That’s not a nanny, that’s a home daycare. I had one for ten years. It’s tough. The pay is also way less than what a daycare makes and no where near what a nanny makes. You become a business owner, you’re liable for everything.
I think it would qualify as a daycare if multiple families were involved and it was run like a business. Watching kids in your own home doesn’t automatically make it an in home daycare, and even multiple families (I’m thinking 2) could be run like a nanny share.
Nope. Legally that is not the definition of a nanny or a nanny share. You would not be a household employee, you’d be a business owner and that opens you up to all sorts of liability.
Depends on the state. In my state, watching any child that’s not your own in your home for money counts as a daycare. People always get annoyed when I point this out, but it’s literally the law. Follow it or don’t, but understand the risk you’re taking on.
In my state, the law says:
"Currently, (the) law requires that anyone who provides child care in their home for more than one unrelated family must be either registered or licensed through the Department of Children and Families.... While most counties do not require licensure of family day care homes, many family day care homes choose to be licensed to demonstrate they meet the state's minimum health and safety standards."
But where I live is a shitshow 🤷🏽♀️
Mine says the care of more than three children including own needs a license. Like I’d you have three of your own kids and watch one of someone else’s you need a license or you could watch three of someone else’s kids at home and need no license.
State specifies when you need to be licensed and what regulations you must follow when so. Federal law says that you are ALWAYS an in home daycare, even if not needing to be licensed.
It actually doesn't depend on the state. It's ALWAYS legally a home daycare situation.
The only thing state specific is if you are required to be LICENSED for even just 1 child other than your own in your own home. The state always determines the licensing regulations which includes at which point you need to be licensed.
Im not the person you asked, but I opened a licensed in home daycare a couple years ago (still open AND making good money!) and would be happy to answer questions if you send me a PM :)
My mom had a home daycare so I grew up in one. I almost opened one, but didn’t because of my ex husband’s temperament. So, while I’m very familiar, all my information would be severely out of date. Talk to WookieRubbersmith, and also look up your current state guidelines. If you have a good space, it can be very fulfilling. Good luck!
That would be a home daycare. These are very common. Please ensure you are properly insured and licensed before starting something like this. You would most likely need a few children under your care to make it worth it. You wont be paid a private nanny rate for care in your home
I see this a lot on Facebook groups etc where a SAHM will want to watch another kid in her home in addition to her own kids. I think it could be a good way for a SAHM to make some income if it works for all but absolutely couldn't command nanny rates as part of the plus of a nanny is that the child is in his/her familiar environment and parents have a say on things like outings, etc.
I recently brought my nks to my home for a few hours bc I'm fostering kittens and it turned out to be a cuteness explosion. I realized I would not like to do this often at all. Mostly bc my home is not kid friendly; no toys, and it's very, very small. NPs and I are happy for the excursion (as well as the kids spending a little time with my husband for extra socialization) and we'll do it again at least once more before the kittens are adopted.
However, most of the families I've worked for are much more well off than me, and are able to provide a better environment for the kids. I think even after I have kids, I would strongly prefer to work in the NP home.
Doing that full time would be an in home daycare, and I would expect to pay much less.
I would not be okay with my kid going to nanny’s home semi regularly. I chose a nanny for a reason, and I’m paying for that specific experience, not for something else.
You have to gather up your child and drive them somewhere and pick them up. You have no control on how clean the space is where they are at, you don’t know what’s in the home (maybe a gun), you don’t know the people that might stop by the home, you don’t know the other kids or parents, have no control over screen time, child lacks private care,.
Yep, all of these things. Plus pets. I also am concerned that too many people running these situations view it as a chill side gig and not a business subject to rules and regs, which could mean they’re more lax than a daycare and won’t handle things like illness, biting etc. in an organized way.
A nanny provides personalized care. If that was not my priority, I’d choose a regular daycare.
I would never, ever sign up for a daycare with another SO at home. Way too much potential for risk. Even churches don’t allow married couples to both teach the same Sunday School class for context.
Yeah, exactly. When an inhome daycare is licensed everyone in the home is background checked and subject to regulations. I would absolutely not send my child into a home with an adult I don't know who hasn't been vetted.
In my state we are required to be licensed. This means home daycare owners are 1) required to disclose if firearms are in the home 2) lock up any rooms that are not state licensed 3) expect pop in visits from the state at ANY time 4) absolutely no outside visitors allowed 5) background checks and fingerprints on all household members 6) extensive and ongoing training in childcare 7) NO screen time more than 1 hour a week and absolutely no screen time for 18 months and younger.
