What is a Nanny?
A Nanny is a childcare specialist whose typical workplace is at a familyβs place of residence. Nannies are employed by families to provide premium customized childcare to a familyβs child and/or children. Nannies may or may not live in a familyβs home. They can also be part-time or full-time employees. A Nanny will have specialized child development skills, provide a stimulating and nurturing environment, and have a sincere love for all children. Nannies are childcare specialists that provide quality childcare by aiding in each childβs physical, emotional, social, and intellectual developmental needs.
Ultimately, the Nannyβs role is to provide support to the family by creating a nurturing, loving, and safe environment for their children.
Responsibilities
Professional Nannies provide much more than supervision. They work alongside parents, as a team, while creating an engaging environment & ensuring that the children in their care are safe, healthy, and happy. A Nannyβs responsibility varies depending on the familyβs needs, number of children, and their ages.
A Nannyβs responsibilities typically include total care of the children (feeding & bathing), organizing fun, educational, and engaging activities, light house cleaning related to children, social play, creative learning, and might include running errands at the familyβs request.
It is extremely important for families to be as detailed and direct as possible concerning their expectations for their Nanny. For example, Is the Nanny expected to care for your children when theyβre sick? Is domestic or international traveling required? Are they expected to cook for your child? Are they responsible for scheduling play dates? Are they responsible for taking your child to the Pediatrician and other medical appointments?
If a family desires their Nanny to help with household chores around the house that arenβt childcare related, they should communicate those expectations before hire. For example, grocery shopping for family, assisting with the familyβs laundry, etc. Keep in mind, if the Nanny is required to do additional household chores that arenβt childcare related, their expected hourly rate will increase.
Schedule
A Nannyβs availability is one of the most important aspects of any successful Nanny position. Full-time Nannies typically work between 35 to 40 plus hours per week. Schedules solely depend on the family's needs. Families should provide clarity upfront with their Nanny regarding the hours and shifts that their Nanny is expected to work.
Nannies are βnon-exemptβ or protected workers, according to the Department of Laborβs Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Therefore, families MUST pay a Nanny for every hour that they work, and they MUST pay overtime of at least 1.5 times their hourly salary for every hour over 40 hours they work in a week.
Guaranteed Hours:
If a family desires their Nanny to place their familyβs needs and time requests at the top of their to-do list, they should pay their Nanny consistently. So, even if a parent takes time off from work, arrives home early, goes on vacation, etc., and does not need their Nannyβs services, their Nanny should still be compensated.
Guaranteed hours do not only guarantee your Nanny consistent pay; but also promises their availability to care for your children during those hours.
Compensation
Nannies are household employees; therefore, they are legally required to be paid as a W-2 employee with all necessary legal taxes withheld. Families will pay their Nanny as an employee, and all of their withholding taxes and filings are the familyβs responsibility.
The family is the Nannyβs employer. The family is completely responsible for their Nannyβs performance evaluations, salary, bonuses, raises, and benefits. Rates for professional Nannies will always range depending on the Nannyβs experience, degrees, certifications, and skills. Current rates for professional Nannies in Mississippi are between a gross of $20β$25+ per hour.
Benefits
Oftentimes, when hiring a Nanny, families focus more so on hours and base pay while disregarding the Nannyβs employment benefits.
Like other professionals, Nannies expect and should receive employment benefits that guarantee them paid time off, paid holidays, mileage reimbursement, and other incentives that make their jobs more secure and worthwhile.
Itβs important to recognize that the Nanny Industry is highly competitive and ensuring the best quality childcare means that families should be willing and able to provide standard employment benefits for their Nannies.
Families hoping to attract the highest-caliber Nanny candidates should consider offering the following Nanny Industry Standard Benefits:
Guaranteed Hours
Paid Sick Days (3-5)
Paid Time-off (2 Weeks)
Paid Holidays- All Federal/Bank Observed Holidays
Full or partial contribution to their Nannyβs health insurance premium.
Annual year-end Bonus (1-3 weeks of Nanny's gross compensation)
Mileage Reimbursement
Professional Development Assistance
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