Understanding Nanny Agreements & Duties
At
Huntington Nannies, we encourage our nannies to create working "nanny agreements" with the family. This helps to facilitate an open discussion regarding nanny duties, including responsibilities, expectations, and goals for both parties. These topics should be discussed prior to the first day of work.
General Questions
- Is this a live-in or live-out position?
- When is the starting date?
- Do you see this as a long-term position?
- What are the parents' occupations? (If the parents work from home, guidelines should be established for handling things when both nanny and parent are present.)
- Are other adults in addition to the parents living in the home?
- What are the children's names and ages?
- What are the children's interests and hobbies?
- How would you describe the home and the area where the family lives?
- Is there a house alarm, gated entry, or other system that requires a code?
- Do you anticipate moving in the near future?
- Do you plan to have more children in the near future?
- Will your nanny receive a raise when you have another baby or extra pay for extra children?
- Do you have pets? Do you plan to get any pets? What are Nanny's responsibilities regarding animals?
- What are your household rules?
- Can your nanny invite other nannies and moms with age-appropriate children for play dates?
- Can your nanny have friends visit or spend the night during off time?
- Are any rooms in your house off limits to children or Nanny?
- Is there a dress code for nanny at work (i.e. no jeans)?
- Do the children or the parents have allergies or special dietary needs that Nanny should be aware of?
- What is your child rearing philosophy and discipline plan?
- What values do you want taught and reinforced in your children?
- What religion are you, and how do you expect your nanny to participate in the child's religious teaching?
- How does your religion affect your daily life?
- What is your position on videotaping?
- Can the nanny spend some time with your children before making a decision?
- Are you willing to sign a work agreement that includes a 90-day trial period?
- Communication is extremely important for nannies and their employers. Are you willing to meet with your nanny on a regular basis to discuss how things are going?
Hours and Schedule
- What hours and days do you want Nanny to work?
- Are these hours flexible, or does 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. mean precisely 8 to 6?
- Will your nanny be expected to work evenings or weekends?
- What is your typical daily schedule?
- How might your schedule change? Will your schedule change during the summer, over Christmas, etc.?
- Will Nanny's job description change along with a change in schedule? If so, how and when? (Example: summer vs. school year.)
- Who makes the children's schedules? Parents, nanny, or is setting their schedule a combined effort?
- What is your procedure for spontaneous activities? Do you want Nanny to check in with you, leave a note or phone message, or is this not an issue?
- Do you want a daily journal or log kept? (i.e. what happened today)?
- Will there be a nanny workstation such as a desk, area for files, bulletin board, monthly calendar, or computer with high-speed Internet connection?
Duties
- How would you describe the "ideal nanny"?
- Define your idea of Nanny's role in your family.
- What are Nanny's responsibilities as they relate to children?
- Are non-child-related tasks and responsibilities a part of the job you want performed, such as laundry (for children/parents), making beds, and changing bedding?
- Who plans the meals, cooks, and shops for groceries? Will the nanny cook for the children, parents, or family?
- Who purchases the children's clothes, toys, and supplies?
- What financial arrangements will be made to facilitate the shopping?
- Is there other household help? Who supervises them?
- Will Nanny be expected to take the children to doctor appointments, music lessons, or other classes?
Travel & Car
- Do you travel? Will your nanny be expected to travel with you?
- What is the pay rate for Nanny traveling with your family?
- Is a car provided? Is the car available for the nanny's personal use, or only for use while she is on duty? Will the vehicle be shared with the parents?
- Will your nanny be expected to use her own car? If yes, is Nanny compensated for insurance, maintenance, and gas?
- How is your nanny covered by insurance?
Pay and Benefits
- Will your nanny be paid hourly or salary (if salary, is it a net figure or gross amount)?
- Will you be doing the nanny's taxes or using a tax service?
- How are health insurance, IRA, and retirement benefits addressed?
- What is your position on paid holidays, work holidays, and professional days (childcare related classes and conferences)?
- What is your position on paid sick days, and how many are allotted?
- What is your backup childcare plan if Nanny is sick or on vacation?
- How many vacation days does Nanny receive a year?
- Are those taken at the time of the nanny's choice or your choice?
- How much notice is necessary to give regarding vacation?
- When you vacation beyond Nanny's allotted time off and she is not traveling with you, will you still pay her?
- Is a gym membership included?
- Is a separate phone provided?
- Is a cell phone or pager provided, or will you pay a monthly bill if Nanny gets one? It will be to the family's benefit that their nanny has a cell phone.
- Will Nanny receive an evaluation from you and raises on a yearly or bi-yearly basis?
- Will Nanny receive severance pay if terminated early?
Questions for Live-In Nannies
- What accommodations are provided for Nanny (i.e. room, bath)?
- If your nanny is in a separate apartment, how will grocery expenses be handled?
- Who is responsible for cleaning Nanny's area, and by what standards?
- Are there any household rules Nanny or the children must observe on Nanny's days off?
- How do activities on Nanny's day off effect the flow of the household?
- Who will cover Nanny's moving expenses to your hometown if she accepts this position?
- Who will cover moving expenses when the position is completed?