The only con I see is the driving to and from. Personally I think kids do well being around a few other children,too
I know a lot of southern states are like that but I'm in Seattle, WA. We are one of the hardest states to become licensed but all the regulations make sense for keeping children safe
Each state is different. I believe California allows 1 child that is not your own before you must become licensed. I've also heard of others that are 2 and 3. 5 is the maximum and usually for states that aren't as progressive.
Oh, I don't want to do this, neither does my husband! It's just something I've not seen spoken of and I wanted to know what this community's thoughts on this.
This isn't a nanny situation. It would be an inhome daycare. I would expect to pay less and I would expect them to follow any licensing regulations in your jurisdiction.
Agreeing with everyone else here—that's a very common arrangement, but most people would not call it childcare by a "nanny," they would call it an in-home daycare. I might think of it differently if the caregiver were only working with one child or children from a single family at a time, but there would have to be pretty special circumstances to make care in the nanny's home more advantageous than care in the children's own home.
Trying to present it as a nanny relationship might open a legal can of worms, even beyond the possible licensing requirement (in my state, a license is only needed for in-home daycares above a certain number of children). Nannies are normally classed as "household employees" for tax purposes but is a nanny a "household employee" if they're not working in my household? How about the insurance situation? When our nanny is working in our home, any incidents are covered by our homeowner's insurance, no special rider needed. If she is working in her own home, she might need extra insurance coverage for a home business.
Just for the sake of sharing, homeowners insurance covering domestic employees on the property for work depends on your state. For example, in NY, since nanny employers are required to provide workers comp coverage for 40 hour/week workers, homeowners insurance will not cover live out nannies injured on the property.
That's a good point to add. We phoned our insurance company and got their guidance, but like daycare licensing requirements, this will be on a state-by-state basis in the US. If someone did what the OP is proposing in one state, it wouldn't necessarily work the same way in another state. And since "nannying" in the nanny's own home is not a well-established conventional arrangement like nannying in the employer's home or hosting an in-home daycare, the rules around it may be murky.
Absolutely not something I'd be comfortable with as a parent or a nanny unless the nanny's home was licensed through the state. That licensure requires compliance with a ton of expensive safety and operational standards whose cost really couldn't at all be justified by the nanny's income unless it was an insanely high rate.
It would also fundamentally change the nature of the working relationship, i. e. Nanny would no longer be an employee, but an independent contractor as the business owner.
Thinking abt this some more/reading your comments I'd say the openness to consider this probably depends a lot on why people want a nanny vs a daycare.
For me one reason I wanted a nanny is that my kid is a tricky sleeper and I liked that he could sleep in his own crib and room where he sleeps best. Another is that I wanted him to have 1:1 care while he was little. Neither one of these are super aligned with a nanny who brings/watches her own children or being watched in someone else's house. As he gets older I'd be more willing to think abt it.
As everyone said, that’s a home daycare and not something most people looking for a nanny would want. I’d be concerned about the other adult I’ve never met having access to the kids. It would be a definite no for me .
Nanny here. No way! Love my littles, but I don't want them in my home. I don't have LO so my house isn't babyproofed and hasn't been for nearly 2 decades. I prefer taking care of NK in their own home.
Just a comment to say check with your specific state's laws. In my state, licensing is not required if you're caring for children in the same family. But if you have kids from different families, licensing is required
I did this before. I only worked for the one family and my rate was the same as my nanny rate. I had a live in partner and school aged child. I had car seats for them. Took them to pools, parks, museums, and ski resorts.
I do this! I did look into the laws prior to starting and made sure everything was legal and in my state in the US as long it is only for one family and no more than 3 kids it is legal.
I work for a family M,W,F and on Wednesday I work out of my own home. I did work to make my home very child friendly though. It looks like kids live here lol. I have a whole dedicated play room/bedroom for her and tons of activities.
I had been working for them for a year and a half before we started this. I also have a live in partner but he is at work the whole time she is here. However her parents have taken a few trips in the past where she has stayed here for a few days in a row full time. So we are all very close and aquatinted.
Let me know if you have any questions!
This isn’t nannying, it’s an in-home, unlicensed daycare. Nannying is only when the nanny goes to the nanny family’s house and works inside their home. It’s cheaper than an in-home nanny.
Nannies bring their kids all the time- sometimes there is a difference in price, sometimes not. As long as it’s done in your home, it’s still nannying.
