+1 855 997 0206
Sun-Sat 9am - 9pm ET
Lawdistrict Logo

Free Nanny Contract Template

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.

Trusted by 1,365 users.

Who will provide the services under this agreement?

Make Document
Last Update March 18, 2026

Fill forms in a few steps

Save, print & download

Done in 5 minutes

What is a Nanny Agreement?Nanny Contract SampleNanny vs BabysitterHow to Legally Hire a NannyWhat to Include in a Nanny ContractOther Business DocumentsOther Types of Service ContractsFAQs About Nanny Contracts

What is a Nanny Agreement?

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:

  • Job responsibilities
  • Work hours
  • Compensation
  • Benefits
  • Other essential employment terms

A Nanny Contract establishes expectations upfront. It helps prevent misunderstandings, and establishes a professional working relationship.

It may also include policies on:

  • Time off
  • Tax withholdings
  • Confidentiality
  • Termination procedures.

This written contract provides legal protection for both the employer and the caregiver.

Nanny Contract Sample

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.

Nanny Contract Form Sample
Start a Nanny Contract
PDFWORD

Nanny vs Babysitter

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

How to Legally Hire a Nanny

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.

Interview Candidates

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.

Perform the Background Check

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.

Agree on Salary

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.

Write the Nanny Contract

Draft a formal agreement outlining job responsibilities, work schedule, compensation, benefits, and termination policies to avoid misunderstandings.

Set up payment and tax

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.

What to Include in a Nanny Contract

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:

  • Start and end dates
  • Address of the worksite
  • Live-in accommodations (if applicable)
  • Work schedule and maximum hours per week
  • Job duties and responsibilities
  • Performance reviews
  • Compensation, additional payments, and raises
  • Payment terms and schedule
  • Holidays, sick days, and paid time off
  • Additional benefits
  • Photo and social media policy
  • Confidentiality clause and non-disclosure agreement (NDA)
  • House rules, forbidden acts, and nanny cameras
  • Transportation policy
  • Tax rules
  • Contract amendment and termination policy

Other Business Documents

Other Types of Service Contracts

FAQs About 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:

  • Bottle-feeding
  • Changing diapers
  • Planning activities for the kids
  • Transporting the children

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.

Preview of your Nanny Service Agreement

SERVICE AGREEMENT
This Service Agreement (hereinafter, the "Agreement"), is dated as of _________ (hereinafter, the "Effective Date"), and is entered into by and between the following parties:

_________ of _________, _________ and _________ (hereinafter, the "Client"),

and

_________ of _________, _________ and _________ (hereinafter, the "Contractor").
1. SERVICES

During the term of the Agreement, _________ shall perform the following services for _________ (hereinafter, the "Services"):

     •

2. PAYMENT AMOUNT AND METHOD

During the Term of the Agreement, the Client agrees to pay the Contractor as follows:

Regular payments of $ hourly.
_________ agrees to pay, in addition to the principal and interest due hereon, all reasonable attorney fees, plus all other costs and expenses of collection and enforcement.

In addition to any other right or remedy provided by law, the failure of _________ to pay for the Services when due shall be considered a material breach of this contract, and _________ may terminate this Agreement and/or seek legal remedies.
3. TERM

This Agreement will commence on the Effective Date and shall continue until completion of the Services by the Contractor, unless earlier terminated as provided herein, or unless extended by mutual agreement expressed in writing signed by both parties prior to the completion of the Services by the Contractor.
4. OWNERSHIP OF WORK

The Contractor acknowledges and agrees that all intellectual property and related material, including but not limited to any copyrightable works, ideas, discoveries, inventions, patents, products or other information (hereinafter, the "Work Product"), performed under this Agreement shall be considered "Work Made for Hire" as defined in the U.S. Copyright laws and, therefore, shall be owned by and be for the express benefit of the Client.

