I will be the first to admit that when I started the process of hiring nannies to care for my children, I had no idea how to go about finding, interviewing, hiring and working with a care provider.
Our intent with this page is to provide a “one stop shop” for all of your questions and concerns – whether you are a care provider or a family.
If you have a question that’s not answered here, please feel free to send us an email or call us at (425) 243-7032.
Finding or Offering Childcare
Using Nanny Parent Connection
Using Care, Urbansitter, etc.
Using CraigsList
Using an agency
How long will it take to find a nanny?
Interviewing and Hiring
Best interview practices/questions to ask
Writing and presenting a job offer
Background checks
Setting expectations
Care provider contracts
Working Together
Monitoring your care provider
Meals and rest breaks
Vehicle safety
Auto insurance
Reimbursing provider for mileage
Liability insurance
Health insurance
Performance reviews
Paying your Provider
Frequently asked questions
Current pay rates
Hourly and overtime pay guidelines
Minimum wage
Pay intervals
Tracking hours/record keeping
“Banking” hours
Taxes – Overview
Taxes – Deductions
Taxes – Breaks
Taxes – Workers Compensation
Nanny Shares
What’s a nanny share?
Are they legal?
How to set up a nanny share
Additional Information
DSHS Childcare Subsidy
Seattle Childcare Voucher Program
Seattle Milk Fund
Finding/Offering Child Care – Using Nanny Parent Connection
For Parents
The best option in the Puget Sound region for reaching thousands of care providers immediately is the Nanny Parent Connection. As a member, you can post a care opportunity “advertisement” to our Jobs Board or use our Member Search feature and immediately begin hearing from providers who are interested in your opportunity. Many nanny share relationships begin here as well!
Below is a list of all of the tools we currently offer parents as they search for childcare. Don’t forget that our team can handle the entire search, vetting and placement process for you with our Signature Concierge Service!
Want to learn more? Check out this video “ Need To Find A Nanny FAST? We Can Help! 99% Success Rate! “ on our YouTube channel:
I’M LOOKING FOR A LONG TERM, FULL OR PART TIME NANNY…
Post to the Jobs Board: Showcase your childcare need to hundreds of nannies and sitters each week by posting to our Jobs Board. Interested candidates can apply directly to your job or message you for more additional message. Ready to post to the Jobs Board? Please ensure your Profile is complete and then send us an email and we will begin building your Jobs Board post!
Search Member Profiles: Looking for a care provider with a special skill or ability? Check out our Member Search tool! This tool allows you to search all member profiles for specific information such as languages spoken, preferred transportation method, location, etc.
Ask our Team: Our team spends almost every waking moment working within our community. If you have an active Family/Parent membership and need help finding childcare, just ask and we would be happy to assist you!
Want to learn more? Check out this video “How Much Does Nanny Childcare TRULY Cost?“ on our YouTube channel:
I’M LOOKING FOR A SHORT TERM or temporary NANNY or sitter…
Search Member Profiles: Looking for a care provider with a special skill or ability? Check out our Member Search tool! This tool allows you to search all member profiles for specific information such as languages spoken, preferred transportation method, location, etc.
Last Minute Care Text Service: If you urgently need child care in the next couple of hours or days, check out our Last Minute Care Service. Hundreds of nannies and sitters are signed up to receive text message alerts when parents and agencies need last minute child care.
Verified Care Provider Request: Need a care provider in the coming days or weeks but don’t have time to run a background check, confirm references, etc.? We’ve got you covered! Our Verified Care Providers are screened in advance by our team and have a clean background check, verified references, and current First Aid/CPR certification.
Ask our Team: Our team spends almost every waking moment working within our community. If you have an active Family/Parent membership and need help finding childcare, just ask and we would be happy to assist you!
Our site’s extensive library helps to provide support for every aspect of your journey into the care provider world. Our Pay Calculator helps to take the guesswork out of doing payroll for your provider or check out our Payroll Service if you’d like our team to handle payroll processing. Have a question about employing or working with a nanny that you can’t find an answer to? Ask us! With decades of experience both as child care providers as well as parents employing care providers, our expert team can answer any questions you might have and help navigate the experience of finding and hiring a nanny or sitter. .