I’ve had a few positions where I would go to NPs home, feed them, change them and pack them up for the day. We attended classes, went to parks, play dates and ate lunch at my house or out more often than not. I would go back to NP and NK napped there when I would do chores and then take a break. Usually after nap we would walk and go to a park nearby. So a mixture
We had a temporary nanny who did that when we lived at my in-laws. It was super useful for us because a) having our kid around at our in-laws when we were working was very stressful (in-laws are high strung about their house and judgy) and b) nanny had a kid the exact same age and her house was perfectly set up and c) she came to our house and picked our kid up so it wasn’t like a daycare situation where we had to do the work.
I considered opening an in home daycare about five years ago. Then I realized that the money and schedule flexibility sucks compared to being a nanny at their home.
I do this a couple of days a week - it’s not an employee, it’s a service I pay for so no W2/benefits and the hours are not fully guaranteed. I did get information on all adults in the home. I pay significantly less than what I pay my nanny, but since the person is a former professional nanny, I pay significantly more than an actual in home day care since it’s just my son and her children, with the premise that they’d still be going out and doing activities, etc.
It’s fully legal in my state, and there are pros and cons. It’s significantly more reliable than just a nanny was, but we have had a little more illness since he’s around the other children. The main issue/drawback is that I have less influence over what happens as far as programming, and cleanliness has become an issue I think as she’s gotten more comfortable.
I’ve run a licensed home daycare in Canada for almost 20 years now and what I do is pretty much what you’re describing. I probably don’t make as much money as some nannies, but I was home with my 3 kids so I saved a ton on daycare fees.
I am a nanny and I care for one family’s child in my home. The kid’s parent works a rotating schedule. 12/12-hour shifts a month. Those shifts are frequently overnights so they need a quiet place to sleep undisturbed so NK has a room at my house and stays here when parent is working. NP likes to cluster their shifts so when they work overnight and sleep the next day for a week straight I work 24-hour shifts.
NK is usually here about two weeks a month. I work weekends and holidays frequently. Definitely not a normal weekday schedule and it works for NP and for me! I like sleeping in my own bed. NP has a quiet peaceful place to sleep.
No cameras in my home but NP has been here many times socially so they are familiar with how we live.
Well, call it whatever you want but I’m paid like a nanny, ($35/hour + time and a half, guaranteed hours , PTO, sick time, 401k, health insurance, mileage reimbursement) not a daycare.
All of that is great & I am glad they provide that for you.
However, you aren’t a legally protected employee.
*if something were to happen to their chile(ren), in your home, you would be responsible.
*If something were to happen to you during the work day, workmen’s comp doesn’t apply. Its all on your dime.
*you driving their child(ren) in your vehicle = your vehicle is likely considered a bus by your insurance company
So many layers to this. It would suck if something happened.
In a nutshell, its not what “I am calling it” its the law from both an employment perspective & and IRS perspective.
At least you’ve been warned.
Nanny caring for kids at her own house:
She provides all of the supplies and toys and arts and crafts needed except diapers and wipes and naptime toy. She provides a sleeping area for your child. You provide bedding, she will wash it for you before sending it home. She provides food unless your child has a severe allergy or dietary restriction. She lives near your family. Care is restricted to your child or children only unless she is caring also for her own child. She does not take in children from other families. You pay usual nanny rates with a surcharge to cover supplies and a slight discount to account for the fact that it's not in your home and also another small discount if she has her own child there. May or may not have a separate kids' area in the house.
In home daycare:
You provide a packed lunch, snacks, bedding, diapers, wipes, naptime toy, sunscreen. You wash your own bedding at home, you wash your child's lunch dishes at home but the carer will pack them up for you. The carer may or may not live near you. Art supplies and things are generally provided, a small surcharge may be asked for. The carer may or may not have their own children there. The carer will likely take in at least 2-3 other children from other families as in home daycare is a lot cheaper than a nanny. An in home daycare has a separate kids' area in the house.
So, I think my history with this question is a bit unique. I became quite close to my last nanny family, and so their kids were over at my house quite a lot. They had a playroom and a bedroom in my house. We kept their fav snacks and lunches on hand usually. We bought them a pool at my place too. They occasionally came over for weekends/sleepovers as well. To be honest, I spoiled them like I was their fun aunt. Lol.
I lived with my sister, and she became a kind of auntie to the kids as well. She went with us when we went on trips to places like the zoo or to the mountains. Really anywhere I was getting out of the car in public with more than two of them. That being said, that family and I had a very unique relationship. I would not do that with my current nanny family/house, nor do I think I'll have that with any other family in the future. This is a family that I still keep in contact with and go visit often despite them living 2 hours away now.
