To All Nannies. . . I Have Some Questions

[momofboys]

I have a job lined up for the fall as a part-time nanny for a family. I am very excited as this is a part-time job, good hours & I will have my summers off with my kids. I am so ready to be done provding care in my home due to my kids not feeling like they get their own time/always having to feel like my home is clean, getting up at the crack of dawn, etc, etc, etc.

Now that I have this job lined up I need some assistance with how you did contracts/set up rules with the parents & any other helpful advice. This will also be this family's first time using a nanny so really they are also clueless about what we need to do & so am I! We are supposed to talk or meet again soon to discuss some things but I honestly don't know where to start. So if anyone can offer any assistance/advice or refer me to some good sites with paperwork necessities I would be grateful. Thank you!!

[kidkair]

Sit down with them and hash out what they expect you to do and make a job description (expected activities, chores). Under the job description put in hours and fees including pay days. Have them sign it and then you sign it. Make sure everyone has a copy. Enjoy!

I honestly only did this twice as a nanny but it was a nice thing to have. We also included stuff like what car was to be used and mileage reimbursement; termination of contract rules; and sick days both for if the kids were sick and if I was sick.

[Abigail]

I never thought about a nanny contract. My sister just hired a nanny for her four children and it would be a good idea for her to make a contract on her end because if this nanny decided to just up and leave, their is no way she would find a replacement for weeks.

Her nanny just started a few days ago and works 45 hours a week for her at a certain dollar per hour rate and works rotating days and evenings and weekends from 8 am until 11 pm. She also has special training for the twins and for the allergies her toddler and K-school age daughter. That would be a good idea to have a contract. I think I'll help her make one and mention it to her nanny because if it didn't work out I would hope she would give a few weeks of a notice. Wow. Thanks for sharing, sorry I wasn't a help, but you opened my eyes.

[Former Teacher]

I have a job lined up for the fall as a part-time nanny for a family. I am very excited as this is a part-time job, good hours & I will have my summers off with my kids. I am so ready to be done provding care in my home due to my kids not feeling like they get their own time/always having to feel like my home is clean, getting up at the crack of dawn, etc, etc, etc.

Now that I have this job lined up I need some assistance with how you did contracts/set up rules with the parents & any other helpful advice. This will also be this family's first time using a nanny so really they are also clueless about what we need to do & so am I! We are supposed to talk or meet again soon to discuss some things but I honestly don't know where to start. So if anyone can offer any assistance/advice or refer me to some good sites with paperwork necessities I would be grateful. Thank you!!

After almost 18 years at my former center, I jumped into the nanny career. I didn't know a thing about being a nanny, just taking care of kiddos

That being said: I do not have a contract with my family. At the interview we discussed everything that needed to be discussed. Such as taxes, vacations, discipline, etc.

She asked me if I expected to be paid when I was sick. I said no not when I am sick. However should the boy (at that time there was one child) should be ill, we can discuss payment. I explained that since I am willing to work etc, that it would only be fair that we can compromise. Sure enough like 2 weeks after I started, the boy got sick for 4 days. I was paid in full. She explained that her previous nanny would take advantage of the situation and call in all the time.

My family takes A LOT of vacations (they are on one now as we speak! : These are all paid. I was scared the first vacation that they took because they were gone for 2 weeks. I told the mom that I felt very uncomfortable asking but was I going to paid for those weeks? Yes, absolutely! That is to long to go without money. I agreed but I also said that is to much money to be paid with I am not working. She laughed at me. That's when she said that all holidays and vacations will be paid.

I will be with my family going on 2 years. I have taken a personal day (I was matron of honor at my sisters wedding out of town) once. That was paid. Also I was sick just once. I was planning on going in but couldn't keep my head up or anything down. She talked to my husband. She did not want me working. It was only one day and she still paid me.

Before I was hired, she said that another applicant had a contract that she wanted signed. She said that's why she didn't hire her. The mom was turned off by it.

My job is PERFECT. Except one thing. They are military. Their duty is up July 2012. I will miss them

[momofboys]

We have yet to set up a time to hash it all out but I want to make sure I protect myself but I don;t want to come across as all bossy or turn them off with the idea of a contract. I may print some things off to use as a guide when I do meet with them. We already discussed the big issues like pay/time off, etc but I know there will be more issues to discuss. Thanks for your insight!

Abigail: probably a good idea for your sis & her nanny to have something in writing so they have rules to refer to & don't just "make things up as they go"

Former teacher: your parents sound like a dream-come-true. . . at least you have them until 2012!

Kidkair: I never thought about mileage reimbursement but I know I will be driving part of the time so thanks!

So how do you do your taxes as a nanny? Do the parents withhold or do you simply report your earnings the same as you would for care in your own home?

[cheerfuldom]

Formerteacher, I think you situation is incredibly unique. I would never work for anyone (or have anyone work for me) without items in writing. I wouldn't recommend that anyone read your post and assume that they will find a family like you have found. Contracts protect all involved.

[Lianne]

www.NannyNetwork.com is a fantastic nanny site. I don't think the message boards are very active any more but the site has all the info you'll need. The archived messages will have lots of info, too.

[Former Teacher]

Formerteacher, I think you situation is incredibly unique. I would never work for anyone (or have anyone work for me) without items in writing. I wouldn't recommend that anyone read your post and assume that they will find a family like you have found. Contracts protect all involved.

While I understand your post (to a point), I respectfully have to disagree.

The websites that I have read even say that a nanny contract is hard to bind legally although it does make for a better relationship between the parent and nanny since everything is spelled out. I just think that if it's discussed and verbally agreed upon prior to working, then it's fine.

Would you like to have a contract if you worked at McDonald's haha?

Anyway I do agree with you about my family-I am EXTREMLY lucky and blessed

[momofboys]

Thank you!!!

www.NannyNetwork.com is a fantastic nanny site. I don't think the message boards are very active any more but the site has all the info you'll need. The archived messages will have lots of info, too.

This is a very good resource! Thank you, Lianne!