The desire to be part of a nanny share is growing in popularity across the county, and for good reason.
A nanny share is when two families employ one nanny to care for their children at the same time, splitting the cost of the nanny’s total compensation. This arrangement offers families a way to access the high-quality, in-home nanny care they want for their child, and the benefit of sharing costs with a like-minded family. But for a nanny share to be successful it requires thoughtful planning, careful alignment between families, and a smart hiring strategy.
At ABC Nannies, we periodically receive requests from families who want us to match them with another family for their nanny share. While we specialize in helping families hire the right employee for a nanny share, we do not facilitate matches between families. Why? In our experience, the most successful shares are built on open communication, shared values, and mutual trust; nuanced factors best assessed and agreed upon directly by the families involved.
Choosing a family to share a nanny with involves more than coordinating schedules or proximity to one another. It requires finding a family whose home environment, parenting philosophy, and expectations for in-home care align with your own. In this blog, we’ll discuss exactly HOW to find the right family to create a nanny share with.
Step 1: How to Find a Nanny Share Partner
Finding a compatible family is the most important, and often most time-consuming, part of creating a nanny share. You’re looking for a family you can trust with your child, so the stakes are high. Here are a few creative ways to find a compatible family:
- Community Groups and Forums: Local Facebook groups, such as Mile High Mamas or Raising Arizona Kids, and neighborhood platforms like Nextdoor can be valuable resources for finding families interested in nanny shares.
- Parenting Networks: Engage with local parenting groups, both online and in-person, to meet families with similar childcare needs.
- Workplace Connections: Colleagues or other parents in your workplace may be seeking similar childcare arrangements.
- Community Centers, Gyms and Libraries: These venues often host family-friendly events where you can meet other parents.
- Preschools and Daycares: Even if you’re not currently enrolled, these institutions may have bulletin boards or staff who can connect you with other families.
Step 2: Understand the Structure of a Nanny Share
Nanny shares can look different depending on your family’s needs. Consider the following logistics when planning your nanny share:
- Scheduling Compatibility: Do both families need the same/similar hour each week? Aligning work hours, vacation plans, and flexibility needs is vital. Disparities in schedules can lead to complications down the road.
- Location: Will care take place in one home or rotate between homes? If you’re rotating, how often? Living within 5-15 minutes of each other simplifies logistics, reduces commute times, and enhances the feasibility of shared care locations.
- Children’s Ages and Compatibility: Are you okay having two or three children of different ages or are you looking for another child of similar age? While having children with similar ages means aligned developmental needs and routines, it shouldn’t be a deal breaker. Many nanny shares have children of different ages – the key is compatibility.
- Pay and Financial Agreement: Will each family pay the same or will one family in the share pay a premium (two children vs. one child)? Discussing and agreeing upon the nanny’s compensation, payment schedules, and any additional expenses upfront ensures both families are committed to the share.
- It’s important to note nannies who are part of a nanny share earn a premium hourly rate due to the added complexity of caring for children from two households. However, since families split the cost, nanny shares typically offer substantial savings compared to private nannies, and even many daycare centers.
Step 3: Use a Reputable Agency to Hire a Nanny (Not a Facebook Post)
Once you’ve found a great family to share with, partnering with a professional nanny agency like ABC Nannies can streamline the hiring process and ensure a successful arrangement:
- Thorough Vetting: Agencies conduct in-depth interviews, verify references (and there are a lot of experienced nannies out there with bad refs!), and assess qualifications to ensure nannies are trustworthy and experienced, and run comprehensive background checks and screening before placement.
- Expert Matching: Agencies like have access to a pool of vetted nannies and can match you with candidates who have experience in nanny share arrangements. More established agencies like ABC, have 100+ pre-screened, experienced candidates at their fingertips.
- Legal Compliance: Agencies can assist with employment agreements, provide insight on tax obligations (and deductions), and labor laws, ensuring both families and the nanny are protected.
- Ongoing Support: Professional agencies provide continued assistance, addressing any issues that may arise during the nanny’s employment.
Discover the ABC Nannies difference. With over 30 years of proven success, ABC connects exceptional nannies and household staff with local families who value professionalism, reliability and top-notch care.
- If you found this article useful, you might also enjoy these helpful articles: ‘How to Hire a Nanny: The True Cost of a DIY Nanny Search‘ and ‘Strategies for a Successful Nanny Share.’
- If you’re a family looking to hire a nanny, we’d love to help. Complete our Family Application here.
- If you’re a candidate looking for your next position, apply here.