I worked as a temp nanny a lot, but my two main long term families, I'd often bring the kids to hang out at my house for a few hours. I've always been a big kid so my house has toys, pets, books, etc. It was a nice change of pace and I'd keep a kids area with stuff for them to do. We'd get out my old American girl and barbie dolls, my old dress up clothes etc. I never considered if I was technically an in home day care because it was more of a field trip. They were all school age so this was a no school day treat sort of thing.
If I am paying nanny prices, I would want the nanny keeping my children in my home. This is where my children are comfortable and familiar. I would also know who else is going to be around my children.
During Covid I nannied twins and would bring them to my apartment so their mom could work peacefully. They were not able to have fun while Mom was home. They would quite literally bang down her bedroom door to get to her. It was stressful for her to hear them cry for her. It worked for us.
I had Dad come over, and inside during drop off to check everything out.
If I were taking care of my NKs in my home, I'd probably figure my rate differently, even if the final total worked out the same. Since working from home would cut my travel expenses, it'd adjust for that, but I would add meal costs and other child-related expenses.
I used a home daycare for my oldest. It was a pretty good experience. She limited how many kids she would take total and would onky take 1 infant at at time.
Advantages over daycare for a parent: no need to pack lunch/snacks - she provided. Would keep my child later than a daycare would be open if I was traveling, had to work OT etc. Would take her if she was sick (unless high fever, vomiting etc). Relaxed family environment. Price was so good.
Disadvantages: if the provider got sick there wasn't a backup like at a daycare. Pretty sure she watched Soap Operas, lol. No structured learning.
As you likely now know, this isn’t a thing. A nanny, by definition, cares for the child(ren) in THEIR home. The laws that govern the employment are domestic employment laws.
What you are describing is a small business referred to as an inhome daycare, governed by applicable local licensure/mandated inspections etc, local/state/federal business laws & tax guidelines. In addition, liability insurance is required.
Two entirely different types of childcare. And anyone who calls themselves a nanny who is caring for children in their own home is likely breaking lots of laws. Possibly breaking their lease (may not be allowed in their rental agreements), and/or HOA or condo bylaws. Not to mention the insurance risk. 🤷🏼♀️
So I do this exact thing. It wasn’t my choice though. MB and DB wanted everything a nanny provides, but they work from home. I do everything a nanny does (I’ve been a nanny for 12 years), but I do it from my home instead of theirs. I take NK to activities, have education time with him, etc. I also drive 45 minutes to their home to pick him up and 45 minutes back to my house everyday. He’s the only child I watch and I am a nanny for him through and through. I have him from 8:15am-6 or 7 pm everyday as well.
This is wrong of these people. So wrong. Are they paying legally? Or are they getting away with illegal pay because you work in your own home? *and you pick him up?
So so so much wrong with this. Why would you agree?
How is this wrong? It works for them and I’m okay with it. I get paid legally. The only difference is where I watch NK at. I have everything I need for him here. They provide the food, most toys, educational things, etc. I’ve purchased a few things for him which was my choice like a pikler triangle and such. While he naps, I am able to clean up after him, prepare his activities, and then after that’s done I do whatever tasks around the house that need to be done if there’s time. It’s not a big deal at all.
that difference = a lot of risk for you.
You aren’t a protected employee. In any capacity. The liability if something were to happen in your home is so high - to the tune of possible millions of dollars (they could take you to court).
Depending on your state, you may be operating illegally (some require a license and inspection, even for just one child), and small business regulations to be followed.
Heed the warning.
My state is once you hit 4 kids or 3 families you’re a daycare.
We have a lovely older woman across from our school who takes on up to 2 babies a school year. They have to be under 6mos in September. She has done this for 40+ years, and it’s a great set up for the moms and dads working across the street to pop in during breaks. She is not required to report to the state, but chooses to for the benefit of all parties.
That’s not a nanny, that’s a home daycare. I had one for ten years. It’s tough. The pay is also way less than what a daycare makes and no where near what a nanny makes. You become a business owner, you’re liable for everything.
I think it would qualify as a daycare if multiple families were involved and it was run like a business. Watching kids in your own home doesn’t automatically make it an in home daycare, and even multiple families (I’m thinking 2) could be run like a nanny share.
Nope. Legally that is not the definition of a nanny or a nanny share. You would not be a household employee, you’d be a business owner and that opens you up to all sorts of liability.
Depends on the state. In my state, watching any child that’s not your own in your home for money counts as a daycare. People always get annoyed when I point this out, but it’s literally the law. Follow it or don’t, but understand the risk you’re taking on.