If requested by the Client, the Contractor will provide and execute all necessary documentation to confirm or perfect the ownership of the Client to the Work Product.
5. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR

The Contractor certifies that, in providing the Services under this Agreement, he is acting as an independent contractor and not as an employee or an agent. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be deemed to constitute an employment, agency, joint venture or partnership relationship between the parties.
6. NON-EXCLUSIVE CLAUSE

The Parties hereby acknowledge that this Agreement is non-exclusive, and nothing herein shall prevent either Party from entering into similar or same agreements with third parties.
7. EVENTS OF DEFAULT

The occurrence of any of the following events shall constitute and is hereinafter referred to as an "Event of Default":

a. If either party fails to make a required payment when due.

b. If either party becomes unable to perform its duties and fails to make available or deliver the Services in the time and manner provided for in this Contract.

c. If either party becomes or is declared insolvent or bankrupt.

d. If either party's property becomes subject to any levy, seizure, general assignment for the benefit of creditors, application or sale for or by any creditor or government agency.
8. REMEDIES

In the event that either party (hereinafter, the "Defaulting Party") fails to perform any of its material obligations under this contract, or if any one of the hereinabove described Events of Default occurs which causes damage to the other Party (hereinafter, the "Non-defaulting Party"), it shall be considered a material breach of this Agreement.

In such an event, the Non-defaulting Party may notify the Defaulting Party in writing and request it to rectify and correct such breach of contract within _________ working day(s) from the effective date of such notice. If the Defaulting Party fails to cure the default(s) within such period of time, this agreement will be automatically terminated.

The defaulting Party shall be liable for any such breach pursuant to the applicable laws.
9. FORCE MAJEURE

Neither party shall in no event be held liable or responsible to the other party nor be deemed to have defaulted under or breached this Agreement for any delay or failure in fulfilling or performing any obligation under this agreement when such delay or failure is resulting from circumstances beyond its reasonable control (hereinafter, "Force Majeure causes").

The term Force Majeure shall include, without limitation, acts of God, acts of civil or military authorities, insurrections, vandalism, riots, wars, lock-outs, embargoes, acts of nature, fire, natural disasters, epidemics, work stoppages or other labor disputes, or supplier failures.

A Party claiming the benefit of this provision shall, as soon as reasonably practicable after the occurrence of any such event:
(a) provide written notice to the other Party of the nature and extent of any such Force Majeure cause; and
(b) use reasonable efforts to remove any such causes and resume performance under this Agreement, as soon as reasonably practicable.
10. DISPUTE RESOLUTION

In the event a claim, dispute or controversy arises out of or in connection with this Agreement, the parties agree to attempt to resolve the claim, dispute or controversy by conducting good faith negotiations.

If the parties are unable to settle the matter between themselves within 30 days, the dispute shall thereafter be resolved by binding arbitration under the then current Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association.
11. ENTIRE AGREEMENT

This document constitutes the entire agreement and understanding between the parties, and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, whether oral or written, with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement.
12. SEVERABILITY

This Agreement will be enforced to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.

If for any reason any term or provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid or unenforceable, such invalidity or unenforceability will not affect any other term or provision of this Agreement. However, the parties shall cease performing such invalid or unenforceable provisions and negotiate in good faith to replace such invalid or unenforceable provisions with a valid, legal, and enforceable provision consistent with the original intent.
13. AMENDMENTS

This Agreement may be amended or modified as needed. However, any modification, variation or amendment of this Agreement shall only be valid if made in writing form and duly signed by the parties obligated under the amendment.
14. GOVERNING LAW

This Agreement shall be governed, construed and interpreted in accordance with the Laws of the State of .
15. NOTICES

Any and all notices, requests, demands or other communications to be given under this Agreement must be (i) given in writing and (ii) personally delivered or mailed by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, or transmitted by electronic mail transmission to the party to whom such notice or communication is directed, to the mailing address or electronic mail address of such party as set forth in the opening paragraph of this Agreement, or to such other address or email address as any party may from time to time notify the other.
16. WAIVER

The waiver by either party of a breach, default, delay or omission of any of the provisions of this Agreement by the other party will not be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach of the same or other provisions.
17. ATTORNEY'S FEES

In the event that any action is instituted to enforce or interpret the validity of this Agreement or any of its provisions, the prevailing party in such action shall be entitled to reasonable attorney's fees, costs and necessary disbursements in addition to any other available remedies.
18. ASSIGNMENT

This Agreement and all rights and obligations hereunder may not be assigned by either party without prior written consent of the other party.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

Service Provider: 
 
  
By: _______________________Date: ________
        

 

Service Recipient: 
  
By: _______________________Date: ________
        

 

Make Document

Try Lawdistrict Now

Instant and complete access to our entire library of legal forms

Edit, download and print in PDF from any device

Save time and money on legal document creation

Get Unlimited Access Now