Frequently Asked Questions
The specific qualifications required to be a nanny with an agency may vary, but generally, you will need to have:
- Experience: Experience caring for children of different ages is essential. At ABN we require a two-year minimum amount of experience.
- Education: A high school diploma or equivalent education is typically required. Some families may prefer nannies with certifications in child development or early childhood education.
- Training: CPR and first aid training is required for nannies, especially those caring for infants and young children.
- References: Five references are needed for your nanny profile. Positive references from previous families, childcare providers, or previous employers will strengthen your application.
- Clean background check: A clean background check is crucial for demonstrating your trustworthiness and suitability for childcare.
There are many benefits to working with a Above and Beyond Nannies, including:
- Finding placements: ABN has a network of families seeking childcare, so we can help to find placements that match your qualifications and preferences.
- Screening and paperwork: ABN handles the screening process and background checks for nannies, saving you time and effort. We also handle payroll, taxes, and other paperwork related to employment.
- Professional development: ABN often provides training and professional development opportunities for their nannies, helping you stay up to date on childcare practices and enhance your skills.
- Support and resources: ABN can provide support and resources to nannies throughout their employment, such as conflict resolution assistance, access to professional networks, and guidance on navigating childcare challenges.
We work with payroll experts, and/or help you to handle things properly on your own.
Your family will be responsible for withholding and paying taxes on the nanny’s wages, including Social Security, Medicare, and federal and state unemployment taxes. However, when you hire a nanny through ABN, our Referral Partners will be responsible for handling the details of the nanny’s taxes. We make it painless and so informative that it is the easiest possible option for you.
Here are some of the specific tax responsibilities that Payroll experts typically handle:
- Withholding and paying Social Security and Medicare taxes (FICA): The FICA tax rate is 7.65%, with half paid by the employer and half paid by the employee. Nanny agencies are responsible for withholding and paying the employer’s share of FICA taxes, as well as collecting and forwarding the employee’s share of FICA taxes.
- Withholding and paying federal and state unemployment taxes: The federal unemployment tax rate is 0.6%, and state unemployment tax rates vary. Nanny agencies are responsible for withholding and paying both federal and state unemployment taxes on the nanny’s wages.
- Filing W-2 forms: They will help handle filing W-2 forms with the Social Security Administration and providing W-2 copies to their nannies. W-2 forms report the nanny’s annual wages and taxes withheld.
- Filing Form 940: They will help handle filing Form 940 with the IRS to report their federal unemployment tax liability.
- Filing Form 941: They will help handle filing Form 941 with the IRS to report their Social Security and Medicare tax liability.
- Making tax payments: They will help handle making timely payments of all applicable taxes to the IRS and state tax agencies.
By assisting in handling all of the nanny’s taxes, we can save families time and effort and make certain that their nannies are properly compensated and protected.
Finding the right fit with a family can take anywhere from a week to six weeks.
Some things that can help to ensure a timelier placement are:
- Completing your profile. As soon as we have all the needed information, we are then able to start sending your profile to families.
- Check in with our office. Email or call at least once every week to update any temporary hours or answer any questions.
- Email or call after each interview, or trial shift, to discuss if the family seems like a good fit for you.
Our goal at ABN is to help provide nannies and families with the support and resources needed to find the perfect match.
Yes, it is highly recommended that the nanny and family sign an agreement. This is known as a nanny contract or nanny agreement. It is a legally binding document that outlines the terms of employment for the nanny.
A nanny contract can help to protect both the nanny and the family by clearly defining the nanny’s duties, responsibilities, and compensation. It can also help to prevent misunderstandings and disputes down the road.
Here are some of the benefits of having a nanny contract:
- It can help to ensure that both parties are on the same page about the expectations for the nanny’s role.
- It can help to prevent disputes over pay, benefits, and other terms of employment.
- It can provide a framework for resolving any disagreements that may arise.
- It can give the nanny peace of mind knowing that their rights are protected.
Here are some of the key things that should be included in a nanny contract:
- The nanny’s duties and responsibilities
- The nanny’s compensation, including pay rate, overtime pay, and benefits
- The nanny’s work schedule
- The nanny’s vacation and sick leave policies
The procedures for termination of employment:
- It is important to have a nanny contract reviewed by an attorney to ensure that it is legally binding and protects the rights of both the nanny and the family.
Here are some additional tips we use for writing your nannies nanny contract:
- Keep it simple and easy to understand.
- Use clear and concise language.
- Be specific about the nanny’s duties and responsibilities.
- Include a provision for resolving disputes.
- Have both parties sign and date the contract.
By taking the time to do a nanny contract, you can help to ensure a positive and productive relationship between the nanny and the family.