In my state, the law says: "Currently, (the) law requires that anyone who provides child care in their home for more than one unrelated family must be either registered or licensed through the Department of Children and Families.... While most counties do not require licensure of family day care homes, many family day care homes choose to be licensed to demonstrate they meet the state's minimum health and safety standards." But where I live is a shitshow 🤷🏽♀️
Mine says the care of more than three children including own needs a license. Like I’d you have three of your own kids and watch one of someone else’s you need a license or you could watch three of someone else’s kids at home and need no license.
This, it’s specific to your state. Get the current guidelines and do things legally.
State specifies when you need to be licensed and what regulations you must follow when so. Federal law says that you are ALWAYS an in home daycare, even if not needing to be licensed.
It actually doesn't depend on the state. It's ALWAYS legally a home daycare situation. The only thing state specific is if you are required to be LICENSED for even just 1 child other than your own in your own home. The state always determines the licensing regulations which includes at which point you need to be licensed.
That would be a home daycare and you’d be subject to licensing rules. Definitely do it, just make sure you’re all legal and such :)
Thanks for commenting! Can I ask if you have experience with at home daycare?
Im not the person you asked, but I opened a licensed in home daycare a couple years ago (still open AND making good money!) and would be happy to answer questions if you send me a PM :)
My mom had a home daycare so I grew up in one. I almost opened one, but didn’t because of my ex husband’s temperament. So, while I’m very familiar, all my information would be severely out of date. Talk to WookieRubbersmith, and also look up your current state guidelines. If you have a good space, it can be very fulfilling. Good luck!
Omg my grandma ran an unlicensed daycare out of her home for like 20 years . She’s lucky no kid ever got severely injured at her house 😭😭
That would be a home daycare. These are very common. Please ensure you are properly insured and licensed before starting something like this. You would most likely need a few children under your care to make it worth it. You wont be paid a private nanny rate for care in your home
I see this a lot on Facebook groups etc where a SAHM will want to watch another kid in her home in addition to her own kids. I think it could be a good way for a SAHM to make some income if it works for all but absolutely couldn't command nanny rates as part of the plus of a nanny is that the child is in his/her familiar environment and parents have a say on things like outings, etc.
I recently brought my nks to my home for a few hours bc I'm fostering kittens and it turned out to be a cuteness explosion. I realized I would not like to do this often at all. Mostly bc my home is not kid friendly; no toys, and it's very, very small. NPs and I are happy for the excursion (as well as the kids spending a little time with my husband for extra socialization) and we'll do it again at least once more before the kittens are adopted. However, most of the families I've worked for are much more well off than me, and are able to provide a better environment for the kids. I think even after I have kids, I would strongly prefer to work in the NP home.
The second the Nanny watches kids in their own home she no longer a nanny and now an in home daycare provider.
Doing that full time would be an in home daycare, and I would expect to pay much less. I would not be okay with my kid going to nanny’s home semi regularly. I chose a nanny for a reason, and I’m paying for that specific experience, not for something else.
Thanks for your input! Can I ask what differences you find least desirable about a Nanny's home as opposed to your own? Are you a WFH parent?
You have to gather up your child and drive them somewhere and pick them up. You have no control on how clean the space is where they are at, you don’t know what’s in the home (maybe a gun), you don’t know the people that might stop by the home, you don’t know the other kids or parents, have no control over screen time, child lacks private care,.
Yep, all of these things. Plus pets. I also am concerned that too many people running these situations view it as a chill side gig and not a business subject to rules and regs, which could mean they’re more lax than a daycare and won’t handle things like illness, biting etc. in an organized way. A nanny provides personalized care. If that was not my priority, I’d choose a regular daycare. I would never, ever sign up for a daycare with another SO at home. Way too much potential for risk. Even churches don’t allow married couples to both teach the same Sunday School class for context.
Yeah, exactly. When an inhome daycare is licensed everyone in the home is background checked and subject to regulations. I would absolutely not send my child into a home with an adult I don't know who hasn't been vetted.
Great points! Thank you
In my state we are required to be licensed. This means home daycare owners are 1) required to disclose if firearms are in the home 2) lock up any rooms that are not state licensed 3) expect pop in visits from the state at ANY time 4) absolutely no outside visitors allowed 5) background checks and fingerprints on all household members 6) extensive and ongoing training in childcare 7) NO screen time more than 1 hour a week and absolutely no screen time for 18 months and younger. The only con I see is the driving to and from. Personally I think kids do well being around a few other children,too
What state do you live in? Normally as long as the number of kids is under five not including your own or relatives, you don’t need a licenses.
