A nanny share is one of many child care options that can support the needs of working families. Yet, knowing how to find one or how to draw up a contract for a nanny share can be challenging to figure out. While a nanny share may seem logistically daunting, it’s often more straightforward than it seems.

When searching for a nanny share, first think about what you’re looking for. There are many different options in terms of child care and education, the depth of learning that your nanny will provide, and different needs when it comes to timing and availability. Do you need coverage on weekends? Are you looking for a nanny to help with early learning? Sitting down and having a conversation with your partner to figure these out is the first step towards finding a nanny share that works for you. 

What is a Nanny Share? How Does it Work?

Next, you need to understand what a nanny share is and how it works. This childcare option involves two or more families coming together and hiring one nanny to care for both of their family’s children at the same time. Typically, the childcare provider will look after all children in one location, alternating between family homes, e.g, your house one week and the other family’s house the next. 

Both families typically contribute to the nanny’s wages, making the costs of a nanny share more affordable for some families. 

Sharing a Nanny: How to Choose the Other Family

One of the biggest jobs you have before setting up a nanny share is finding the right family. Sometimes this is easy if you have a friend searching for childcare too. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always work out like this. So, how should you choose another family to share a nanny with? 

Get the word out that you’re looking for a family to take part in a nanny share. Online and local parenting groups (Vivvi has a Families Facebook Group here!), nanny agencies, and referrals from friends are just some of the routes you can take. 

Once you have a possible family that can be a part of a nanny share, each family needs to be on the same page. 

Here’s what you should be asking when choosing a family to buddy up with as part of this child care option:

• What is their parenting style? While it might not be possible to find a family that matches your parenting style exactly, your views on parenting should be similar. If you believe in the peaceful parenting approach and the other family doesn’t, this is a sign that they might not be the right fit. 
• Do you like the other family? You’re going to be spending a lot of time talking to and likely seeing this family – and your kids will be together all day long. While you don’t have to become best friends with your nanny share partners, you do need to respect each other and get along well enough to make this unique relationship work.
• What age are their children? Choose a family with children around the same age as yours. We recommend this because it will be easier for the nanny to coordinate nap times, plan meals, and organize age-appropriate learning activities. 
• Does this family’s location work for you? A nanny share often involves families sharing houses, and at the very least, involves daily commutes to whichever home you’ll be sharing for the day. Is it an easy commute for drop-offs and pick-ups? Does the other family live in a family-friendly neighborhood? 

Remember, this is more than just a nanny share. This other family will become an extension of your own. That’s why it is so important to choose the right family from the very beginning. 

You’ve Found a Nanny Share! What Should Be in the Contract?

Ok, you have found a family and a nanny. Now what? Drawing up a contract with another family can feel like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. If you are hiring and managing your caregiver directly, think of this like any other contract: it will need to state expectations and how the relationship will work. 

There will be some nuances that each family will need to iron out before drawing up a contract. Getting help from your nanny can make the process easier. These are the core points to include to make sure there’s confusion down the road: 

• State the location for employment, how many days you’ll be using the nanny, and how many hours you will need them for.
• State your nanny’s pay rate and how each family will be dividing the nanny share cost.
• Detail how many paid vacation days your nanny will receive and how they can be used, e.g., you might require your nanny to take a week’s vacation with your families. 
• Mention what the backup care arrangements will be used if the nanny is sick.
• State whether the nanny will need their own car for transporting children or if you will provide them with one.
• List house rules, so your nanny knows which activities, TV shows, toys, and video games are and aren’t allowed.
• Detail your preferred approach for disciplining children.
• Mention how you will carry out performance reviews and how often. 
• Provide a notice period that each family requires if the nanny decides to leave.

Discover Vivvi’s In-Home Learning Experience

At Vivvi, our in-home learning model provides exceptional child care from the comfort of your own home. We offer part-time and full-time care for an individual or shared families. If you want a child care option that provides the benefits of a nanny and an early childhood educator, our in-home program may be the perfect fit for you.

Photo by Kara Brodgesell for Mother Mag.