Live-in nannies are a unique form of childcare you may not know about. We’ve broken down everything you need to know about live-in nannies.
What are live-in nannies?
They are nannies that live in your home 24/7 and have separate sleeping quarters in order to be available to your family as much as possible. On the other hand, live-out nannies come to your house to take care of your children and return home at the end of the day.
Nannies typically work five days a week on school days with two days off on the weekends, but their schedules depend on families’ needs and their own availability. They may or may not stay at your house during their days off. Also, they typically do not pay for rent or meals while staying in families’ houses.
Are they more expensive than live-out nannies?
They may be more expensive than live-out nannies because they work longer hours. They also take up a room in your house and are another mouth to feed for meals, which are important costs to consider when deciding who to hire. Specific pricing varies based on where you live, including the cost of living and market rate of childcare. A live-in nanny in the suburbs may be less expensive than a live-out nanny in a big city. Families could also choose to compensate live-out nannies more since they have to commute and pay for housing costs. How much a nanny costs ultimately depends on the family they work with and their individual terms.
What are the benefits of hiring a live-in nanny?
They can be great for both parents and kids since parents have more support for their children and nannies can spend more quality time with their kids. They may also help with housekeeping tasks and errands since they spend more time in your home. Because they don’t have to commute, they are more available to your family in the morning and at night.
How are they different from au pairs?
Although they seem like similar roles, there are several differences between nannies and au pairs. A nanny is treated like an employee, with a salary including a minimum wage. On the other hand, an au pair is treated like a temporary member of the family and is typically paid a small stipend in addition to free room and board. Au pairs often come from foreign countries and get an opportunity to work in the United States. If they speak another language, they can begin teaching your kids that language and spend time immersing them in it. Au pairs are usually under 30 years old and may not have childcare experience, while nannies often do. While au pairs and nannies both live at their clients’ houses and take care of their children, the differences between the two arrangements appeal to different families depending on costs and childcare experience.
How do I find a live-in nanny?
UrbanSitter helps connect parents and trusted nannies based on their locations, needs, and price range. You can search the network to see who might fit best for you, or you can make a dedicated job posting and let interested candidates apply. Once you’ve found a match, you can negotiate scheduling and pricing on your own terms. You can even schedule a trial session with live-in nanny candidates to see how your children get along with them.
Conclusion
There are several pros and cons of hiring a live-in nanny. They are available around the clock to help your family and can get to know you and your kids much better, but they also need compensation for that time on call and a place to stay within your home. Overall, what kind of nanny you hire depends on your price range, household needs, and personal preferences.