We are a woman-owned company and your membership helps support a local Seattle business!
Want to learn more? Check out this video “ How To Find A Nanny In A Hot Market! “ on our YouTube channel:
For Care Providers
By becoming a member, you instantly have access to the largest group of parents seeking childcare in the Puget Sound region! You can browse available job postings or create your own posting that highlights your unique qualities and what you’re looking for in a nanny family. You also have access to our expert team who can jump in to help with your search!
Below is a list of all of the tools we currently offer providers. Don’t forget to check out our Learning Guide Service if you have education experience and know-how working with groups of children!
I’M LOOKING FOR A LONG TERM, FULL OR PART TIME FAMILY…
Browse the Jobs Board: Browse dozens of detailed full time and part time child care opportunities on our Jobs Board. Posts include compensation, schedule, job duties details about the family and much more. See a position that interests you? Apply directly from the Jobs Board!
Search Member Profiles: Looking for a family who needs a provider with a special skill or ability? Check out our Member Search tool! This tool allows you to search all member profiles for specific information such as languages spoken, preferred transportation method, location, etc.
Ask our Team: Our team spends almost every waking moment working within our community. If you have an active Care Provider – Annual membership and need help finding childcare, just ask and we would be happy to assist you!
Want to learn more? Check out this video “How To Write An Amazing Nanny Resume“ on our YouTube channel:
I’M LOOKING FOR A SHORT TERM or temporary CHILDCARE OPPORTUNITY…
Search Member Profiles: Looking for a family that speaks a certain language? Check out our Member Search tool! This tool allows you to search all member profiles for specific information such as languages spoken, preferred transportation method, location, etc.
Last Minute Care Text Service: If you would like to offer last minute care, check out our Last Minute Care Service. Receive text messages from parents and agencies who are in need of urgent or last minute child care. Fill your schedule and earn more!
Verified Care Provider Request: Want to stand out from other childcare providers? Become a Verified Care Provider! Our Verified Care Providers are screened in advance by our team and have a clean background check, verified references, and current First Aid/CPR certification. Care providers that have become “verified” report that they earn more because parents can hire them immediately – all of the due diligence has already been completed by the Nanny Parent Connection team!
Ask our Team: Our team spends almost every waking moment working within our community. If you have an active Care Provider – Annual membership and need help finding childcare, just ask and we would be happy to assist you!
You asked and we have answered! Just as parents can leave feedback regarding their experience working with you, you are able to leave feedback for them as well through our Member Feedback system. Why shouldn’t a care provider be able to have insight as to what kind of employer a family is?
The care providers who are members of the Nanny Parent Connection are a huge asset to our amazing community – we appreciate and value you! We support industry standards and have detailed these standards in our resources section for parents to understand. Do you have an idea for how to make the community better, or did we miss something in the library? Let us know! It’s easy to reach us directly by calling (425) 243-7032 or email. We are always looking for ways we can help continue to provide support for the important work that you do.
Finding/Offering Child Care – Using Care, UrbanSitter, etc.
For Parents
In the journey of building this website, it’s been interesting to learn that many of the large, national sites for hiring nannies and sitters have far fewer care provider members in the Puget Sound region than the Nanny Parent Connection! Job postings there can be clunky to create and are only visible to those who find your listing in a search. My personal experience with several of these large, national sites was that I would reach out to many care providers but have few to none of them contact me back. Some of these sites are expensive to use and can have confusing cancellation policies. You don’t get to interact with other families in these groups and there is no sense of community.
Want to learn more? Check out these videos “ Episode #4: Where Do I Find A Nanny?“, and “How To Run A Successful Nanny Search – Working With A Nanny From A-Z Series – Ep.6” on our YouTube channel:
For Care Providers
Many care providers have been using these online sites for years, and for some it works well. I have heard numerous tales from care providers that “scammers” have become so prolific that they are now leery of using these sites or won’t use them at all. I have also heard about retaliatory reviews made by parents on care providers’ profiles, and that these sites don’t provide quality support to care providers.
