pets! Because I have a permanent job, babysitting will be my part time job.

My costs are $18 and up for an hour so I am within your price range. Contact me and let me know if you're interested! Please let me know how long you need the service :)

My skills and interests:

  • Music
  • Singing
  • Comedy
  • Reading / storytelling
  • Drawing / painting
  • Arts / crafts
  • Sports
  • Fitness
  • Swimming
  • Nature
  • Gardening
  • Cooking
  • Design
  • Computers
  • Writing

You can learn more about me by browsing my social accounts:

Contact Ava For Free

Your job requirements will be sent with your message.

Select the services you need:

Childcare

How many kids need care?

Pet sitting

Other pet services you need:

Dog walking

Powered by Google

(remains private)


Select the Services You Need

Do you need childcare services?

How many kids need care?

Do you need pet sitting services?

Other pet services you need:

Do you need dog walking services?

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Babysitting Pay Rates Santa Maria, CA, United States (Updated 29 Sep 2025)

Santa Maria babysitters are paid an average of $24.48 per hour as of October 2025, which is 17.7% higher than the Californian average of $20.79, and 33% higher than the United States average of $18.40. A fair pay rate depends on babysitter credentials, specific job requirements, and local demand for babysitting services in Santa Maria.
1 Kid 2 Kids 3+ Kids
Santa Maria:
$22.25 $24.48 $26.70
California:
$18.90 $20.79 $22.68
United States:
$16.73 $18.40 $20.08

Rates are calculated weekly from our live member data. Prices are shown in United States dollars (USD). If you republish our rates please credit kidsit.com 😊

Don't know how much to pay? See our parents' guide to babysitting pay rates


Special Needs Care Our Babysitters Can Offer

Find a babysitter who has the right skills that match the special needs of your child. Our babysitters can offer care for the following conditions:

  • Food allergies
  • Diabetes
  • Asthma
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
  • Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) / Conduct Disorder (CD)
  • Anxiety disorder
  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
  • Down syndrome
  • Intellectual disabilities
  • Deaf / hard of hearing
  • Visual impairments
  • Sleep disorders

Top 10 Tips For Hiring A Special Needs Babysitter

Follow these handy tips for hiring a special needs babysitter so you can feel confident your child will be safe, supported, and happy.

1. Look for relevant experience

Choose babysitters who have worked with children with similar diagnoses, behaviors, or medical needs.

2. Check training and certifications

Ask about CPR, first aid, and any specialized training (e.g., administering medication, ABA therapy, seizure response).

3. Ask detailed questions

Discuss how they would handle meltdowns, medical emergencies, or communication challenges.

4. Request references

Speak to families of children with special needs they’ve cared for before.

5. Arrange a meet-and-greet

Observe how they interact with your child and whether they connect in a patient, caring way.

6. Be clear about routines

Provide written instructions for meals, bedtime, medications, and calming strategies.

7. Communicate about triggers and supports

Share sensory sensitivities, behavioral strategies, and comfort items.

8. Confirm reliability

Ensure they can commit to consistent care and handle unexpected situations calmly.

9. Start with short sessions

Begin with trial sittings so your child and babysitter can build trust gradually.

10. Trust your instincts

Choose someone who shows genuine empathy, patience, and respect for your child’s individuality.

Special Needs Babysitter Interview Questions

Ask the following questions when interviewing special needs babysitter candidates to help you find someone who’s skilled, patient, and the right fit for your child.

Experience & Background

  • What experience do you have caring for children with special needs?
  • Have you worked with children who have [your child’s specific condition, e.g., autism, ADHD, Down syndrome, epilepsy]?
  • How do you adapt your caregiving style to different needs and abilities?
  • Can you share an example of a challenging situation you faced and how you handled it?

Skills & Training

  • Are you certified in CPR and first aid?
  • Have you had training in behavior management, sensory support, or therapies (ABA, speech, occupational)?
  • Are you comfortable assisting with mobility equipment, feeding tubes, or other medical supports?
  • Are you willing to learn specific care techniques unique to my child?

Communication

  • How do you communicate with children who use alternative methods (signs, devices, gestures)?
  • How do you handle situations where a child has difficulty expressing their needs or emotions?
  • How do you communicate updates and concerns with parents?

Safety & Emergency Preparedness

  • How would you handle a medical emergency, seizure, or allergic reaction?
  • Are you comfortable administering medication, if needed?
  • How do you ensure safety during outings, play, or transitions?

Routines & Behavior

  • How do you approach meltdowns, overstimulation, or behavioral challenges?
  • Are you comfortable following strict routines, or do you prefer flexibility?
  • How do you encourage independence while keeping the child safe?

Personality & Fit

  • What do you enjoy most about working with children with special needs?
  • What qualities make you a good fit for our family and our child?
  • How do you stay patient and positive in stressful situations?