What is a Nanny?

By Kari Shafer

The International Nanny Association defines a nanny as one "employed by the family on either a live-in or live-out basis to undertake all tasks related to the care of children. Duties are generally restricted to childcare and the domestic tasks related to childcare. May or may not have had any formal training, though often has a good deal of actual experience. Nanny's work week ranges from 40 to 60 hours per week. Usually works unsupervised."

A nanny is much more than a baby-sitter.  Nannies are generally expected to be active participants in the emotional, creative and intellectual upbringing of your child(ren).  Nannies should be constantly learning and pursuing knowledge about child development and care.  Nannies develop close bonds with the children they watch, and usually the entire family.  Some families choose to treat their nannies as a member of the family, while other families prefer to have a professional relationship with their nanny.  There is no right or wrong way to set up a nanny-family relationship, our job as an agency is to make sure you are matched with a nanny who most closely fits your individual family’s needs.  Our detailed contract (co-created with you) will help you have everything in writing before your nanny begins in your home.  We have the knowledge and experience to help you create the perfect nanny/family situation!

Nannies also have a wide variety of duties.  As the INA defines a nanny, the only household duties a nanny performs are in relation to the care of the children.  This is usually true.  Families requiring extra housekeeping duties will generally hire a housekeeper-nanny, which generally is a bit more expensive.  Curious about what exactly a nanny does?

Some of the duties a nanny may expect to perform are:
  • Loving and nurturing children
  • Playing, reading, arts and crafts, games and other activities
  • Changing babies
  • Feeding babies
  • Dressing children
  • Bathing children
  • Driving children to/from activities
  • Assisting older children with homework
  • Other duties associated with the care of children
  • Teaching basic skills and values

    • Minor housekeeping chores such as:
  • Children’s Dishes
  • Children’s Laundry
  • Making children’s beds
  • Occasional shopping
  • Tidying up children’s rooms and play areas
  • Cooking for the children
  • Other duties as negotiated by family
    • *Please not that any and all duties are negotiated between the family and the nanny.  The agency does not set definite guidelines as to the nanny duties.  This is only an example of what we see as standard.

    Nannies may work 8-10 hours per day.  Nannies can either live-in or live-out.  Live-in nannies live with the families that employ them.  A live-in nanny is generally expected to have her own bedroom and bathroom, sometimes in the form of a separate living area.  Most live-in nannies are also given a vehicle to drive.  Both live-in and live-out nannies can expect two days off per week, at least one week of paid vacation annually and sick and or personal days.  For more information on our nanny requirements and pay please see the family page associated with the appropriate branch above.

    Nannies are expected to be excellent role models with impeccable moral compasses.  We expect all of our nannies to maintain  a high standard of living.  Nannies should be active, fit, healthy eaters, patient, kind, honest, trustworthy and generally a good example for the children in their care.  We expect our nannies to follow parent-defined guidelines in the home and work with open communication.

    If you have more questions about our nannies or what you can expect from your nanny, please call us at 1-888-85-NANNY!
    Interview Ideas & Tips
    By Kari Shafer

    More and more families are hiring nannies without ever meeting in person.  We have seen great success in this process due to the in-depth research we do on all the nannies before they are made available to you.  Whether your nanny candidates live in your home town or you are remotely interviewing nannies, these tips will help you think about what is most important to your family.

    One of the most common mistakes I think families make is trying to be a family they are not.  Families sometimes have the tendency to make things seem perfect, disguising issues that may be important dynamics at home.  Although it’s true that disclosing certain details about your family (such as a child with a behavioral disorder or major marital problems) could deter certain nannies, it will also help you find someone who can handle your specific family's needs….and we all have specific needs!

    Being your true self in general is important when interviewing nannies.  The most challenging part of placing nannies with families is matching complimenting personalities.   If you know you, your partner or your children have specific personality traits, this can be a great thing to discuss when interviewing potential nannies.  For example; "I have a very strong personality and it can sometimes be a challenge for me to meet the needs of a very sensitive and quiet childcare provider."

    It is very important to get to know your nanny.  Some families are completely focused on their nanny having the right experience.  Although this is an extremely important part of hiring a nanny, having someone you really enjoy having in your home  is priceless.  Talk about what your nanny enjoys doing on her time off: What is a quiet night at home to her?  What’s her ideal vacation?  What television shows does he/she enjoy?  Although these questions may not tell you about her experience or qualifications, they may help you determine if your chosen nanny is the right fit for your family.

