Hiring Your Nanny
Hiring Your Nanny
We have provided information below that will be helpful for you as you hire your nanny.
Family & Nanny Agreement
A very important step in hiring your nanny is to go over your Family & Nanny Agreement Form with each other. We encourage you to sit down with your nanny and go over everything stated on the the form. You are more than welcome to edit the form to suit the needs of your specific working relationship. Your nanny becomes a valued part of your family and having clear communication regarding what you are agreeing to will help ensure a lasting relationship with each other moving forward.
You can download and print out a copy of the Family/Nanny Agreement Form in PDF here: Family & Nanny Agreement - PDF
To download the Family/Nanny Agreement Form as a Word Document that can be edited click here: Family & Nanny Agreement - Word Documen
Tax and Payroll Services
It is important to know how to pay your nanny and/or household staff legally. We have listed below services that can help guide when paying your nanny:
2.) Sure Payroll
LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF HOUSEHOLD EMPLOYERS
Nannies are not independent contractors but are employees of the family for whom they work. For this reason, parents who employ a nanny must take the steps necessary to establish themselves as legitimate employers. These steps include securing a Federal Identification Number with the IRS (by completing form SS-4) and obtaining an employer identification number from the state in which the family resides (by contacting the state office that handles employment). Parents may also have to report “a new hire” with the office that handles employment in the state where the family resides.
Federal law also requires that all nanny employers pay a portion of their employee’s Social Security taxes, state unemployment taxes, and in some states, workers’ compensation.
Parents must also file the proper year-end tax forms and supply their nanny with a W-2 form by January 31st of each year. Parents must also file form W-3 with the Social Security Administration by February 28th of each year.
Nannies should expect to pay Social Security and federal income tax on their earnings. Federal law requires that all nanny employers pay a portion of Social Security taxes, state unemployment taxes, and in some states, workers’ compensation.
* “Legal Responsibilities Of Household Employers” taken from the International Nanny Association, www.nanny.org. Haven Nanny Services is an active member to the association.*
Helpful Tips
1.) One Month Check-In: It’s a good idea to have a one month check-in with your nanny to communicate what is working well and what isn’t. This helps to keep communication open and gives you a chance to review the Family & Nanny Agreement. It takes a little time to get into a consistent rhythm with your nanny. By going over the Family & Nanny Agreement after working with each other for a month, is a good way to change or update anything that may not be working for both the family and the nanny.
2.) Clear and Direct Communication: Constant and clear commutation is key in any working environment and especially in your home with your nanny. Continue to let your nanny know what a great job she is doing and also the things you would like for her to change. If there is ever anything that bothers you, please let your nanny know so she has the opportunity to shift with the newly communicated expectations.
3.) Adding More Responsiblity: If your family decides to add more responsibilities to your nanny’s duties such as extra cleaning, cooking, added children, and/or any additional household managing items, that was not stated on the Family & Nanny Agreement, an increase in pay needs to be negotiated. You will also need to updated and sign a new Family & Nanny Agreement form to document the changes in writing.