Landing your dream nanny job doesn’t end when the interview wraps up. What you do in the hours and days afterward can be just as important as the conversation itself.

In this article, we’ll walk you through what to do after the interview, including following up with the parents, sending along references, communication tips, what to do once you receive an offer, and how to negotiate with confidence.

Pro Tip: Nannies, don’t be nervous to negotiate the offer. Many parents have never hired a nanny before and don’t know what the industry standards are. Help educate the parents about what nannies expect.

 

Tax season has a way of sneaking up on everyone, and before you sit down with the dreaded Form 1040, it helps to know exactly where you can save. That’s why we teamed up with Tom Breedlove from Homepay, one of the most popular nanny payroll companies in the United States, to break down everything you need to know.

Below, we cover how to save money on your 2022 taxes as well as the changes you need to be aware of if you are a nanny or a family working with a nanny in 2023. There are several tax breaks that can add up to real savings for your household, and we want to make sure you don’t leave money on the table.

 

Once your application stands out and a family reaches out, the next step is the interview, and a little preparation goes a long way. In this guide, we cover how to nail the job interview as a nanny, from getting ready for the phone screen to making a strong impression in person.

Pro Tip: Showing up 5-10 minutes early to the in-person interview and letting the parents know that you are early is a GREAT way to show that you are organized and punctual.

 

As the economy is changing, it’s becoming less of a “nanny market” and more of a “parents market”. Over the last several months, we’ve seen a big uptick in multiple nannies applying for the same position and nannies who are available to begin working as soon as possible.

When there are fewer available positions to apply for, it’s important to make sure you stand out from the crowd when searching for a new family to work with.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to apply for a position so that your application stands out. Below, we cover preparation, your resume, the application itself, your cover letter, and how to follow up.

 

Not sure how much to pay your nanny? Nanny pay rates used to be pretty static. But with COVID-19, inflation, high demand and a nationwide shortage of nannies, pay rates have dramatically increased across the United States over the past year.

Below, we walk you through how to determine an accurate nanny pay rate, and don’t forget to check out our Pay Rate Worksheet!

You can use the worksheet to determine a pay rate range for your specific childcare situation no matter where you live in the United States. And it’s 100% FREE to use!

We hope you find this guide useful, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you need any advice about your specific situation!

 

Have you ever had a “Crafternoon” with your kids or nanny kids?

As the winter months drag on and spring slowly begins, it’s easy to run out of ideas for keeping little ones entertained when you’re stuck indoors.

Below are three affordable, spring-themed arts and crafts projects that are guaranteed to brighten your child’s day (and yours!).

Pro Tip: The pine cone feeder project is a real crowd-pleaser. Kids love watching the birds and squirrels eat all of the seeds and peanut butter, and it often leads to some great conversations about local wildlife ☺️

 

Is the United States headed for a recession?

We’ve seen a big uptick in the number of nannies laid off over the last couple of weeks. Most are reporting that this is due to one of the parents they work with being laid off themselves.

Nannies, while you may not be able to avoid a lay off, there are steps you can take now to prepare in case you find yourself unemployed.

Below, we share six tips to help you recession-proof your nanny career.

Pro Tip: An emergency savings fund can make a huge difference if you are laid off and need to find a new position. Even saving $20/week can create a $1,000 emergency fund over the course of a year!

 

Considering hiring a live in nanny? Or perhaps you are a nanny who is thinking of offering live in childcare?

One of the most common questions we receive from parents about live in nanny care is:

“If I have a live in nanny, that means I can pay them a lower hourly rate, right?”

What do you think? Is this true or false?

Below, we break down the pros and cons of live in nanny care – from both the parent’s and the nanny’s perspective – so you can decide whether a live in position is right for you before you commit.

Pro Tip: In our experience, the most important issue to keep in mind when considering live in nanny care is everyone’s privacy.

 

Today we’re tackling a subject that everyone hopes they never have to deal with…

Car accidents!

We recently came across an article where a nanny was involved in a car accident on her way to work. Upon letting her nanny parents know, the parents didn’t even think to ask if she was okay and later, took to social media to complain about their “dramatic” nanny.

What? Yikes!

That’s not the way a car accident should be handled.

Below, we walk through what the nanny and the family should do if the nanny is ever involved in a car accident. We hope you find it useful!

PRO TIP: Ensuring that your nanny has a signed medical release form for your children is important so that they can receive immediate medical care if needed.

 

Working with a nanny means that your normal private space (i.e. your home) is being shared with someone from outside your own family. Your nanny might have access to information about your family that others don’t and that the family might not want shared.

Parents – what policies should you put into place to honor your family’s privacy? Nannies – what can you do to ensure the family you work with is comfortable sharing their private space with you?

Below, we cover our top privacy tips that both nannies and families should keep in mind when working together.

Here’s what we’ll discuss: 

– Photo Policy

– Social Media Policy

– General Privacy

– Non-Disclosure Agreement