Finding/Offering Child Care – Using CraigsList
For Parents
Craigslist is sort of the “wild west” when it comes to finding childcare. Yes, it is an option, but it is not regulated in any way. Anyone can create an ad and there is no screening process for users, accountability, or community input regarding the care provider. Most care providers are not checking Craigslist several times per day for new childcare wanted opportunities.
Want to learn more? Check out this video “Episode #5: How To Write A Great Nanny Advertisement?“ on our YouTube channel:
For Care Providers
While Craigslist is an option for finding childcare positions, most families choose not to post there. People who use the site are not screened or held accountable.
Finding/Offering Child Care – Using an Agency
For Parents
Working with an agency is the most expensive way of finding a nanny. It can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $15,000 to work with one of the larger agencies in Seattle. An agency can take the guesswork out of finding and screening a nanny (many agencies find their nannies here at the Nanny Parent Connection) and some parents want that. Some agencies offer back up care for a healthy fee. However, many parents can’t fit these premium prices into their budgets and would rather approach the search for and employment of a nanny with a little sweat equity.
Many families that have used agencies in the past have commented that they have had better success and more control of the process utilizing our community than they did with an agency.
If you are considering working with an agency, take a moment to check out our Concierge Service. We handle the entire search and vetting process for you for a reasonable price. To date, we have a 99% success rate and our service is MUCH more affordable than our local competitors.
Check Out This Video “ Need To Find A Nanny FAST? We Can Help! 99% Success Rate! “ On Our YouTube Channel:
For Care Providers
Agencies can have certain requirements of you for qualifications and they can decide which families you make contact with. However, usually their services are of no cost to the nanny. Many agencies only work with a few families at a time so consider working with several agencies to ensure you find a job quickly.
How long will it take to find a nanny?
One question that I receive several times per week is, “how long will it take to find a nanny?”. Recently, we surveyed our members on how long it took them to find their nanny (we also asked nannies what they recommend). Overwhelmingly, our members responded that …Login or signup to read more!
Want to learn more? Check out this video “Episode #1: What Child Care Options Are Available To You?“ on our YouTube channel:
Interviewing and Hiring – Best Interview Practices/Questions to Ask
Best practices
Once you have decided to hire a potential care provider, it is very important to conduct a comprehensive set of interviews. A phone interview is a good first screening tool for a potential provider.It is common to hold the second interview in the home where care will be provided, potentially with the children present to you can see how a provider interacts with them.
Tips from parents:
“Interview as many people as you need but don’t bring one specific person back for more than two interviews. After two, if you’re not sure, …Login or signup to read more!
Want to learn more? Check out these videos “Top Tips for Interviewing Nannies – Working With A Nanny From A-Z Series – Ep. 7 (Part 1 and 2)“ on our YouTube channel:
Interviewing and Hiring – Writing and Presenting a Job Offer
Found a provider candidate you want to hire? Congratulations! The next step (before running a background check) is to develop and present a job offer to the candidate. Prior to presenting the job offer, I always spend a few hours completing the following (Providers – these are good tips for you as well):
Connect with the provider on social media. Spend some time and review their Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, etc. profiles and make sure you are comfortable with what you are seeing. If you notice something that concerns you, talk to the provider! Don’t automatically drop the idea of working with them – there may be an explanation.
Search the web. Spending a few minutes searching the provider (or parents’) name on Google or Bing can be important. Look for anything …Login or signup to read more!
Want to learn more? Check out this video “How To Make A Job Offer To A Nanny – Working With A Nanny From A-Z Series – Ep.8“ on our YouTube channel:
Interviewing and Hiring – Background Checks
Once you have decided to hire a care provider and they have accepted the job offer, it is very important to conduct a thorough background check. Background checks usually take a minimum of 2-3 days and should be completed once the job offer is accepted by the provider candidate. The job offer, of course, would be contingent on the background check coming back clear. …Login or signup to read more!
Sources for conducting background checks:
I have spoken with dozens of parents and agency representatives over the past couple of years about nanny/sitter background checks. I consistently hear that there aren’t enough options available and that the options that are available are too expensive or too complicated.
