Nanny services: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What nanny services is

A nanny provides regular child care in your home, handling meals, activities, schedules and sometimes light chores. Many families treat the nanny as part of the household routine.

Signs you need it

  • Both parents work and need steady care
  • You have more than one child and want care at home
  • You need flexible hours
  • You want one caregiver for your child's routine
  • You want help with school drop-offs

What the pro does

  • Interviews and a trial day
  • Agreeing on hours, duties and house rules
  • Daily care: meals, play, outings, naps and school runs
  • Updates to parents each day
  • Regular reviews of the arrangement

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Hours per week
  • Number and ages of children
  • Live-in or live-out
  • Duties such as driving or chores
  • Experience and training
  • Schedule flexibility

What a written quote should spell out

  • Hours, days and overtime rules
  • Duties included and not included
  • Payment schedule and tax handling
  • Time off, sick days and notice
  • House rules such as screens and discipline

Questions to ask before you hire

  • What experience do you have with my children's ages?
  • Are you trained in first aid or CPR?
  • Can I contact references?
  • How do you handle discipline?
  • Do you drive, and are you insured?
  • What are your expectations about hours?

Red flags

  • No references
  • Disagrees with house rules
  • Unreliable on time
  • Vague about tax or paperwork
  • Uses phones constantly with children

What you can do yourself

You can write a duty list and household rules before interviewing. Talk with your child's doctor about allergies or medical needs and share instructions in writing.

Licenses and permits

Nannies are not usually licensed, but employment rules, tax paperwork and background checks apply. Check with your state and local agencies about hiring household employees, and ask for references and first aid training.

Nanny services questions

Is a nanny an employee?

Often yes. Check state and local rules on household employees.

Do I need a contract?

A written agreement helps both sides by setting hours, duties, time off and notice.

How do I run a trial?

Pay for a trial day or week.

Can a nanny take my kids out?

Agree on rules for outings and driving.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

Edit history

How it works

  1. 1. Describe the job

    Pick the service, add your ZIP and a sentence about what is going on.

  2. 2. Pick the pros you want

    See screened pros who serve your ZIP and choose who you want to hear from.

  3. 3. They reach out

    They contact you the way you chose: phone, email or in-app messages.

More health and wellness guides

Find a pro near you

Find a pro

About this guide

Request nanny services