You’ve vetted candidates, completed interviews and checked references. And, after all of the legwork, those nervous butterflies in your stomach are telling you that you’ve found ‘the one.’ But before you formalize the partnership and give your prospective nanny or family assistant that coveted rose, it’s time for a working trial.
A working trial gives you and your prospective nanny or family assistant the opportunity to evaluate whether the magic you felt during the interview process translates to real life. We’ll dive into what families can expect from their working nanny trial, the benefits of a working trial and how to evaluate if your candidate is really the right fit for your family.
What Is a Working Nanny Trial and Why It Matters
Just like you wouldn’t buy a new car without taking it for a spin or move to a new house without reviewing the disclosures, hiring a nanny or family assistant is equally momentous and deserves the same level of care. A working nanny trial is typically a short period of time, usually lasting 3-4 days and up to two weeks, where you’ll have the opportunity to see your prospective employee in action in your home and your routine. They’ll step in and support your family with childcare, household related tasks or any other responsibilities you already reviewed in the job description and during the interview process.
Since the working trial happens over a period of a few days, it helps you assess your candidate’s compatibility with your family, lifestyle and routine, and gives them the chance to get a feel for your household dynamics. While no candidate can showcase everything during a trial, the benefits are significant:
- Assessing compatibility — See how your caregiver connects with your child, communicates with you, and adapts to your household rhythm. Chemistry matters just as much as qualifications.
- Providing you peace of mind — Even with the most stellar references, handing your child off to somebody new can be nerve-wracking. Here, you’ll gain firsthand confidence in their ability to support your family. That reassurance makes moving forward with a hire far less stressful.
- Evaluating skills and experience — Observe their approach to safety, problem-solving, and daily responsibilities, whether that’s managing nap schedules, preparing meals, or mitigating a toddler meltdown. And, if you hired a nanny with a specific certification, this is also a good time to evaluate that skill in real-life situations.
- Setting expectations — Trials allow you to confirm whether the job description matches reality for both sides. It’s the perfect time to align on routines, boundaries, and communication styles before making a long-term commitment.
👉 Want to make your trial period seamless? Download Hello Nanny!’s Working Trial Guide, which includes a customizable daily schedule and tips to help you get the most out of this process.
How to Prepare for a Nanny Trial
While you are not onboarding your candidate fully, it is important to take the time to prepare for the working trial to make it successful and a good use of your (and their) time. Because a successful trial doesn’t just happen. It takes prep working to set everyone up for success. Here’s what to do and think about prior to day one:
Clarify expectations
Write down the specific responsibilities you’d like your candidate to take on during the trial and share it both verbally and in writing to your candidate. Be realistic—this isn’t the time to hand them your entire household and expect them to know exactly what to do. We suggest focusing on the core duties that matter most. When clarifying expectations, it’s also important to discuss details like hours, days and things like whether they’ll be driving your car (if the job requires it(.
Talk payment
All working trials should be compensated. Discuss payment and daily rate beforehand, and then pay promptly after each trial day.
Create a trial daily schedule
Outline each day in a way that mirrors your family’s routine. This gives your candidate a clear roadmap and allows you to see how they fit into your rhythm. For a daily schedule and insider tips, download our Working Trial Guide for Families.
Prepare your home
You certainly don’t need to do a deep clean of your home, but you’ll want to make sure supplies are stocked (diapers, snacks, craft materials) and walk them through key household details like the Wi-Fi password for baby monitor access or where you keep the first aid kit and emergency contact info.
Discuss with your kids
If your children are old enough, give them a heads-up about who this new person is and why (and when) they’ll be spending time together. Being upfront and honest helps set a positive, welcoming tone, and your kids won’t be caught off guard.
Plan time for check-ins
Build in a few moments at the beginning and end of each day to touch base. This shows respect for the caregiver’s effort and helps you both stay aligned.
A little preparation upfront helps ensure the trial is a true reflection of what day-to-day life could look like—without unnecessary confusion or stress.
What Families Should Observe During the Nanny Trial
At the heart of the working trial is compatibility and connection. For both you and your nanny, this experience is less about perfection and showing off credentials, and more about alignment with your family’s values, expectations and daily rhythm. Here are a few key areas to pay attention to:
- Connection with your children — Do your kids seem comfortable? Are they responding positively to the caregiver’s tone, energy, and style of play? While we recognize this can be hard to evaluate (especially if you have a baby with separation anxiety), you know your children best and may be able to pick up on their cues at their level of comfort and connection.
- Communication style — Are they proactive in checking in, asking clarifying questions, and sharing updates with you?
