Frequently Asked Questions
On average, a placement will take 2 to 3 weeks to be completed. However, we have placed nannies within 3 days, and this could depend on a lot of things such as:
- If your need is immediate.
- What town or city you live in.
- What schedule the family is offering.
- What rates and benefits the family offers.
- Number of children to care for and their ages.
- High demand in your area.
Qualified Candidates: Nanny agencies meticulously vet candidates, ensuring they possess the necessary qualifications and experience, saving parents the time and effort of screening candidates themselves.
Thorough Background Checks: Agencies conduct comprehensive background and reference checks on candidates, providing parents with peace of mind knowing that their child is in safe hands.
Time Savings: Nanny agencies streamline the hiring process by presenting parents with pre-screened candidates who meet their specific criteria, saving them valuable time and effort.
Higher Retention Rates: Data shows that nannies sourced through agencies tend to stay longer with families, providing stability and continuity in childcare arrangements.
Ongoing Support: Agencies provide continued support and assistance to parents throughout the employment period, including help with creating tailored agreements and addressing any concerns that may arise.
Overall, using a nanny placement agency offers parents a convenient, efficient, and reliable way to find a qualified caregiver for their child, ensuring peace of mind and confidence in their childcare choice.
To make things easier and faster for both the family and the candidate. We recommend that families hire a payroll and tax company such as GTM, Homework Solutions, or one through their own research. For a set annual fee companies like these mentioned here can relieve families of the responsibility and give peace of mind in it being done right.
Although, if the family wanted to do it on their own:
The family is responsible for paying their employment taxes, which include Social Security, Medicare, and federal and state unemployment taxes. You may also need to withhold federal and state income taxes from their wages. Additionally, you will need to provide them with a W-2 form at the end of the year and file various tax forms with the IRS and state tax authorities. It’s essential to familiarize yourself with your tax obligations and consult with a tax professional for guidance.
While this may differ with some agencies, a nanny is always the employee of the family when placed through Notable Nannies Agency.
Most nannies have pre-established rates, often negotiable and typically based on an hourly charge. For instance, if you require a nanny from Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM, at an hourly rate of $25, the gross weekly payment would be $1,000, amounting to $52,000 annually. Nannies expect paid time off for major holidays and sick days. Additionally, families may offer a yearly bonus and a health insurance stipend. An annual raise in the hourly rate is customary, especially when additional children or responsibilities are added.
A Nanny is typically hired on a long-term basis whether this it is on a part time or full-time schedule. Nannies help families raise and educate the children and are seen as an extension of the family. Most responsibilities and tasks of a nanny are those related only to the children.
A Babysitter typically works on call or on a set weekly basis for only a few hours per day. A sitter is not put on the family’s payroll and are typically paid by the hour when employed.
An Au Pair is a young adult, typically aged 18 to 25, who travels to a foreign country for a defined period to live with a host family. The Au pair supports the host family with childcare and light housework while learning the language and culture of the host country. Au pairs typically sign contracts of 1 year and can renew for a second year. Au pairs are provided with room and board, and a stipend of about $200 weekly. In some cases, Au Pairs are also provided with a vehicle and a cell phone for personal use. NNA does not currently place Au pairs.
A Household Manager essentially keeps things running smoothly in the employer’s home. Common house manager duties include grocery shopping, laundry, running errands, making appointments, coordinating travel, handling household billing, maintaining cars, buying gifts on their employers’ behalf, etc. A household manager could be combined with nanny duties and this is usually employed when the family has older children and wants to provide their employee with full time hours.
Trials can give the family a better idea on how the nanny might blend into their home life and vice versa, how they interact with the children, and the way their skills complement with the family’s needs. Trials can be anywhere from 3 hours to a full day of work and go on for 2 to 3 days if necessary. Trials should always be paid at the agreed hourly rate.
- Guaranteed pay and overtime.
- Sick/personal/inclement weather days.
- Paid vacation.
- Paid holidays.
- Health insurance reimbursement.
- Mileage reimbursement.
- CPR certification reimbursement.
Families are not required to provide health insurance for their nanny. Although, many families contribute funds to their nanny’s plan in line with what most businesses and employers do.
A nanny contract or work agreement is not legally required under Federal law, but you SHOULD take the time to write one up anyway. It is a best practice that protects the family and provides a point of reference to both parties when there are questions or misunderstandings.
If you are hesitant in introducing a formal document into the working relationship, we can assure you taking the time to draft and sign a nanny contract can protect both your family and your nanny. Notable Nannies Agency can help with this. At Notable Nannies, we will provide you with an extensive agreement to use with your nanny.
- Providing loving care to the children, including feeding, bathing, dressing, and ensuring general cleanliness.
- Following child-rearing preferences of the family, avoiding yelling, hitting, or allowing television while the child is present.
- Preparing meals for the children as instructed by the family.
- Engaging in age-appropriate activities such as playdates, sports, reading, and art.
- Planning additional activities focused on child development, social skills, and education.
- Facilitating connections with the family, such as transporting the child to the family’s workplace or arranging video conferencing.
- Ensuring safety during outings and refraining from phone usage while driving.
- Keeping children’s areas clean and organized, including laundry and toy maintenance.
- Maintaining a daily nanny journal documenting meals, activities, and educational progress.
- Being accessible by mobile phone and promptly responding to family communication.
- Maintaining current certifications in Infant SIDS and Child CPR and First Aid.
- Administering medication to the child only as directed by the family.
Live-in nannies are provided with room and board (rent and food) and no utilities should be charge to the nanny. A live-in nanny requires their own bedroom and bathroom. Live-in nannies should have a set schedule! It is important for nannies to have time to recharge their own batteries, so they can be the most helpful to your family. The live-in nanny must be completely free during their off time, so they can take care of themselves and do whatever they would like. If there is anything that would prevent the nanny from doing that, those hours turn into working (often overtime) hours.