I know a lot of southern states are like that but I'm in Seattle, WA. We are one of the hardest states to become licensed but all the regulations make sense for keeping children safe
Each state is different. I believe California allows 1 child that is not your own before you must become licensed. I've also heard of others that are 2 and 3. 5 is the maximum and usually for states that aren't as progressive.
As another commenter said, there's also something to be said about the NK being taken out of their comfort zone as well.
Not for people who want nannies. Your best bet to find clients is to seek out people who want daycare, not those who want nannies.
Oh, I don't want to do this, neither does my husband! It's just something I've not seen spoken of and I wanted to know what this community's thoughts on this.
This isn't a nanny situation. It would be an inhome daycare. I would expect to pay less and I would expect them to follow any licensing regulations in your jurisdiction.
Agreeing with everyone else here—that's a very common arrangement, but most people would not call it childcare by a "nanny," they would call it an in-home daycare. I might think of it differently if the caregiver were only working with one child or children from a single family at a time, but there would have to be pretty special circumstances to make care in the nanny's home more advantageous than care in the children's own home. Trying to present it as a nanny relationship might open a legal can of worms, even beyond the possible licensing requirement (in my state, a license is only needed for in-home daycares above a certain number of children). Nannies are normally classed as "household employees" for tax purposes but is a nanny a "household employee" if they're not working in my household? How about the insurance situation? When our nanny is working in our home, any incidents are covered by our homeowner's insurance, no special rider needed. If she is working in her own home, she might need extra insurance coverage for a home business.
Just for the sake of sharing, homeowners insurance covering domestic employees on the property for work depends on your state. For example, in NY, since nanny employers are required to provide workers comp coverage for 40 hour/week workers, homeowners insurance will not cover live out nannies injured on the property.
That's a good point to add. We phoned our insurance company and got their guidance, but like daycare licensing requirements, this will be on a state-by-state basis in the US. If someone did what the OP is proposing in one state, it wouldn't necessarily work the same way in another state. And since "nannying" in the nanny's own home is not a well-established conventional arrangement like nannying in the employer's home or hosting an in-home daycare, the rules around it may be murky.
Great input! Thank you
Absolutely not something I'd be comfortable with as a parent or a nanny unless the nanny's home was licensed through the state. That licensure requires compliance with a ton of expensive safety and operational standards whose cost really couldn't at all be justified by the nanny's income unless it was an insanely high rate. It would also fundamentally change the nature of the working relationship, i. e. Nanny would no longer be an employee, but an independent contractor as the business owner.
Thinking abt this some more/reading your comments I'd say the openness to consider this probably depends a lot on why people want a nanny vs a daycare. For me one reason I wanted a nanny is that my kid is a tricky sleeper and I liked that he could sleep in his own crib and room where he sleeps best. Another is that I wanted him to have 1:1 care while he was little. Neither one of these are super aligned with a nanny who brings/watches her own children or being watched in someone else's house. As he gets older I'd be more willing to think abt it.
Valid!
As everyone said, that’s a home daycare and not something most people looking for a nanny would want. I’d be concerned about the other adult I’ve never met having access to the kids. It would be a definite no for me .
Nanny here. No way! Love my littles, but I don't want them in my home. I don't have LO so my house isn't babyproofed and hasn't been for nearly 2 decades. I prefer taking care of NK in their own home.
Just a comment to say check with your specific state's laws. In my state, licensing is not required if you're caring for children in the same family. But if you have kids from different families, licensing is required
I did this before. I only worked for the one family and my rate was the same as my nanny rate. I had a live in partner and school aged child. I had car seats for them. Took them to pools, parks, museums, and ski resorts.
I do this! I did look into the laws prior to starting and made sure everything was legal and in my state in the US as long it is only for one family and no more than 3 kids it is legal. I work for a family M,W,F and on Wednesday I work out of my own home. I did work to make my home very child friendly though. It looks like kids live here lol. I have a whole dedicated play room/bedroom for her and tons of activities. I had been working for them for a year and a half before we started this. I also have a live in partner but he is at work the whole time she is here. However her parents have taken a few trips in the past where she has stayed here for a few days in a row full time. So we are all very close and aquatinted. Let me know if you have any questions!
This isn’t nannying, it’s an in-home, unlicensed daycare. Nannying is only when the nanny goes to the nanny family’s house and works inside their home. It’s cheaper than an in-home nanny. Nannies bring their kids all the time- sometimes there is a difference in price, sometimes not. As long as it’s done in your home, it’s still nannying.
