Hiring an after school nanny is a big decision, and it usually lands in the busiest part of your year. A clear process makes it easier and gets you a better hire.
These seven tips walk you through what to do before, during, and after your search, so you can move quickly without cutting corners on safety, fit, or the things you’ll wish you’d talked through up front.
In this guide
- 7 tips for hiring a great after school nanny
- Where to find an after school nanny or sitter
- After school nanny hiring FAQs
7 tips for hiring a great after school nanny
These seven tips can help you hire more confidently before the school year starts.
1. Write a clear job description
A detailed job description does a lot of the work for you. When candidates know exactly what you need, you waste less time on the wrong fits.
Include:
- The hours and days you need help
- The age of your kids
- Hourly rate and whether you’ll cover gas or mileage
- Whether you need driving, homework help, light meal prep, or other extras
- Whether a background check is required
On UrbanSitter, our job posting form lets you tick boxes for the type of help you need (full-time, afternoon, school pickup, drop-off, driver). Check current after school rates in your area so your offer is competitive.
2. Be realistic about the tasks
A great after school nanny is not a stand-in for a housekeeper or a personal chef. Start with the basics: school pickup, snack time, homework support, and supervised play or activities.
Once you have a rhythm with the basics, you can talk through adding dinner prep, laundry, or other tasks. Be honest about how long each one takes so the schedule lines up with reality.
3. Sort out transportation early
Will your nanny meet your child at the bus stop, or do you need a driver who can shuttle the kids from school to activities?
If driving is part of the job, confirm:
- A valid license and a safe driving record
- A reliable car, or your willingness to lend the family car
- A plan for gas reimbursement or mileage
UrbanSitter offers an optional driving record check on nannies for a small fee.
Find after school nannies near you
4. Plan for flexibility
Work doesn’t always end at five. If your schedule shifts, look for a nanny who can stay later when needed.
And if one nanny can’t cover every afternoon, split the job between two trusted nannies. The bonus: you always have backup.
5. Match on values, not just availability
Your nanny spends hours each week with your kids, making meals, supervising homework, and enforcing house rules. You want someone whose instincts feel like a natural extension of yours.
In the interview, ask how they’d handle a sibling argument, a homework meltdown, or a quiet kid who just wants to read alone. Specific stories tell you more than a resume can. Trust your gut on fit.
6. Run a background check
A background check is non-negotiable for anyone who’ll be alone with your kids. Cover criminal history, employment history, and any state-specific requirements. Take red flags seriously.
On UrbanSitter, every UrbanSitter nanny completes a background check each year through a third-party service, an added layer of confidence on top of your own screening.
7. Call references
Calling references can feel like a formality, but it is where you learn what people are like to work with day to day.
Ask about reliability, communication, how they handled tough moments with the kids, and whether the family would hire them again. A specific story tells you more than a star rating.
Once your hire is locked in, our after school babysitter guide walks through how to set up the working arrangement so the first days go smoothly.
Where to find an after school nanny or sitter
The best after school nannies book up before the school year starts, so it pays to begin a few weeks early. UrbanSitter helps you find after school nannies and sitters reviewed by other parents in your neighborhood, including nannies your friends or local school families have already hired.
After school nanny hiring FAQs
How do you hire an after school nanny?
Start with a clear job description that covers hours, rate, transportation, and any specific responsibilities. Post the role on a trusted nanny-finding site, screen candidates against your needs, run a background check, and call references. Most families can go from posting to hire in two to four weeks.
What questions should I ask in an after school nanny interview?
Ask about experience with your child’s age range, how they’d handle common after school scenarios (homework refusal, sibling arguments, an unexpected late arrival), their approach to discipline, and any specific logistics like driving or meal prep. Specific stories beat general answers. For a deeper list, see our guide to nanny interview questions.
How much does an after school nanny cost?
Babysitting rates average $26.24 per hour for one child and $29.87 for two, as of January 2026, based on UrbanSitter booking data. Rates run higher when the role includes regular driving or a longer weekly commitment. See our after school care costs guide for city-by-city details.
Should I run a background check on an after school nanny?
Yes. Anyone who’ll be alone with your kids should pass a background check covering criminal history, employment history, and any state-specific requirements. On UrbanSitter, every UrbanSitter nanny completes a background check each year. Learn more about our background check process.
When should I start looking for an after school nanny?
Start your search a few weeks before the school year begins. The best nannies tend to be booked up before the first day, so beginning early gives you time to interview and find the right fit.
How do you check references for an after school nanny?
Ask each candidate for two or three recent references, then call (don’t text) and ask specific questions: how long they worked with the family, whether they were reliable, how they handled tough moments, and whether the family would hire them again. Listen for specifics, not generic praise.
Find your after school nanny now with UrbanSitter
Still figuring out your school year child care plan? Our back-to-school child care guide walks through the options and considerations.