We set out to create a better solution! Our goals were to:
• Create several background check packages that are affordable for everyone
• But not take away important aspects of the background checks in the name of affordability
• Have the background check order process not take more than five minutes
We were able to achieve all of our goals! Order your Nanny Parent Connection background check today by clicking here!
If you compare our background check packages with the others available today, you will find that for the features we are offering, our background check packages are the MOST AFFORDABLE IN THE UNITED STATES!
Seriously, take a few minutes and Google “nanny background checks“, look at what others are offering for child care background checks and compare with ours. We have more features for a lower price and we don’t surprise you with hidden fees.
And we were able to go a step further and offer even more discounted prices for our registered members.
A comprehensive background check should be complemented with a thorough interview/interviews, checking references, trusting your intuition, unannounced visits to check on interactions between the child(ren) and provider, and potentially using a nanny cam for monitoring.
Want to learn more? Check out this video “Child Abuse! Why You Should Never Skip the Background Check“ on our YouTube channel:
Interviewing and Hiring – Setting Expectations
The best tip I can share about setting expectations is to sit down and envision a typical day with your family/provider. Detail every aspect of the day that you can think of in the contract and any scenarios that you can envision coming up. …Login or signup to read more!
Want to learn more? Check out this video “How To Successfully Onboard Your Nanny – Working With A Nanny From A-Z Series – Ep.10“ on our YouTube channel:
Interviewing and Hiring – Care Provider Contracts
Most parents and care providers are not attorneys. That’s why we have worked with our attorney to create an easy to understand care provider contract specific to Washington. Will your nanny or sitter be employed in Seattle? This agreement has you covered. Click here to learn more about our nanny/babysitter contract.
Starting or joining a nanny share? Check out our nanny share contract here.
Both our nanny/babysitter contract and nanny share contract include all applicable Washington State employment laws (and if you live in Seattle, City of Seattle employment laws). Our team monitors changes to the law and updates our contracts in real time.
Having a solid contract in place is crucial to setting things up for success with your provider. It will help to outline clear expectations on both sides and can be an enormous help if situations that may otherwise become difficult to address come up later on. Consider what is important to you as an employee at your place of work, or what benefits you wish you had that may be within your budget for your provider. This person will be caring for your most precious asset – your children! It’s important that they feel fairly compensated and valued.
Here are some suggestions …Login or signup to read more!
Want to learn more? Check out this video “Everything You Need To Know About Nanny Contracts – Working With A Nanny From A-Z Series – Ep.9 “ on our YouTube channel:
Working Together – Monitoring your Care Provider
Some families prefer to utilize “nanny cams” to provide peace of mind that the nanny is interacting well/properly with their children, or to find out if concerning behavior is occurring. Video recording your nanny, even without their consent, is legal in all 50 states, so long as the recording is happening …Login or signup to read more!
Want to learn more? Check out this video “Should I Restrict My Nanny’s Cell Phone Use?“ on our YouTube channel:
Working Together – Meals and Rest Breaks
If you will be hiring a nanny to work with your family and you live in the City of Seattle, please ensure that you are aware of specific laws regarding meals and rest breaks. For more information on this, please read this article. Discuss with your provider to determine which options below are acceptable to both of you (the following information is copied directly from our nanny contract and nanny share contract). …Login or signup to read more!
Want to learn more? Check out this video “Should Your Nanny Get Rest Breaks?“ on our YouTube channel:
Working Together – Vehicle Safety
Even with our extensive public transit systems, the reality is that your care provider may need to transport your children in a personal vehicle from time to time. Here are some tips to make sure that your children are safe: …Login or signup to read more!
Want to learn more? Check out this video “Six Tips For When Your Nanny Is Driving The Kids“ on our YouTube channel:
Working Together – Auto Insurance
Will your care provider be transporting your children in his/her car, or will you provide a car for the provider to drive?
If the provider is using his/her own car:
Consider having a trusted mechanic inspect the provider’s car prior to her driving your child(ren). This will allow you to ensure that the car is well maintained, has passed a safety inspection, is equipped with airbags and has seat belts that work properly.
Ask to look at the provider’s auto insurance policy and be sure he/she has adequate coverage. Is the policy valid and current? Is the policy in the provider’s name or someone else’s? …Login or signup to read more!
