How to keep two families on the same page when managing one nanny
The key to a successful nanny share is to make sure you’re on the same page -- about everything from payment to group texts to social media.
Here are some categories you’ll want to go over, and consider including in your nanny share contract.
Job Description
- What are your expectations of the nanny?
- What type of house work will you want the nanny to do (tidying, laundry, etc.)?
Payment and Extras
- What is the hourly rate?
- How much should the nanny expect to take home weekly (even if one of you doesn’t need them for a day)?
- Will you be paying through a nanny tax service?
- How will you be covering overtime?
- How will you be determining the holiday bonus?
- Does the nanny get a weekly spending allowance for snacks and activities?
Schedule
- What is the overall schedule?
- How do you want to handle one family needing to work late/go in early?
- How do you want to organize and keep track of the nanny’s schedule?
Paid Time Off
- How many paid vacation days and sick days will you be providing?
- Can you work together to plan the same weeks off?
- Are both families comfortable paying the nanny wages while they’re on vacation?
- What holidays do you need coverage for vs. what you both have off?
Sick Policy
- Do you want to use daycare rules in which a sick child should not be dropped off?
- Or, are you comfortable living under the assumption that both children have been exposed to the same virus?
- Is your nanny comfortable taking care of sick kids?
- How sick is too sick for your nanny to work?
- If your nanny takes a sick day, how will both families cover it?
Communication
- How do you want to check in with each other?
- How often?
- How would you like to manage difficult situations, whether it’s frustrations with each other or the nanny?
- When communicating with the nanny will there be one point person?
- Weekly/bi-weekly meetings?
- Group text?
Food and Supplies
- How will you break up the cost of food, gear to make the nanny’s life easier, and supplies like diapers?
Extra-Curricular Activities and Memberships
- How will you share the cost of activities such as museum memberships?
- What will you do if one family wants to pay for the nanny and child to take a class, but the other doesn’t?
Educational Resources
- How would you like your nanny to be teaching the children?
- In what way, and how many hours a day?
Off-limit Places
- Are there any places you don’t want her to go?
- Can she drive distances?
Discipline
- How would you like the nanny to discipline bad behavior?
- What type of behavior deserves a timeout?
Technology
- What are your rules for the children watching TV?
- What are the rules for your nanny watching TV or texting?
- Can she post anything about your children on social media?
Playdates
- Can your nanny host other nannies and families over at your house?
Pet Peeves
- Do you have any nanny pet peeves you want her to avoid (i.e. going to the mall, talking on the phone while pushing the stroller)?