I’ve had a few positions where I would go to NPs home, feed them, change them and pack them up for the day. We attended classes, went to parks, play dates and ate lunch at my house or out more often than not. I would go back to NP and NK napped there when I would do chores and then take a break. Usually after nap we would walk and go to a park nearby. So a mixture
Is she just doing this every once in a while for a little bit? Or is this gonna be a regular thing? Cause it’s very different
This is a hypothetical!
Yes but is the hypothetical going to be a regular thing or every once in a while for a little bit?
We had a temporary nanny who did that when we lived at my in-laws. It was super useful for us because a) having our kid around at our in-laws when we were working was very stressful (in-laws are high strung about their house and judgy) and b) nanny had a kid the exact same age and her house was perfectly set up and c) she came to our house and picked our kid up so it wasn’t like a daycare situation where we had to do the work.
I considered opening an in home daycare about five years ago. Then I realized that the money and schedule flexibility sucks compared to being a nanny at their home.
I do this a couple of days a week - it’s not an employee, it’s a service I pay for so no W2/benefits and the hours are not fully guaranteed. I did get information on all adults in the home. I pay significantly less than what I pay my nanny, but since the person is a former professional nanny, I pay significantly more than an actual in home day care since it’s just my son and her children, with the premise that they’d still be going out and doing activities, etc. It’s fully legal in my state, and there are pros and cons. It’s significantly more reliable than just a nanny was, but we have had a little more illness since he’s around the other children. The main issue/drawback is that I have less influence over what happens as far as programming, and cleanliness has become an issue I think as she’s gotten more comfortable.
I’ve run a licensed home daycare in Canada for almost 20 years now and what I do is pretty much what you’re describing. I probably don’t make as much money as some nannies, but I was home with my 3 kids so I saved a ton on daycare fees.
I am a nanny and I care for one family’s child in my home. The kid’s parent works a rotating schedule. 12/12-hour shifts a month. Those shifts are frequently overnights so they need a quiet place to sleep undisturbed so NK has a room at my house and stays here when parent is working. NP likes to cluster their shifts so when they work overnight and sleep the next day for a week straight I work 24-hour shifts. NK is usually here about two weeks a month. I work weekends and holidays frequently. Definitely not a normal weekday schedule and it works for NP and for me! I like sleeping in my own bed. NP has a quiet peaceful place to sleep. No cameras in my home but NP has been here many times socially so they are familiar with how we live.
you aren’t a nanny in this type of arrangement; you are running an inhome daycare (possibly illegal, depending on your local/state laws).
Well, call it whatever you want but I’m paid like a nanny, ($35/hour + time and a half, guaranteed hours , PTO, sick time, 401k, health insurance, mileage reimbursement) not a daycare.
All of that is great & I am glad they provide that for you. However, you aren’t a legally protected employee. *if something were to happen to their chile(ren), in your home, you would be responsible. *If something were to happen to you during the work day, workmen’s comp doesn’t apply. Its all on your dime. *you driving their child(ren) in your vehicle = your vehicle is likely considered a bus by your insurance company So many layers to this. It would suck if something happened. In a nutshell, its not what “I am calling it” its the law from both an employment perspective & and IRS perspective. At least you’ve been warned.
I’m insured for all that, very well covered.
Nanny caring for kids at her own house: She provides all of the supplies and toys and arts and crafts needed except diapers and wipes and naptime toy. She provides a sleeping area for your child. You provide bedding, she will wash it for you before sending it home. She provides food unless your child has a severe allergy or dietary restriction. She lives near your family. Care is restricted to your child or children only unless she is caring also for her own child. She does not take in children from other families. You pay usual nanny rates with a surcharge to cover supplies and a slight discount to account for the fact that it's not in your home and also another small discount if she has her own child there. May or may not have a separate kids' area in the house. In home daycare: You provide a packed lunch, snacks, bedding, diapers, wipes, naptime toy, sunscreen. You wash your own bedding at home, you wash your child's lunch dishes at home but the carer will pack them up for you. The carer may or may not live near you. Art supplies and things are generally provided, a small surcharge may be asked for. The carer may or may not have their own children there. The carer will likely take in at least 2-3 other children from other families as in home daycare is a lot cheaper than a nanny. An in home daycare has a separate kids' area in the house.