Working Together – Reimbursing Provider for Mileage
If you pay your care provider as an employee (which you should be) and buy workers’ compensation coverage, the provider cannot sue you for a job-related injury. If injured on the job, he/she will be limited to collecting her medical bills and lost wages under the workers compensation coverage. Your home and umbrella liability coverage will not …Login or signup to read more!
Working Together – Health Insurance
Will you offer your nanny health insurance or a stipend toward health insurance?
There is no requirement for household employers in Washington to pay for their employee’s health insurance. However, employers who pay for at least 50% of their care provider’s health insurance premiums are eligible for the Health Insurance Tax Credit for Small Employers. This tax break provides a credit of up to 50% of the employer’s contributions. The policy must be purchased through the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) if there is more than one employee.
The Affordable Care Act has some rules that families must follow to maintain …Login or signup to read more!
Working Together – Performance Reviews
Regular performance reviews are recommended. Work with your provider to establish a mutually agreed to interval. Many families/providers agree to an initial review after 60 or 90 days. After the initial review, agree to a review quarterly or every six months. …Login or signup to read more!
Want to learn more? Check out the below videos:
Paying your Provider – Frequently Asked Questions
Thank you to Nanny Parent Connection member Becki Brack who is a Partner and Certified Public Accountant at Growing Numbers Accounting and Bookkeeping for providing this information.
#1: Is a nanny or babysitter an employee?
According to the IRS, yes, a person is an employee if you are telling them what they will do and how they will do it. It doesn’t matter whether the work is full time or part time, or whether you pay the worker on an hourly, daily, or weekly basis, or by the job. Since nannies or babysitters are told what to do with the children and how to do it (parenting styles, schedules, etc.), a child care worker is considered an employee as opposed to an independent contractor. That distinction is the difference between providing a W-2 or Form 1099 at year end and changes who is responsible for the employment taxes.
The IRS Publication 926 – Household Employers Tax Guide, provides examples of who a household employee is which includes babysitters, domestic workers and nannies.…Login or signup to read more!
Want to learn more? Check out this video “Top 10 Questions Answered About Working With A Nanny: Part 1 of 2“ on our YouTube channel:
Paying your Provider – Current Pay Rates
Regularly, we survey our community to compile what families are paying (and what care providers are being paid) for various child care arrangements. The infographic below shows a summary of those surveys along with weighted averages. Click here to see the complete list of all pay rate surveys. …Login or signup to read more!
Paying your Provider – Hourly and Overtime Pay Guidelines
Nannies are considered domestic service workers under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). They are NOT considered to be independent contractors and must be provided …Login or signup to read more!
Want to learn more? Check out this video “What Can Happen If You Don’t Pay Your Nanny Legally“ on our YouTube channel:
Paying your Provider – Minimum Wage
Paying your Provider – Pay Intervals
Paying your Provider – Tracking Hours/Record Keeping
The employer may require a domestic service worker to record all hours worked and submit the record to the employer. The obligation to make and keep records, however, is the responsibility of the …Login or signup to read more!
We have a dedicated video on the best tracker apps, and the video includes our recommendation as well! Check out the video below:
Want to learn more? Check out this video “Should Your Nanny Get Rest Breaks?“ on our YouTube channel:
Paying your Provider – “Banking” Hours
Paying your Provider – Taxes – Overview
Taxes can seem rather intimidating to families who employ care providers. Some families use accountants or payroll services such as Growing Numbers Accounting and Bookkeeping. For years, my husband and I determined taxes, deductions, etc. for our providers by hand. We built our Pay Calculator to expedite the process of paying providers. All registered Nanny Parent Connection members are free to use this resource to easily figure out payroll taxes and withholdings.
The following information is intended as a guide to help you learn more about nanny taxes: …Login or signup to read more!
Want to learn more? Check out this video “Top 10 Questions Answered About Working With A Nanny: Part 2 of 2“ on our YouTube channel:
Paying your Provider – Taxes – Deductions
As a household employer, you are responsible for paying to the Internal Revenue Service all Social Security and Medicare taxes, or “Nanny Taxes”. These taxes may either be deducted from the provider’s pay, or you may agree to pay this for the provider yourself. Providers cannot pay their Social Security and Medicare taxes directly.
