Find experienced child care providers in Columbia, IL
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Average rate is $22.87/hr
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Heidi M.
- 35 years paid experience
- 8 miles
TEMPORARY, FULL-TIME AVAILABILTY (might extend), PLEASE CONTACT. CURRENT AVAILABILTY APRIL 10 - JUNE 16. Maybe you are looking for fill-in childcare while looking for someone long-term OR just need random dates. My background check was renewed March 10, 2026. Hello! My name is Heidi, I am 51 years old and have 35 years experience working with children of all ages and abilities. I am kind, patient, have great time management and organizational skills, and above all else, love and adore children. My mother owned and operated an in-home daycare service in our home for 20 years throughout my K-12 years. During college I worked at Martha Rounds Academy for Children (now Elaine Rosi Academy) in Brentwood in the Newborn/Infant room as a care provider for 4 infants in a room of 16 infants and 4 care providers. I was a substitute teacher (all grades) for 7 years for the Lindbergh, Bayless, and Windsor School Districts from 2000-2007. I was an independent contractor for TLC for Kids, a babysitter/nanny placement service, from 2014-2018 working for 230 families!! In 2015-2016 I was a Nanny and Estate Manager for a family in Clayton 60 hours/week taking care of their entire estate and their 2 boys, including traveling solo with the boys and stepchildren all over the country and Australia. I have since worked for clients on other platforms and clients from my time at TLC for Kids (now TLC Family Care) I love to do puzzles, arts and crafts, dance, take walks, play sports, read books, bake cookies, imaginative play, play board games, spend time outside...whatever the kids want to do. With babies I am 100% interactive...singing, talking, tummy time, reading, etc., immersing the child into their surroundings. I can help with and supervise virtual learning, homework, and transport children to/from school and other places such as the local park or zoo. I am comfortable with cameras throughout the house and all pets. Flu and Covid-19 and Tdap Vaccinations are current. I have full coverage car insurance at maximum limits. 4 HOUR MINIMUM. $22/hr for one child. An additional $1/hr per additional child. I look forward to hearing from you!
$22–25/hr
Recent review:
5.0
Ihab H.
She was amazing with our 3 month old. She was comfortable with addressing all of his needs and through her entire stay made sure she gave him full attention and engagement which he loved. We came back to a very happy baby, will definitely continue to work with Heidi she is great!
Kelsey W.
- 7 years paid experience
- 10 miles
Hi! I'm Kelsey. I'm a pediatric respiratory therapist & Court Appointed Special Advocate for children here in St. Louis County. I absolutely love children & have nannied for 6 years. I'm CPR/BLS/ACLS certified! I find joy in watching children learn and grow, especially if I can be apart of their journey. With a strong background in healthcare at a level 1 trauma center, your children are safe with me!
$20–30/hr
Recent review:
5.0
Kirby M.
Great to work with!
Carolina L.
- 5 years paid experience
- 14 miles
✨ Reliable, Experienced & Caring Babysitter ✨ Hi! My name is Carolina. I have 5+ years of childcare experience with babies as young as 3 months old through age 10. I also volunteered in a daycare and worked as an Au Pair in the U.S. for two years providing full-time childcare. • Patient, loving, and attentive • Infant & toddler experienced • Responsible and organized • Bilingual: English & Spanish • Safe driver with my own car • Excellent references available I truly enjoy helping children learn, grow, and feel safe. I’d love to connect with your family!
$20–28/hr
Recent review:
5.0
Lindsay S.
Working with Carolina was fantastic! We were booking a sitter from out of town and she was communicative and fast to respond, which made coordinating things very easy. She was also very professional and great with our kid; She clearly has a lot of experience. She seemed comfortable as soon as she arrived and immediately started interacting with him, which helped us to leave without any issues. She was a pleasure to work with, and I would definitely book her again.
Erin M.
- 20 years paid experience
- 11 miles
Hi there! I’m Erin, a 35-year-old with a passion for working with children. I’m currently seeking part-time opportunities but am open to full-time work as well. Over the years, I’ve worn a few hats, from nannying to teaching outdoors at Whole Child Montessori School in Portland, and even working as a rock climbing instructor. With a background in English from the University of Missouri - Columbia, I also bring a love for learning and creativity to everything I do. In my free time, you can usually find me climbing, running, or exploring the outdoors on hikes. Adventure and activity are a big part of my life, and I love bringing that spirit to my work with children. My approach is all about empowering kids to make safe, informed decisions while offering plenty of positive reinforcement and compassion. I always make sure to keep things light with a sense of humor and embrace their unique personalities—there’s nothing quite like seeing kids shine in their own goofy ways! With over ten years of experience caring for infants through to older kids, I’m well-equipped for the energy and excitement that comes with the job. Coming from a big family myself, I know how to keep up with the lively atmosphere that kids bring. I especially enjoy encouraging imaginative play, getting outside for adventures, and diving into a good story together. I’m fully vaccinated and boosted. I’d love the chance to connect with you and your family! Warmly, Erin
$30–40/hr
Recent review:
5.0
Leah P.
Erin is a great fit for our family - professional, attentive, and an intuitive caregiver to our three boys!
Olive M.
- 7 years paid experience
- 15 miles
Hi! My name is Olive, and I have several years of experience caring for children of all ages through nanying, regular babysitting, transportation help, and camp counseling. I currently work for multiple families on both a regular and occasional basis, helping with school pickups and drop-offs, after-school care, playtime, meals, routines, and keeping kids engaged in a safe and supportive environment. I previously worked as a nanny for a family of five, caring for three children ages 3-7, where I was heavily involved in daily routines, activities, meals, outings, and family trips. I've served as a junior camp counselor at Central Studio, helping young campers engage in creative activities while ensuring a fun and structured environment. Beyond childcare, I have experience in customer service and team leadership, working at Oberweis Dairy and as a manager at Snarf's Sandwiches. These roles have strengthened my responsibility, patience, and multitasking skills, which I bring to every babysitting job. I love working with kids, whether it's through creative play, outdoor activities, or helping with homework. Looking forward to meeting your family! - Olive
$16–25/hr
Recent review:
5.0
Julianna W.
the most amazing babysitter we've every used! realiable, thoughtful, and great with my kid. 10/5 stars!!