- Flexibility and problem solving — When plans change or a tantrum strikes, do they adapt calmly and confidently?
- Respect for boundaries and routines — Are they following the guidelines you’ve set around meals, naps, screen time, or discipline?
- Professionalism — Do they arrive on time, stay engaged, and show respect for your home and belongings?
Tips for a Successful Working Trial
A trial is a two-way street as your nanny or family assistant is also evaluating you as a potential employer. Making the experience collaborative and supportive benefits everyone.
- Be clear but not overwhelming — We know this is easier said than done when you’re inviting a potential new caregiver into your personal home. Be sure to share instructions and expectations upfront, but don’t micromanage. This allows the caregiver to demonstrate initiative.
- Offer tools and resources — Provide access to your family calendar, notes on allergies, or favorite activities so they can succeed.
- Encourage questions — Let your caregiver know it’s okay to ask for clarification. It shows they’re invested in doing things right. We suggest setting aside time for casual pop-ins to see if there’s anything your candidate needs to feel better supported during the nanny trial.
- Give space for connection — Step back during playtime or daily activities to allow them and your child to bond naturally without you hovering.
- Check in daily — Take 5–10 minutes at the end of each day to reflect on how things went—for both you and the caregiver.
👉 Pro Tip: Download Hello Nanny!’s Working Trial Guide for a ready-to-use daily schedule template and checklists that make this period of time smoother for everyone.
How to Evaluate If Your Candidate Is the Right Fit
When the trial wraps up, it’s normal to feel a mix of relief, nerves, and “what happens next?”. Choosing someone to help care for your child is one of the most personal decisions you’ll ever make, and one that should be made with thought and care. After all, you’re inviting a new person into your family, your routine and your home. A working trial will help provide context and a sense of ease, trust, and alignment that makes you think: yes, I can picture this person becoming part of our daily lives. Or maybe, On second thought, I’m glad we did this—I don’t think this person is the right fit for us now.
Here are the questions to ask yourself and any keep stakeholders in your family:
- How did my child respond? Did they build trust and connection with your child or was there resistance that didn’t ease over time?
- Did I feel at ease? Were you able to step back without worrying, or did you feel anxious about how things were going?
- Did they meet (or exceed) expectations? Did they follow your instructions and show initiative, or were there gaps that caused concern? Did their experience from their resume and expressed during their interview align with how they handled the trial days?
- Do our values align? Did their approach to discipline, communication, and caregiving feel consistent with your family’s values?
- Would this work long-term? Picture life with this person in six months. Does it feel like a fit—or a stretch?
Most parents know to trust their gut and this situation is no exception. Skills can be taught, but chemistry, trust, and alignment are harder to build. If you find yourself excited about the prospect of working together, that’s a great sign you’ve found the right match.
From Trial to Trust: The Last Step Before Saying “Yes”
At the end of the day, a working nanny trial is so much more than just evaluating skills. This crucial period gives you insight into how someone fits into the fabric of your family. Because no amount of resumes or glowing references can replace the peace of mind you’ll get from watching your caregiver connect with your kids and handle real-life moments in your home.
Think of this trial as your family’s test drive: a low-stakes way to confirm alignment, build trust, and feel confident about taking the next step. Whether it ends with a perfect match or the clarity that you need to keep looking, you’ll walk away empowered to make the best choice for your family’s future.
FAQs about Nanny Trials
Do you pay a nanny for a trial day?
Yes, a nanny trial is always paid. Discuss and agree upon a rate beforehand as well as method of payment.
How long should a nanny trial last?
A nanny working trial typically lasts anywhere from 3-4 days and up to two weeks.
What should I have my nanny do every day during the working trial period?
While not every single moment should be scheduled, it’s important to create a framework for your nanny’s working trial that includes actual responsibilities they would have should you decide to work together. For a daily working trial schedule, along with insider tips, download our working trial guide for families here.
What if the working trial doesn’t work out?
The whole point of a working trial is to discern whether you see a future with this nanny or family assistant candidate. If you don’t envision a long-term partnership, then the working trial was a success in the sense that this gave you both an opportunity to test the waters. It’s better to know that this isn’t a good fit now, then mistakenly hire someone you are not aligned with. If this does happen, you’ll need to revert back to your pool of candidates (luckily, an agency like Hello Nanny! can help you navigate this situation with ease).
What if the trial goes well? What’s next?
Congrats on finding your right fit (and peace of mind!). If you mutually decide to move forward, the next step is extending a formal job offer. We have an attorney-drafted work agreement should you need that extra bit of support to get you over the hiring finish line!
