Posted - June 13, 2023

How to Pick a Nanny: 8 Types of Nannies You Need to Know

So you’ve determined you’d like to add a nanny to your family. Now where do you start? What type of nanny do you choose? You may not have realized just how many different types of nannies there are. Whether you need a full-time nanny, part-time nanny, or live-in nanny, there are many nanny options to consider before employing one.

If you’re wondering where to start and how to choose a nanny that’s right for you, keep reading. We compiled this list to help you understand how to choose a nanny so you can make the best choice for your family.
How to pick a nanny

1. Full-time Nanny

A full-time nanny’s sole job is to care for your children. They work at least 40 hours a week (often more) caring for your child’s needs, planning activities, and managing child-related responsibilities. 

They focus on raising your children, teaching and engaging them, providing them with attention, and ensuring they are transported anywhere they need to go. Often, full-time nannies have additional training in childhood development or education.

A typical full-time nanny does not live with you, should be paid a weekly rate, and is provided with a range of benefits. You can read more about standard industry benefits for full-time nannies here.

2. Part-time Nanny

Part-time nannies work less than 30 hours or less per week. You may find a part-time nanny useful if:

  • You or your partner works a part-time job.
  • You’re a stay-at-home parent and want extra help with transportation of children.
  • You’d like someone to help out with activities for your kids a few days a week.
  • You need someone to watch your children for a few hours before/after school each day.

There are many scenarios in which a part-time nanny may be a great addition to your family. Typically, part-time nannies have all the same qualities as full-time nannies. Their role is still the same — to engage with your children and care for them as you would. Whether that’s helping with their homework, bathing them, preparing their meals, or putting together age-appropriate activities to help them learn.

3. Live-in Nanny

Some other types of nannies include live-in nannies. These nannies do exactly as their name suggests. Live-in nannies reside on your property, either in your home or a guest house. They work full-time and are expected to perform all the duties of a full-time nanny. 

Live-in nannies should be provided a private room and bath, and have set hours the same as a live-out nanny.

While having a live-in nanny can be very convenient, setting and maintaining boundaries is extremely important. Having a nanny living in your home can make it hard for you to respect the time they “clock out” for the day.

If you have the space to house a nanny, a live-in nanny might be the right choice for you.

4. Nanny House Manager 

A nanny house manager, or nanny housekeeper, cares for your home as well as your children. While they care for your children in the same way a typical nanny does, they also manage the home and are responsible for other household tasks. They may handle the cooking, laundry, grocery shopping, and other household responsibilities, such as management of other household staff and scheduling. 

A nanny house manager usually has higher rates to reflect the additional tasks they take care of.

5. Nanny Educator

A nanny educator, or educational nanny, has experience and training in teaching children. They have experience in providing educational activities, such as opportunities for play-based learning and hands-on activities. They offer teaching moments in the interactions all throughout the day. 

A nanny educator may offer tutoring for your child or assist and support your child through virtual learning. A nanny educator is familiar with childhood development and will work with your child to reach educational milestones, whether that’s emotional, cognitive, or academic skills. 

6. Nanny Share 

There are so many nanny options, and you’re still wondering how to pick a nanny. Have you considered a nanny share? 

A nanny share is when two families employ the same nanny together. Meaning, the nanny cares for both families’ children at the same time in one of the family’s homes. 

This can be a great option if you’re looking to cut costs and know of someone who’s also looking for a nanny. There are quite a few things to consider before going this route. Be sure to have a clear contract outlining each family’s role, and ensure everyone understands their responsibility in the nanny share. 

7. Night Nanny

Maybe you don’t need a nanny throughout the day, or maybe you have a little one and are looking for some help with caring for them. If so, a night nanny might be the right choice for you. Just as the name suggests, a night nanny cares for your child during the nighttime hours. They typically go on shift in the evening at a time you agree upon and care for your baby through the night. 

They assist with feeding — bottle feeding or bringing the baby to you to nurse — and may help with sleep training. They are responsible for getting the baby back to sleep at night so you can rest. Their shifts typically last 10-12 hours.

8. Temporary Nanny

There are many reasons a temporary nanny might be beneficial to your family. Whether you’re looking for backup care, a nanny to travel during vacation, or a nanny for a short-term situation, a temporary nanny can be a great fit. 

Temporary nannies have all the education and training as other nannies, but they specialize in working in temporary situations. 

Hello, Nanny! can help identify your best fit.

For someone trying to figure out how to pick a nanny, or even how to pay a nanny, the many types of nannies can be overwhelming. It’s a lot to figure out which choice is best for your family.

Working with a nanny placement agency can help avoid stress and overwhelm. We listen to your desires and needs and help you come up with a plan. We use our experience in the industry to assist you in making the best choice for your family. And the best part about it is Hello, Nanny! has a wide selection of nannies that have already been thoroughly screened and vetted. You can be sure you’re only choosing from experienced, professional nannies.

If looking at this list of nanny options has you feeling like you don’t know where to start, please reach out. We’d love to help your family find the perfect match as we’ve done with hundreds of other families. Contact us or start the process of finding your nanny here!