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Prepare a customized nanny contract to define the rights and responsibilities of both the parents and the nanny. Outline the scope, date, and payment terms of nanny services.
Last Update February 6th, 2026
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A Nanny Contract is a formal agreement between a family and their nanny. This document serves as a clear guide for both parties. It typically details:
A Nanny Contract establishes expectations upfront. It helps prevent misunderstandings, and establishes a professional working relationship.
It may also include policies on:
This written contract provides legal protection for both the employer and the caregiver.
We recommend looking at a 100% verified sample nanny contract before starting your own.
Use our example below to get a feel for the points to cover and details to include in your own customized agreement.
Some child care providers and families use the terms “nanny” and “babysitter” almost interchangeably. While there are similarities between the two, and the exact role can differ from family to family, overall, they have some key differences.
| Nannies | Babysitters | |
|---|---|---|
| Work schedule | Regular, either full-time or part-time | On an as-needed basis |
| Job duties | Child care and safety, child development and learning, planning of activities and other household chores or everyday activities | Child care and safety |
| Contract duration | Long-term | Short-term |
| Compensation | Salary or hourly wage | Per hour or per day |
| Extra benefits | Vacation days, holiday pay, accommodation, food, and other benefits | No specific benefits |
| Taxes | Not always responsible for their own taxes, depending on the contract | Responsible for their own taxes |
Trusting another person to look after your children can be a difficult decision. However, by taking the necessary steps when hiring a nanny, parents can feel confident and secure that their children will be properly taken care of.
Start by asking friends or family for trusted recommendations. If no referrals are available, search for candidates on verified websites. Conduct interviews to assess their experience, skills, and childcare approach.
Before making a decision, check references and conduct a background check to verify the candidate’s history and reliability.
It’s a good idea to speak directly with previous employers to gain insight into their work ethic, trustworthiness, and ability to handle various childcare situations.
Research average nanny wages in your area to ensure a fair offer. Keep negotiations professional and respectful, as this person will become an integral part of your family’s daily life. The median hourly rate for nannies is about $14.60.
Draft a formal agreement outlining job responsibilities, work schedule, compensation, benefits, and termination policies to avoid misunderstandings.
Establish payroll processes, withhold applicable taxes, and make sure that your agreement complies with employment laws. This is done to protect both the family and the nanny.
To help you create your document, use one of our Nanny Contract templates. By using a pre-made agreement as a foundation, you can help yourself add the crucial terms necessary in a contract.
You can then have a legal professional review your document to make sure it is legally valid.
A nanny contract requires various details in order to be legally binding and to ensure it holds up in court. Having all the necessary information also helps avoid future misunderstandings and conflicts between the nanny and the family.
Below are the most important points that should be included in most nanny contracts:
A nanny contract needs to be prepared carefully, to ensure no crucial provisions are missing when it’s signed. To find out more about how these agreements work and must be prepared, check our FAQs below.
Nanny salaries usually vary significantly depending on the nanny’s experience and reputation. The more parents can vouch for their abilities, usually the higher they’ll charge you.
However, the cost of a nanny can also differ based on the range of work duties they’ll have, the number of children in care, the neighborhood in which they’ll be working, and various other factors. In general, most nanny salaries are between $15-20 per hour.
Overall, nanny duties typically focus on keeping children safe, providing daily care, and meal preparation.
Typical tasks include:
Some parents will want a live-in nanny that helps with tasks around the house as well as child care. Others will look for a nanny more specialized in child development and learning working on a part-time basis.
Legally, you are not required to tell your nanny that you’ve installed a hidden camera in your home for video-only recordings. However, it may be illegal to record their voice without their permission. Make sure to check the specific rules in your state.
If you do install a camera, you should explain that it’s just for your peace of mind and the child’s safety, not a lack of trust.
