What Is a Nanny Contract?
A nanny contract is a formal written agreement between a nanny and a child’s legal guardian(s) that outlines the nanny’s services. It clarifies expectations and protects the family and the nanny, helping the parties create a smooth working relationship. If any disagreements arise, the parties can refer to this legally binding contract to work through them and prioritize the child’s care.
A nanny contract differs from other childcare contracts, such as babysitting and daycare contracts. It focuses on longer-term care on a predictable schedule, often provided in the child’s regular environment. Explore the differences between childcare contracts by comparing them below.
| Feature | Nanny Contract | Daycare Contract | Babysitting Contract |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical length of care | Long-term (months to years); often ongoing | Ongoing but scheduled (weekly/monthly enrollment) | Short-term or occasional (hours, single days, date nights) |
| Where care takes place | Usually in the child's home | Daycare provider’s facility or home daycare | Usually in the child's home |
| Schedule | Fixed schedule (full-time or part-time) | Set operating hours and days | Flexible, as needed |
| Type of care | Personalized, one-on-one care | Group care with multiple children | Basic supervision, short-term care |
| Duties may include | Childcare, light housekeeping, meal prep, transportation, routines | Supervision, meals/snacks, learning activities | Supervision, simple meals, bedtime |
| Pay structure | Hourly or regular, fixed payments | Tuition-style payments (weekly/monthly) | Hourly rate |
| Regulation/licensing | Not usually licensed, as they are a household employee | Often licensed and regulated by the state | Not licensed (informal care) |
| Best for families who… | Need consistent, customized care | Need reliable care during work hours | Need occasional or backup care |
How to Write a Nanny Contract
A nanny contract establishes expectations for a child’s care under a nanny and ensures the nanny’s terms are clear for their compensation, schedule, and living arrangements. Follow these steps to write a contract for a self-employed nanny.
1. Parties’ Information
Detail all parties’ information, including the following:
- The nanny’s name and contact information
- The family’s/parents’ names and contact information
- The names and ages of the children being cared for
- Emergency contact information of a trusted party in case the primary caregivers can’t be reached during an emergency
2. Nanny’s Responsibilities
A nanny and the family they’re providing services for should discuss the scope of the nanny’s duties. The services offered will vary depending on the nanny’s availability and the family’s needs. Some examples of services you can outline in a self-employed nanny contract include the following:
- Disciplining children
- Assisting with meal preparation and cooking
- Feeding children
- Bathing and dressing children
- Adhering to a bedtime routine
- Providing transportation to and from school and extracurricular activities
- Light cleaning, such as doing laundry, washing dishes, or tidying play areas
- Assisting with homework
- Planning educational activities, crafts, and outings
3. Care & Household Rules
All families have different rules in their households, and they can record them in a nanny contract to ensure the nanny implements them. This way, the children can have limited interruptions to their everyday routines. Some rules you may want to consider adding to your nanny agreement include the following:
- How much screen time is allowed per day
- What disciplinary methods the nanny can use and when they can use them
- What foods the children can and cannot eat (with consideration for dietary restrictions and allergies)
- What activities the children can and cannot engage in (accounting for safety and physical limitations)
- Who the nanny can release the child to after the end of a work day
- What family vehicles the nanny can use to transport the children
4. Schedule
Establish the schedule the nanny will follow to care for the child. Include the regular work hours with start and end times.
A typical full-time nanny schedule runs between 45 and 60 hours a week, often for the five weekdays. It often covers a parent’s working hours but may extend into weekends to provide parents with additional help.
A nanny services agreement should highlight the consistent nature of a nanny’s schedule so the parents know they’ll have a reliable caregiver.
5. Living Arrangements
Some families may have a live-in nanny situation, which allows the nanny to live in the family’s home while they’re caring for the child. If this is the case, you can outline the nanny’s living arrangements, such as which bedroom is theirs and whether they’ll have access to a private bathroom. If the nanny won’t live in the family home, specify that the nanny will be in a live-out arrangement.
You can also clarify if the nanny will receive reimbursements for anything they purchase for the child or for themselves while working, such as meals or gas money.
6. Time Off Provisions
Indicate how the nanny can request time off or alter their schedule if needed. Emphasize that the nanny’s role is that of an independent contractor, so they won’t receive paid time off or other benefits like health insurance.
7. Compensation
Set the nanny’s hourly rate. Nannies make an average of $15.41 per hour, but this rate can vary widely depending on factors such as the number of children under their supervision. You may include a higher rate that the nanny will receive when they work on holidays.
8. Confidentiality
Outline the restrictions on what information a nanny can share about the children, including limitations on social media posting. You may also include provisions for how a nanny should handle any private information obtained while on the job. Depending on your preferences, a family may have a nanny fill out a separate confidentiality agreement.
9. Requirements Before Starting
Indicate any requirements the nanny must fulfill before starting in their role. You may require that they pass a background check or have certification, such as the Basic Child Care certification from the US Nanny Institute.
Find qualified nannies on websites like Care.com and Sittercity.com.
Sample Nanny Contract
View our template below so you can see how to create a simple nanny contract. Include your own terms and conditions when you fill out yours with Legal Templates’s guided form, then download a printable version as a PDF or Word document.
