10 Things Nannies Want You to Know Before Making a Hire During a Pandemic
By Stephanie Doyle
During this unexpected time of COVID-19, social distancing, school closures, and re-opening regulations are making parents re-think their childcare options. As such, more families are looking into nanny care for the first time and wondering where, when, and how to hire a nanny- and how much employing one will cost.
Here’s 10 things nannies want you to know before making your first hire.
1. Nannying is a real job. Most nannies, especially those who are experienced and knowledgeable, become a nanny because they love working with families. They’ve mastered being like an extended family member while maintaining professional boundaries. They pride themselves on knowing how to care for children, and want to help families expand their knowledge of child development. Many become career nannies and will provide care long-term for several families over the course of many years. There are even some professional nanny organizations, like the International Nanny Association, that bring nannies together and provide educational opportunities and networking events.
2. Have a general idea of what you are looking for in a nanny. Decide on job duties, responsibilities, and the job schedule before you start your search. It will be very hard for an experienced nanny to apply for a position that isn’t well defined. It’s understandable that during these hard times parents are trying to figure out what they actually need, but to have a successful search, you must have a well-defined job description. If your childcare needs may change as we move through this pandemic, be sure to discuss that during the interview with each candidate to ensure that the candidate can adapt to your changing needs.
3. Nannies are interviewing you just as much as you are interviewing them. You want to find the right fit for your family, and the nanny wants the same. An experienced nanny will most likely come with her own list of questions to the interview. She will have her own ideas of what she wants in a job and the type of family and household management style she’ll work best with. Having your personalities complement each other, as well as having similar child rearing philosophies will help you have a successful nanny and family relationship.
4. Nannies legally can’t be independent contractors, they are employers of the families for whom they work. Even though you will hear of nannies who like to be paid under the table or families who want reduce their out of pocket expenses and pay off the books, it is actually illegal to do so. With more nannies than ever being laid off due to the pandemic, families are learning the hard way that penalties of not paying legally far outweigh the costs of doing so. Plus, nannies want to have proof of income in the event they want to finance a car, rent an apartment, or buy a house, or in unexpected times like this, apply for unemployment. Check out this resource to learn more about legally hiring a nanny, including recommendations for payroll companies who can help you every step of the way.
5. Nannies must paid as hourly employees. They can’t be salaried. That’s the law. Nannies are protected by the Fair Labor Standards Act and as such, must be paid for all hours worked and in most cases, time and a half for all hours worked over 40 in a 7-day period. Most savvy nannies will expect guaranteed hours each week to ensure reliable income. This means that the nanny would still get paid if the family sends her home early, takes an unexpected day off, or if the family takes extra vacation time. If the nanny works more than the amount of guaranteed hours agreed upon, then she must be paid for each hour worked, including overtime, if applicable. Also, know that banking hours is illegal. You legally can’t ask the nanny to make up hours she didn’t work unless it is in the same 7-day pay period. Nannies must be paid at least minimum wage (though most experienced nannies usually earn between $17-$30+ per hour depending on location, education, experience, and job duties). On top of the hourly wage you should expect to budget at least 10-12% of the nannies annual wages to cover your portion of employer taxes. You may also need worker’s compensation insurance, and unemployment insurance, and money for outings and supplies. Most nannies will also expect mileage reimbursement if they use their own car for work related outings.
6. Have a written contract. Having a written contract will help protect both the nanny and the family and ensure that everyone understands the terms of the employment relationship. Before the nanny arrives on her first day of work, you should sit down and discuss the items needed in a contract, come to an agreement on all parts, and have the contract signed by all parties. These include, but aren’t limited to, the family and nanny’s information, scheduled hours, pay rate, pay schedule, a job description with an outline of duties, any other additional benefits you’re willing to offer, including vacation and sick days, health insurance stipend, professional organization memberships, schedule of review meetings, and more. Stick to your contract and if any job duties need to be added on or changed, have a meeting with the nanny to discuss and agree upon them. You can search for sample nanny agreements across the web for ideas to help you get started.
7. Communication is key! Make sure to set up regular times to meet with your nanny. This can include short, weekly meetings to touch base on how the week went, meetings every few months to discuss things more in depth, and an annual review to go over the nanny’s performance- which may include discussing a raise as well as a standard cost of living increase. If there isn’t a lot of time to talk in person with the nanny on a regular basis, using a notebook or an app where the nanny and the family can write down anything they want to share can be helpful. Carving out time to talk face to face is very important, so make doing so a priority. Meeting without the children can also help to limit distractions so the conversation can stay focused. Keeping up great communication is the key to a long lasting nanny and family relationship.
8. Having a nanny means having personalized care. A nanny can do personalized activities, outings, playdates, and raise your children the way you wish. Having a nanny may cost more than sending your child to daycare, but the added benefits are priceless. Most professional nannies will come in when your child is sick with a mild illness, or stay late when you have an important meeting you can’t miss. This means you won’t need to call out of work or scramble for back-up care. Your child may not even get sick as often since they aren’t being exposed to large groups of kids in a daycare setting. Right now, it is more important than ever to limit exposure to the COVID-19 virus and a nanny can help you do just that. Be sure to discuss your COVID related guidelines regarding social distancing and health checks with the nanny during the interview to make sure she is willing to adhere to them should she be hired.
9. An experienced and professional nanny is respectful of your time and would like the same in return. Your nanny will work hard to be consistent and arrive on time. Please do the same for her at the end of the day. Most nannies are willing to be flexible, so if you are unexpectedly late here or there, need her to work some added hours (with notice), or need a nanny to have some flexibility on a regular basis, it’s not a huge deal- unless you take advantage of her flexibility. A nanny who feels respected in her job will take the best care of you, your children and your family. You can find these types of nannies through reputable agencies, word of mouth, or even online- but be sure to do your homework and vet your nanny properly.
10. Nannies will bond with your child. Nannies learn each child’s personality, likes and dislikes, quirks, sense of humor, interests, and more, and can customize their care, to your child. Nannies and children develop a deep bond and nannies love to see the children in their care thrive and grow! Allow your nanny to develop a bond with your child and support their relationship. Chances are, they’ll have a relationship for life.
Having a nanny means you get personalized care tailored to your families’ needs. Having a clear understanding of you care needs, your budget, and your expectations will help guide you to the right nanny that is the right fit for your family.