You are not required …Login or signup to read more!
Want to learn more? Check out this video “What Can Happen If You Don’t Pay Your Nanny Legally“ on our YouTube channel:
Paying your Provider – Taxes – Breaks
Paying your Provider – Taxes – Workers Compensation
Worker’s Compensation is an insurance policy that provides financial assistance for lost wages and medical expense in the event of injury or illness resulting from the workplace. All states have a workers’ compensation system. It entitles workers to prompt payment of benefits and in return, the employee forfeits the right to sue for any injuries from work related accidents regardless of fault.
Household employers in Washington are required …Login or signup to read more!
Want to learn more? Check out these two videos on our YouTube channel:
Nanny Share – What’s a Nanny Share?
IMPORTANT: If you are participating in a nanny share or are considering starting or joining one, I strongly recommend that you read this blog post dealing with the legality of nanny shares in our state.
A nanny share is defined as two families sharing the expense of employing a nanny to care for their children as a group. A nanny share can be a more cost effective option for utilizing a nanny. Care is provided at one home or a combination of both (a nanny share can also occur between more than two families).
Need a nanny share contract? Click here.
A nanny bringing his or her child to work with them is considered a perk of employment and not a nanny share. If you are bringing your child to the nanny’s house that is considered to be in-home childcare that requires the care provider to obtain a license and is not a nanny share.
There are many benefits to belonging to a nanny share, both to the parents and to the children. For parents …Login or signup to read more!
Check out these videos on our YouTube channel:
Nanny Share – Are they Legal?
Surprisingly, nanny shares are technically NOT LEGAL in Washington State.
While putting together this guide, I completed extensive research regarding the legality of nanny shares in the state of Washington. It turns out that when a nanny cares for the children of two separate families at the same time, and this care occurs on a regular basis, it is NOT a legal arrangement …Login or signup to read more!
Nanny Share – How to Set Up a Nanny Share
There are several ways you can find a family to set up a nanny share with. Friends and neighbors are a great choice for the obvious reasons of knowing the family already and proximity, respectively. Some people look to those they meet in childbirth classes, PEPS groups, or online community groups. Our Member Search tool is an excellent way to meet another family whether you have a nanny already or not.
Here are some tips to consider to help set up a successful nanny share situation: …Login or signup to read more!
Want to learn more? Check out this video “ Episode #3: How Different Types of Care Can Impact Your Child“ on our YouTube channel:
Additional Information – DSHS Childcare Subsidy
Depending on whether you qualify, the DSHS Childcare Subsidy can be used to offset your costs for care provided by licensed childcare centers, licensed family childcare homes, relatives who care for your children in their own home, or nannies that come to your home to care for your children. This subsidy is offered through two programs; Working Connections Child Care and Seasonal Child Care. Eligibility is determined by the number of individuals in your family and household income. The subsidy works in a similar fashion to healthcare insurance – the family pays a monthly co-pay. For more information or to see if you qualify, visit the DSHS Childcare Subsidy site by clicking here.
Additional Information – City of Seattle Childcare Assistance Program
The City of Seattle offers a childcare voucher program for working families. Enrolled families receive a voucher which authorizes payments for childcare to qualified centers and care homes. The amount of the voucher is dependent on household income, age of children, and when care is needed. Note that this program is only available for care provided for children aged one month to 13 years old and care must be provided by a licensed center or home which contract with City of Seattle. For more information or to see if you qualify, visit the City of Seattle Childcare Assistance Program site by clicking here.
Additional Information – Seattle Milk Fund
The Seattle Milk Fund is a charitable organization that has been around since 1907! They provide child care grants and family support for parents that are attending qualified colleges or universities in King, Snohomish, and Pierce counties full time. The grants can be used to pay for childcare for the parent’s child(ren) at licensed child care facilities and preschools while attending school. Grants range from $1,000 to $2,000 per quarter plus family support provided throughout the year. The application process for 2022 begins in Jan 2022. For more information or to see if you qualify, visit the Seattle Milk Fund site by clicking here.