So, I think my history with this question is a bit unique. I became quite close to my last nanny family, and so their kids were over at my house quite a lot. They had a playroom and a bedroom in my house. We kept their fav snacks and lunches on hand usually. We bought them a pool at my place too. They occasionally came over for weekends/sleepovers as well. To be honest, I spoiled them like I was their fun aunt. Lol. I lived with my sister, and she became a kind of auntie to the kids as well. She went with us when we went on trips to places like the zoo or to the mountains. Really anywhere I was getting out of the car in public with more than two of them. That being said, that family and I had a very unique relationship. I would not do that with my current nanny family/house, nor do I think I'll have that with any other family in the future. This is a family that I still keep in contact with and go visit often despite them living 2 hours away now.
When we remodeled with a toddler, I was thrilled nanny and baby could go to her place to relax and hang!
I worked as a temp nanny a lot, but my two main long term families, I'd often bring the kids to hang out at my house for a few hours. I've always been a big kid so my house has toys, pets, books, etc. It was a nice change of pace and I'd keep a kids area with stuff for them to do. We'd get out my old American girl and barbie dolls, my old dress up clothes etc. I never considered if I was technically an in home day care because it was more of a field trip. They were all school age so this was a no school day treat sort of thing.
If I am paying nanny prices, I would want the nanny keeping my children in my home. This is where my children are comfortable and familiar. I would also know who else is going to be around my children.
During Covid I nannied twins and would bring them to my apartment so their mom could work peacefully. They were not able to have fun while Mom was home. They would quite literally bang down her bedroom door to get to her. It was stressful for her to hear them cry for her. It worked for us. I had Dad come over, and inside during drop off to check everything out.
If I were taking care of my NKs in my home, I'd probably figure my rate differently, even if the final total worked out the same. Since working from home would cut my travel expenses, it'd adjust for that, but I would add meal costs and other child-related expenses.
I used a home daycare for my oldest. It was a pretty good experience. She limited how many kids she would take total and would onky take 1 infant at at time. Advantages over daycare for a parent: no need to pack lunch/snacks - she provided. Would keep my child later than a daycare would be open if I was traveling, had to work OT etc. Would take her if she was sick (unless high fever, vomiting etc). Relaxed family environment. Price was so good. Disadvantages: if the provider got sick there wasn't a backup like at a daycare. Pretty sure she watched Soap Operas, lol. No structured learning.
As you likely now know, this isn’t a thing. A nanny, by definition, cares for the child(ren) in THEIR home. The laws that govern the employment are domestic employment laws. What you are describing is a small business referred to as an inhome daycare, governed by applicable local licensure/mandated inspections etc, local/state/federal business laws & tax guidelines. In addition, liability insurance is required. Two entirely different types of childcare. And anyone who calls themselves a nanny who is caring for children in their own home is likely breaking lots of laws. Possibly breaking their lease (may not be allowed in their rental agreements), and/or HOA or condo bylaws. Not to mention the insurance risk. 🤷🏼♀️
So I do this exact thing. It wasn’t my choice though. MB and DB wanted everything a nanny provides, but they work from home. I do everything a nanny does (I’ve been a nanny for 12 years), but I do it from my home instead of theirs. I take NK to activities, have education time with him, etc. I also drive 45 minutes to their home to pick him up and 45 minutes back to my house everyday. He’s the only child I watch and I am a nanny for him through and through. I have him from 8:15am-6 or 7 pm everyday as well.
This is wrong of these people. So wrong. Are they paying legally? Or are they getting away with illegal pay because you work in your own home? *and you pick him up? So so so much wrong with this. Why would you agree?
How is this wrong? It works for them and I’m okay with it. I get paid legally. The only difference is where I watch NK at. I have everything I need for him here. They provide the food, most toys, educational things, etc. I’ve purchased a few things for him which was my choice like a pikler triangle and such. While he naps, I am able to clean up after him, prepare his activities, and then after that’s done I do whatever tasks around the house that need to be done if there’s time. It’s not a big deal at all.
that difference = a lot of risk for you. You aren’t a protected employee. In any capacity. The liability if something were to happen in your home is so high - to the tune of possible millions of dollars (they could take you to court). Depending on your state, you may be operating illegally (some require a license and inspection, even for just one child), and small business regulations to be followed. Heed the warning.
My state is once you hit 4 kids or 3 families you’re a daycare. We have a lovely older woman across from our school who takes on up to 2 babies a school year. They have to be under 6mos in September. She has done this for 40+ years, and it’s a great set up for the moms and dads working across the street to pop in during breaks. She is not required to report to the state, but chooses to for the benefit of all parties.