My family has been part of a nanny share since the beginning of the pandemic, when our daycare closed. It was a great option for us to have childcare while keeping our kids safe in a small environment (only contact with the nanny and our partner family). Even though the spread of COVID dwindled and daycares reopened, we decided to keep our kids (including our newest addition) in the nanny share because it works best for our family. I want to share all the ins and outs of nanny shares with you to help you make the best decision for your family’s childcare needs.
What is a nanny share?
A nanny share is a childcare arrangement where two or more families share the services of one nanny. The nanny typically cares for the children at one of the family’s homes, and the families split the cost of the nanny’s salary, taxes, and benefits.
How is a nanny share different from an in-home daycare or having a nanny for your own family?
An in-home daycare is a childcare facility that operates out of a provider’s home. Typically, the provider cares for multiple children of different ages, and the cost is typically lower than a nanny share or a private nanny.
A private nanny is a childcare professional who is employed by one family to care for their children. The nanny typically works in the family’s home and is responsible for all aspects of childcare, including meals, activities, and discipline.
A nanny share is a middle ground between in-home daycare and a private nanny. Families who share a nanny typically have more control over the nanny’s schedule and childcare practices than families who use in-home daycare, but they also have to share the nanny and make decisions with another family.
What are the costs of a nanny share?
The cost of a nanny share varies depending on a number of factors, including the nanny’s experience, the number of children in the share, the number of hours per week the nanny works, and the location where the nanny share is hosted. However, nanny shares are typically more affordable than hiring a private nanny.
In addition to the nanny’s salary and taxes and benefits, you will also need to budget for the cost of the children’s food and activities.
Here is a breakdown of the types of costs associated with a nanny share:
- Nanny’s salary: The nanny’s salary is typically split evenly between the families in a nanny share. For example, if two families each have one child, they would each pay 50% of the nanny’s salary. If there are three families with one child each, each family would pay 33% of the nanny’s salary.
- Taxes and benefits: In addition to the nanny’s salary, you will also need to factor in the cost of taxes and benefits. These typically range from 9% to 12% of the nanny’s salary. You can go through services such as Care.com or Poppins Payroll. You can also Do Your Own Nanny Taxes – for free!
- Children’s food and activities: You will also need to budget for the cost of the children’s food and activities. This cost can be reduced by providing your own food, snacks, and supplies whenever possible.
Pros and cons of nanny shares
Pros:
- Cost: A nanny share is typically more affordable than hiring a private nanny.
- Flexibility: Families can often work with the nanny to create a schedule that meets their needs.
- Socialization: Children who participate in nanny shares have the opportunity to socialize with other children their age.
- Support: Families who share a nanny can support each other and offer advice and childcare tips.
Cons:
- Finding a compatible nanny: It can be difficult to find a nanny who is compatible with both families’ childcare needs and parenting philosophies.
- Coordinating schedules and childcare needs: It can be challenging to coordinate schedules and childcare needs with another family. This can be especially difficult if the families have different work schedules or different needs for childcare.
- Resolving disagreements: If there are disagreements between the families, it can be difficult to resolve them. This can be especially challenging if the families have different parenting philosophies.
- Ending the nanny share: If one family needs to leave the nanny share early, it can be disruptive for the other family and the nanny.
First steps to starting a nanny share
If you are interested in starting a nanny share, the first step is to find a compatible family. You can ask friends, family or neighbors for recommendations, or you can use a nanny share matching service.
Once you have found a compatible family, you need to agree on the terms of the nanny share, such as:
- Schedule: What days and hours will the nanny work?
- Cost: How will you split the cost of the nanny’s salary, taxes, and benefits?
- Discipline: What is your discipline philosophy and how will the nanny handle discipline issues?
- Communication: How will you communicate with each other about your childcare needs and concerns?
Once you have agreed on the terms of the nanny share, you can start interviewing nannies. Be sure to ask the nanny about their experience with nanny shares and their childcare philosophy.
Where to host your nanny share
One of the first things you’ll need to decide with your new partner family when starting a nanny share is where to host it. There are a few factors to consider when making this decision, such as:
- Location: Consider the location of both families’ homes. Is one family’s home more centrally located, making it easier for both families to travel to?
- Space: Consider the amount of space available in each home. If you have a smaller home, you may want to consider hosting the nanny share at the other family’s home, if they have more space.
- Amenities: Consider the amenities available in each home. For example, if you have a large backyard, you may want to consider hosting the nanny share at your home so that the children have plenty of space to play outside.
- Preferences: Consider the preferences of both families. Do either family have a strong preference for hosting the nanny share at their home?
No matter where you decide to host your nanny share, it’s important to make sure that the space is safe and child-friendly. You should also make sure that the nanny has all of the supplies and resources they need to care for the children.
Nanny share contract
A nanny share contract is a written agreement between two or more families who are sharing the services of a nanny. The contract should outline the terms of the arrangement, including the nanny’s schedule, pay, benefits, and responsibilities. It should also address how the families will handle issues such as sick leave, vacations, and termination.
A nanny share contract can help to prevent misunderstandings and conflict between the families and the nanny. It is important to have a comprehensive contract in place before the nanny starts working and to review it regularly and make changes as needed.
It is also a good idea to include a section in your contract that covers how the families will handle unexpected events, such as the nanny being sick or the children being sick. You should also have a plan in place for if the nanny needs to leave the nanny share early or if one of the families needs to leave the nanny share early.
Having a nanny share contract in place can help to ensure that your nanny share is a success for everyone involved.
With careful planning and communication, a nanny share can be a great childcare option for both families and the nanny.
Ready to dive in?
If you’re contemplating a nanny share, I wholeheartedly encourage you to give it a try. Embarking on this journey has been one of the most rewarding decisions we’ve made for our family. Not only has it reduced childcare costs (from a traditional nanny arrangement), but it has also provided our children with invaluable social interaction and nurtured a supportive community with fellow families. Our nanny has become an extension of our family, and our partner families have transformed into lifelong friends. The arrangement has fostered a sense of mutual support that extends beyond childcare.
I am so thankful to this platform for the opportunity to share my experience, and I hope this article has shed light on the many benefits of nanny sharing. Check out an upcoming guide with nanny share tips and frequently asked questions. Feel free to comment with any additional questions or feedback you may have.
