10 Benefits Full Time Nannies Expect from Employers

Professional in-home child care providers such as nannies often expect and deserve benefits beyond a weekly paycheck. When hiring a nanny and negotiating a contract for employment, offering these ten benefits will help you attract and retain the best candidate for you and your children.

1. Paid vacation time, with a minimum of two paid weeks off per calendar year. In your contract, you may insert exclusion dates when the nanny is not allowed to use vacation time as well as whether the time can be used in one “lump” or taken as single days off as the need arises.
2. Paid sick time. When the nanny gets sick, it is of her benefit and yours for her to stay home and recuperate so that she is at her best capability upon her return to work.
3. Health insurance. Health insurance allows your nanny to receive preventive care and manage ongoing conditions, allowing her to miss less work due to illness.
4. Dental and vision insurance. Similar to health insurance, offering your nanny dental and vision insurance allows her to seek preventive and emergency care to prevent and treat conditions that interfere with her ability to perform her job.
5. Cell phone while on the job. Provide your nanny with a cell phone to use while she is with your children so that she can call you, you can call her and the children can call her from school or the bus when the need arises.
6. Use of a family car. Your nanny will be driving your children to and from their various activities and appointments. Provide her with a well-maintained car for her own safety and that of your children.
7. Petty cash. Provide your nanny with petty cash for daily activities such as parking fees, taking the children out for fast food between activities or taking the children to small trips such as the park or an ice cream stand.
8. Regular feedback. Take the time to meet with your nanny at least every six months to provide feedback on what she is doing correctly and what could use improvement. Be sure to schedule this meeting outside of her usual work hours, but do pay her for her time.
9. Meals at your home. Allow your nanny the full use of your kitchen facilities so that she can eat a healthful meal along with your children.
10. Wardrobe allowance. Your nanny represents you at school functions, in the neighborhood and at extra-curricular activities. Providing her with a wardrobe allowance allows her to dress respectably and professionally.

Providing your hard-working nanny with a full complement of benefits shows that you are as concerned about her own health and welfare as much as that of your own children. As an employer, offering benefits to your employees also improves employee satisfaction, retention and work ethic, and creates a long-lasting positive work relationship.