- Salary: This is the most basic and essential benefit that any employee should receive. The salary should be commensurate with the employee’s experience, qualifications, and responsibilities.
- Overtime pay: If a household employee works more than 40 hours in a week, they are entitled to overtime pay. Overtime pay is typically calculated at a rate of time and a half, which means that the employee earns 1.5 times their regular hourly wage for each hour of overtime.
- Paid time off: Household employees are typically entitled to paid time off, such as sick leave, vacation days, and holidays. The amount of paid time off that an employee receives will vary depending on their employer’s policies.
- Health insurance: Some employers offer to contribute to health insurance for their household employees. This can be a valuable benefit, as it can help to offset the cost of medical care.
- Other benefits: In addition to the benefits listed above, some employers may offer other benefits to their household employees, such as:
- Meal reimbursement: If a household employee is required to cook or prepare meals for their employer’s family, they may be reimbursed for the cost of groceries.
- Transportation reimbursement: If a household employee is required to use their own vehicle for work, they may be reimbursed for the cost of gas and mileage.
- Childcare: If a household employee has children of their own, their employer may provide them with childcare benefits. This could include a subsidy for childcare costs or access to on-site childcare.
- Professional development: Some employers offer professional development opportunities to their household employees. This could include training courses, conferences, or other learning opportunities.
The specific benefits that a household employee receives will vary depending on their employer. However, the benefits listed above are some of the most common benefits that are offered.
Here’s a comprehensive list of a typical nanny’s responsibilities:
Daily Care and Routines:
- Provide a safe and nurturing environment for the children. This includes ensuring the home is free from hazards, supervising children during play, and being prepared to handle minor emergencies.
- Plan and implement age-appropriate activities. This could include indoor and outdoor games, educational activities, arts and crafts, and story time.
- Prepare meals and snacks for the children. This may involve cooking from scratch, following recipes, or assembling pre-made meals.
- Help with bathing, dressing, and other daily routines. This could include assisting with brushing teeth, combing hair, and getting children ready for bed.
- Assist with potty training and diaper changes. This includes keeping track of toileting needs, cleaning up accidents, and providing positive reinforcement.
- Administer medication as prescribed by a doctor. This may involve giving oral medications, applying topical treatments, or using inhalers.
Emotional and Developmental Support:
- Provide emotional support and guidance to the children. This includes listening to their concerns, helping them resolve conflicts, and teaching them coping mechanisms for dealing with emotions.
Encourage social and emotional development. This could involve facilitating playdates, teaching children about empathy and respect, and helping them develop self-esteem. - Monitor children’s physical and emotional well-being. This includes observing for signs of illness or injury, reporting any concerns to parents, and following safety protocols.
- Enrich children’s learning and development through play and activities. This could involve introducing new concepts, encouraging exploration, and fostering curiosity.
- Implement age-appropriate discipline strategies. This may involve positive reinforcement, redirection, and clear communication of expectations.
Additional Responsibilities:
- Maintain communication with parents. This includes providing regular updates on the children’s activities, sharing observations, and addressing any concerns.
- Light housekeeping tasks in children’s areas. This could include tidying up playrooms, making beds, and washing dishes used for snacks.
- Accompany children to and from school or extracurricular activities. This may involve driving, using public transportation, or walking with children.
- Assist with homework and school projects. This could involve providing guidance, explaining concepts, and offering encouragement.
- Run errands related to the children’s needs. This might include picking up prescriptions, grocery shopping for children’s meals, or returning library books.
A Nanny is a childcare professional who provides full-time or part-time care for children in their own homes.
Provides a nurturing and stimulating environment for children. Plans and implements age-appropriate activities. Provides meals and snacks. Helps with bathing, dressing, and other daily routines.
Their qualifications typically are someone who has experience in childcare and early childhood development. May have a degree in early childhood education or a related field.
| Babysitter | A temporary childcare provider who typically cares for children for a few hours at a time. | May have experience caring for children but does not necessarily have any formal qualifications. | Provides basic care for children, such as playing games, watching movies, and helping with homework. May also prepare meals and snacks, and help with bathing and dressing. |
An Au Pair is A young person from a foreign country who lives with a host family and provides childcare in exchange for room, board, and a small stipend. | Typically between the ages of 18 and 26. Must have a driver’s license and be able to speak English fluently. | Provides childcare for up to 10 hours per day, and may also help with light housework. May also be expected to teach their host family about their culture. | |
A Household Manager is a person who oversees the day-to-day operations of a household. | May have experience in housekeeping, childcare, and/or personal assistance. | Manages household finances, hires and supervises staff, plans meals, and organizes social events. May also provide childcare, transportation, Household support, and other personal services.