Zaria W.
- 8 years paid experience
- 14 miles
Hi there! My name is Zaria and I’m a childcare professional with over eight years of experience working with children of all ages, from infants to teens. My background includes working as a professional babysitter, full-time nanny, and Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), giving me the skills to support children of all ages and a wide range of personalities and learning styles. I’ve had the joy of caring for children in home and classroom settings, including those with special needs. My time as an RBT gave me valuable experience supporting children with developmental, behavioral, and sensory differences, and it taught me how to create a calm, safe, and positive environment for every child. I approach each day with patience, empathy, and creativity, meeting kids where they are and helping them thrive in their own unique ways. I believe that every child deserves to feel seen, heard, and supported, and I work intentionally to provide a nurturing and inclusive environment. My caregiving philosophy centers on intentional and mindful interactions that help to build trust through empathy, active listening, and positive reinforcement. I believe kids do best when they feel safe, heard, and understood. I also love helping families feel confident that their children are in caring, capable hands. I’ve taken coursework in Child Development, Child Psychology, and Applied Behavior Analysis, which gives me a strong foundation in how children think, learn, and grow. When I’m not working, you can usually find me cooking, reading, writing, singing, or painting. I love bringing those hobbies into my childcare time, whether it’s through baking cookies together, singing songs, or making creative art projects. Overall, I’m passionate about helping children grow into their best selves and I look forward to partnering with families who value intentional, compassionate care.
$20–28/hr
Charlyne H.
- 27 years paid experience
- 8 miles
Hello , pet care is an additional fee. Please allow one or two days in advance for childcare. I would like to discuss your childcare needs and meet before services are needed. Thank you. ** I am sensitive to the thoughts, feelings, and needs of others. Comfortable with self and other’s emotional expression. Ability to communicate with and maintain a welcoming and constructive relationship with children and adults. Patient, nurturing, flexible and dedicated; willing to take responsibility and initiative, able to see the individuality and strengths in every child. Ability to accept direction and coaching in a constructive manner, able to learn about self and how it impacts my teaching style and willing to learn and change when necessary.
$16–18/hr
Recent review:
5.0
Jung Hyun L.
Charlyne is truly exceptional in every way. She demonstrated a caring attitude toward my child, and her responsible and attentive nature gave us peace of mind. She is an engaging and fun person who made my child feel so comfortable.
Selgai M.
- 6 years paid experience
- 11 miles
I love kids and animals and I’m very good with interacting with them. I have nannied for many families that have infants and toddlers that range from ages 4 months to 4 years old. I’ve also babysitted for families over the past four years throughout stl city and county and the kids ages range from 5-13 years old. I can cook and meal prep if needed, I can also wash dishes or do laundry for an addition raise.
$20–30/hr
Samantha S.
- 7 years paid experience
- 12 miles
Hello! My name is Samantha! I currently work as a CPR certified personal trainer with a Bachelor's in Foods and Nutrition from SDSU. Despite my current field in health and nutrition, I have worked with kids since i before I was 13 years old. Most of my experience has been volunteer through my churches, but I also have years worth of babysitting experiencing kids of different ages. I also have experience as a tutor. When I was in junior high, I used to help out with the preschool and toddler classes at church. By the time I was 13, I was a teacher for the preschool class. I did this for five years, and I often babysat for the kids in my class as well. It broke my heart to say goodbye to all of my students when I moved to San Diego to pursue a degree in nutrition. After moving to San Diego, I spent a couple of years working in the 2 year old class at my church. I had to stop when the church closed down. The last couple years have been focused entirely on my degree. However, I really miss working with kids. I enjoys making up fun games to play and listening to their crazy made up stories. I know how hard it can be to pick a sitter for your child. I would love to meet up with you in person and let you interview me so that you can feel more comfortable.
$34–40/hr
Recent review:
5.0
Jessica D.
Samantha was an amazing nanny. My husband became a stay at home dad which is the only reason we let her go. I would hire her back in an instant. Always on time. Always reliable. She took care of every need we had and was unbothered by son during his teething phase. We had her for only 6 months but she was a life-saver for me. My son can be very energetic and she kept up with him and encouraged his learning and development.
Alaysia G.
- 3 years paid experience
- 6 miles
Hi! I’m Alaysia, a passionate nursing student currently training to become a Registered Nurse specializing in pediatrics. I love being a sitter because I genuinely believe in nurturing children’s growth and creating joyful memories, not just watching the clock. Whether it's building a fort, reading stories, or teaching a fun kitchen science experiment, I am all about hands-on engagement! Why Choose Me? 1. Medical Background and Safety: As a pediatric nursing student, I am CPR/First Aid certified and trained to keep your little ones safe and calm, giving you complete peace of mind. 2. Extensive Experience: I have over 3+ years of professional childcare experience. Beyond that, I grew up caring for my nieces, nephews, and cousins, making me very comfortable with sibling dynamics and children of all ages. 3. Hidden Talent: I am also a trained Cook! I love making nutritious snacks and fun, healthy meals that kids actually enjoy. I am happy to help with meal prep and kitchen organization. I’m looking to partner with a family to provide a fun, safe, and loving environment. I can't wait to meet you and your little ones!
$21–25/hr
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