The Family-Nanny Work Agreement
The Family-Nanny Agreement is just that, an agreement, not a contract. But you should still take the time to create one.
The agreement is the best way to make sure you avoid misunderstandings with your nanny--especially concerning pay, duties, time off and other benefits--keeping your relationship strong in the weeks and months to come.
We provide a draft Family-Nanny Agreement based on your requirements and the terms of employment agreed to with the candidate.
complete a nanny-inquiry form
You should finalize this document and set aside time to review it with your caregiver during her first week of service, the first day or two if possible. Also, make sure to give your nanny a copy of the document.
Agreement "must haves"
- Emergency Contact Information
- Contact information for both parents and nanny, including alternate phone numbers and emails where available.
- Health provider and insurance information
- Family Emergency Plan
- Job Responsibilities
- List specific childcare and household activities including cooking and cleaning, dog walking, errands, etc.
- List specific childcare and household activities including cooking and cleaning, dog walking, errands, etc.
- Reimbursement
- Hourly pay
- Overtime policy. (How frequently will overtime be required and how much will you pay above base salary? New York State law requires a minimum 1.5 hourly rate.)
- Pay frequency (weekly or bi-weekly)
- Specifics on travel cost reimbursement (For full-time caregivers, will you monthly subway or train costs?)
- Clarify the nanny is paid 52 weeks a year, regardless of whether or not the family is on vacation or otherwise does not require services.
- Performance Appraisals
- When will they occur and what are their relevance? Are they tied to annual bonus?
- When will they occur and what are their relevance? Are they tied to annual bonus?
- Paid Time Off (PTO) Policy
- How many PTO days will be provided and how many will the nanny be able to pick for herself?
- Which national holidays do you recognize?
- How much unused PTO, if any, will carry over into the following year?
- Breaktime Policy
- How long and how frequent are nanny breaks?
- How long and how frequent are nanny breaks?
- Phone Usage Policy
- Clearly state your policy on phone usage while the nanny is on duty and with the children. Rather than a complete ban during working hours, we suggest allowing "occasional, brief calls" when the nanny is not caring directly for the child.
- Clearly state your policy on phone usage while the nanny is on duty and with the children. Rather than a complete ban during working hours, we suggest allowing "occasional, brief calls" when the nanny is not caring directly for the child.
- Regular Communications
- How often will you meet with the caregiver to discuss your child's development and other issues that come up?
- How often will you meet with the caregiver to discuss your child's development and other issues that come up?
- Bad Weather Days
- Describe how your nanny will get to/from work during inclement weather, when to stay overnight and what accommodations will be provided.
- Describe how your nanny will get to/from work during inclement weather, when to stay overnight and what accommodations will be provided.
- Termination of Employment
- Will both parties agree to provide a minimum of 2 weeks notice (if nanny is not terminated for cause)?
- How much severance will you pay (if nanny is not terminated for cause)?