If you’re a working parent, employing a nanny to look after your kids can make your life a whole lot easier in many ways. Nannies aren’t just there to handle childcare when you’re not at home. The best childcare providers can become a beloved part of your family dynamic, enriching the lives of parents and children alike.
However, finding a great nanny can prove difficult, especially if you’ve never had to arrange childcare before. When hiring a nanny, you need to think beyond finding someone who falls within budget, as there are many practical and legal factors that must be considered. Fortunately, we have compiled a list of five essential things you need to know before employing a nanny, to make sure all bases are covered on your journey to find a nanny.
1. Consider Your Requirements
Employing a nanny involves more than recruiting a suitable care provider. Before you start searching for nanny candidates, you’ll need to carefully consider the individual needs of your family. Think about any specific requirements your child may have that may require specialist care.
If you’re looking for long-term nanny services, you’ll need someone who can accommodate your busy schedule and fulfill a multitude of requirements. Are you a working parent who requires full-time support? A live-in nanny might be the best option for you. If you’re a little more flexible, a part-time nanny may prove a more suitable choice.
To make your search easier, write down a list of essential qualities you expect a nanny to have. This can include a background in childhood education or medical expertise. If you need someone to take charge of the school run and supervise adventures away from the home, a clean driving license is also a must. Drafting a wish list is not only a useful hiring aid, it can also be used to verify information when checking nanny references.
2. Be Realistic When Budgeting
Knowing how to employ a nanny is only half the battle. Once you’ve ironed out the specifics that you’re looking for in a dream candidate, you’ll need to determine how much you can afford to spend on childcare.
Employing a nanny can prove expensive, although the peace of mind provided by an experienced childcare professional is invaluable. Nonetheless, you’ll want to avoid paying over the odds and ensure you’re getting the best value for money.
It’s worth remembering that you’re not just paying a flat rate for hours worked. If you’re looking to arrange full-time childcare on a long-term basis, you’ll also need to consider things like bonus payments and annual raises. If you’re looking into how to employ a nanny legally, you’ll also need to think about ensuring your nanny is provided with paid holiday each year.
Many families struggle when it comes to estimating the costs of childcare. This is where a nanny placement agency such as NannyCity can help. They can advise you on average rates for pay for nannies in your area. Furthermore, they can provide further insights into things like tax and additional costs you may not have anticipated.
3. Where to Find the Best Candidates
This is another area where many parents come unstuck. Families who’ve never used the services of a professional nanny before often assume there’s little difference between a babysitter and a nanny. Generally speaking, however, experienced nannies are a sought-after commodity and you’ll find the best candidates by using established hiring networks.
Using a tried and trusted nanny agency is always the best way to go. An experienced agency will always be able to connect with the best possible candidates, from part-time nannies to newborn care specialists. We can also guide you on how to employ a nanny, giving suggestions for interview questions once you’ve whittled candidates down to a shortlist.
Another major benefit of using a nanny agency is that background and reference checks are usually included in an overall fee. This helps minimize expenditure when searching for suitable childcare for your family situation.
4. How Will a Nanny Fit Into Your Family Dynamic?
When it comes to deciding on a nanny, you’ll need to follow your gut and choose someone who will gel well with your family. However, you’ll also need to think about living arrangements if you’re considering a full-time nanny.
In many cases, families find it practical to have a full-time nanny living alongside them in their family home. If you’re thinking about this setup, your nanny will need a private bedroom at a minimum. In these situations, room and board are offered in addition to basic salaries.
Inviting a nanny into your home on a full-time basis can seem daunting, but there are significant benefits to be enjoyed with this approach. You may find that live-in nannies are more flexible when it comes to schedules.
However, the live-in arrangement isn’t a practical option for every family. You may not have the space to accommodate a live-in childcare provider or simply may not be comfortable with the idea. Nonetheless, live-out nannies can still prove an invaluable addition to your family dynamic.
5. Understanding Contracts and Your Responsibilities as an Employer
When you hire a nanny, you become an employer. This means you’ll need to think carefully about employer responsibilities. Some families choose to handle taxes themselves, while others utilize a payroll service to streamline proceedings. Things like nanny tax requirements vary by state, so you’ll need to do your homework to ensure you’re operating within the law. Luckily, websites such as Poppins Payroll offer information on New York Nanny Tax Rules which are available online.
As you’re inviting an employee to work within your home, you’ll also need to investigate insurance coverage. Your current insurance may need to be amended to ensure everyone is sufficiently covered.
Finally, a nanny will require a cast-iron contract. A good contract should clearly outline everything from salary and benefits to a comprehensive list of requirements. To prevent future misunderstandings, it may be worth consulting your chosen candidate before producing a final draft.
Find an Experienced Nanny Today
In need of childcare services from an experienced professional? NannyCity is here to help. With more than 20 years of experience, we’re the most reliable nanny agency NYC around. We’ll help you determine the level of support your family needs and make finding suitable candidates a breeze.
Looking for a part-time nanny to help alleviate some of the strain of daily life? Perhaps you’re in search of a full-time nanny who can live alongside you and your family. With an extensive network of professional nannies at our disposal, we won’t struggle to bring you an unbeatable shortlist of dream candidates. Our Manhattan nanny agency and Brooklyn nanny agency network have hundreds of suitable candidates, as well as our nanny agency Connecticut (CT) and Greenwich (CT) nanny agency locations.
Ready to fill that nanny vacancy? Get in touch with the team today.