    Below you will find some basic questions.  These are more typical interview questions to determine if your chosen nanny can handle the responsibilities of the position you are offering.
  • What do you think children like best about you?
  • What do you like most about yourself? What would you like to improve about yourself?
  • What do you like to do in your spare time?  Any hobbies, activities?
  • Can you cook?
  • How do you feel about performing light housekeeping?
  • Will you be able to adjust your schedule if we need to go out of town or stay late at work from time to time?
  • How long do you think you would be willing to stay in this position? When can you start?
  • What do you plan to do when this contract is completed?
  • What appeals to you about taking care of children in their own home (i.e. vs. a day care center or your home)?
  • What was your worst experience in childcare and how did you resolve it?
  • How were you disciplined as a child? What would you do differently with your own children?
  • How do you feel about furthering your training by attending child development classes or seminars?
  • What do you find to be the most challenging (or interesting) part of working with children?
  • Have you ever had to handle an emergency? If so, what happened and what action did you take?
  • Tell me about your childhood and your current relationship with your family.
  • What television shows do you enjoy watching?
  • How do you think your closest friends would describe you and your personality?
    • We will provide you with detailed interview help sheets.   We have age-specific questions based on each child’s age group.  We can also provide counseling to families who are new to the process of hiring a nanny or would like additional assistance when interviewing nannies.

    Our incredible contract will iron out all of these details before your nanny ever starts.  This is the best way (along with how your nanny is treated) to predict your nanny’s longevity! And don’t worry, we will help you every step of the way to get all those important details in your contract.
    The Facts About Auto & Health Insurance
    for Your Nanny

    by Lorraine Meacham & Kari Shafer

    AUTO INSURANCE-  Families who provide their nanny with a vehicle often wonder about auto insurance.  Do you have to add the nanny to the family insurance?  Unfortunately, there are several correct answers to this question, as the laws vary by state.  Some states allow the nanny to be covered while driving your vehicle without adding her to your plan, while others mandate it.  Also, nannies who are under a certain age must be added in most states regardless of the circumstances.  The best thing to do is to contact your insurance company.  Let them know the circumstances and have an agent asses your needs.  Never assume your nanny is covered, this could have disastrous ramifications.

    Liability is a major concern for nannies who are transporting children in their own vehicle.  A nanny could find that she is not covered while transporting children for work, or using the vehicle for business purposes.  Nannies should check with their insurance company to make sure that she is covered while transporting children for work.  Usually the change in premium is minimal.

    HEALTH INSURANCE-  Many families want to add extra benefits in order to attract more qualified nannies.  Other families want to invest in their nanny’s health; after all, a healthy nanny is a happy nanny.  Whatever your motivation, health insurance can be more affordable than you might imagine.  There are two basic types of insurance plans suitable for a family to offer a nanny: First you have permanent health insurance.  Permanent health insurance is what most of us are accustomed to and is suitable for families and nannies with commitments of several years.  The second option, temporary health insurance, is great for a typical nanny/family relationship of one year.  With temporary health insurance there is a set term (6 months, 1 year, etc.) after which the insurance expires  Any health issues that occurred during coverage would be a pre-existing condition if renewed.  We have seen families insure their nannies this way for under $100 per month.  We do not recommend any particular insurance company, however you can search your favorite search engine for "temporary health insurance". 
    The Facts About Nanny Taxes

    Kari Shafer- Almost every family and nanny we speak with have questions about nanny taxes and payroll.  The most frequent question we get is "Is a nanny an independent contractor?   The simple answer is no.  A nanny is an employee, and therefore, in order to be legal you must pay employment taxes.  For a calculator that shows your portion and your nanny’s withholding, please visit Breedlove's Nanny Payroll Calculator.  You may use a payroll company such as Breedlove or GTM to help you set up direct deposit and automatic withholding or contact your accountant for more help.

    As an agency, we do not get involved with payroll and taxes.  It is up to you and your nanny to set up a system that works best for you.  We encourage all families to be legal and can provide you with more information on how to comply with federal tax laws.