After weighing the pros and cons of a nanny vs. day care and deciding that a nanny is best for your family, your next step is to write a nanny job posting that will land you the perfect nanny.
“The goal of the nanny job description is to attract the right nanny for your family,” says Elizabeth Malson, executive director at the U.S. Nanny Association. “Depending on your area, finding a nanny can be tough, so including, and being able to pay, a competitive and fair salary can make a huge difference in attracting ideal candidates.”
Of course, salary shouldn’t be the only thing you cover when writing a job description for a nanny. Here’s what else to include, according to experts.
Writing an effective nanny job posting
According to Lynn Ziefle, admissions officer and career counselor at the Nanny Institute, parents should start by determining their child care needs and build from there. “Every family is unique and so child care requirements will also be unique,” explains Ziefle. “Some families need daytime help for young children who are still at home. Others need before- and after-school care. If both parents are working and travel is involved, families may need overnight care.”
Once you’re clear on the type of child care you need, you can break down your job posting into sections, including:
1. Job summary
According to Lora Brawley, a 30-year nanny veteran and consultant and trainer at Nanny Care Hub in Federal Way, Washington, you want to get “very specific” when writing a nanny job description.
“The job description is a parent’s best initial screening tool,” she says. “When nannies don’t match, they’ll pass on contacting you. And on the flip side, if a job summary resonates with them, they’ll get excited and jump into the screening process.”
Here’s an overview of what to include, according to Brawley:
- Start date.
- Your area (for commuting).
- Wage range.
- Benefits offered.
- Number/ages of children.
- Brief description of your family.
- Brief description of your parenting style.
- Required qualifications.
- Brief description of the type of nanny that would work best with your family.
- Documents required (resume, reference letters, etc.).
- How to get in contact with you.
2. Duties and responsibilities
When it comes to the duties and responsibilities you want your nanny to undertake, again, be specific. “Providing a list of expected tasks during the nanny shift is important, as well as discussing any household chores, like cleaning the diaper bin or sterilizing bottles,” says Malson.
“Have a section in your job posting where you list all the activities and tasks that need to be completed by the nanny,” Ziefle adds. “By getting specific, you may have fewer applicants, but those who do apply will be a better fit for your family.”
Every family’s needs are different, so think about what would be most helpful to you and beneficial to your kids. In addition to logistical details, such as driving the kids to soccer practice, Ziefle says to include “some insights into your family dynamics and expectations, which will help you home in on the right fit for your family.”
“If you want a high-energy nanny who plays fitness-oriented games with the children, then share that expectation,” she says. “If you want a nanny who helps the children with after-school homework, then add it to the job description, as well.”
And when you’re done listing the duties, Malson says to go back and re-read it to make sure what you’re asking is reasonable.
“You can’t potty train, help with homework, cook dinner and get the laundry done in two hours, and neither can a nanny,” she says. “While you want to get as much help as you can, the job and your expectations need to be reasonable and fair.”
3. Qualifications
According to Malson, if you want the nanny to have specific skills or experiences, list them out. Skills and/or qualifications may include:
- Certification in CPR and first aid.
- A valid driver’s license, reliable transportation and clean driving record.
- Three professional references.
- Child care certifications, such as infant care classes and water safety certification.
- Second languages.
- Tutoring skills.
“If certain skills are important to you, they should be included in your listing so you don’t spend time interviewing nannies that aren’t the right fit,” notes Malson.
4. Parenting style
Another thing to consider including in a nanny ad is your parenting style. This, Brawley notes, is a good way to find candidates who gel with you. “For example, if you say you have a respectful parenting style in your job description, nannies who think that’s another way of saying ‘no boundaries’ will skip over you and move on,” she explains. “Conversely, when a nanny loves and practices that approach, they’ll immediately contact you, and they have a much better chance of being a great match for your family.”
Here’s an example of how to include your parenting style in your nanny posting:
We believe in and follow a respectful parenting approach. We’re definitely not perfect, but we’re committed! When Sam is upset, we give him the space and support he needs to share his feelings with us. We work with him to help him manage big feelings that come up and talk about how he can handle things differently moving forward. We don’t use timeouts, rewards, punishments or harsh communication. We use connection and other tools to manage his behavior.
Nanny job posting examples
Here are a few more examples of nanny job descriptions:
Example #1
Seeking nanny for infant and two school-aged kids:
We’d like to welcome a nanny into our family Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., starting September 9. We have a 10-month-old at home. Need pre-K pickup for 5-year-old at 12 p.m. so you will need to have a reliable vehicle. Afternoons include lunch, rest time and meeting our 7-year-old at the bus stop at 3:30 p.m. We’d love the nanny to oversee homework and then take the kids to the playground or for a run/walk around the neighborhood. We need help with dinners so preparing a meal kit while you feed the baby dinner and the older kids get 30 minutes of screen time would be amazing. We prefer a nanny who’s been flu and COVID vaccinated. Must have current CPR and first aid, as well as pass a background check and have at least two references. Hourly rate is $32, plus two week’s paid vacation, sick days and gas reimbursement. We’re in the Highland Park area. If interested, please send CV and references to the email address listed above.
Example #2
Looking for live-in nanny for 20+ hours a week, including some overnights
A single mom in the New Haven area is looking for a nonsmoking, live-in nanny to work 20+ hours per week to help care for a 4-year-old boy and help manage the household. The child is in day care (Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.) and a live-in is needed to build a strong bond with the child so the routine stays familiar when mom travels overnight (on average 2-4 nights a month) for business. The nanny will need to have a car, driver’s license, auto insurance and a clean driving record. The nanny can have a second job and/or take college classes when the child is at day care during the week as long as the nanny is available if there is an emergency or the child becomes ill and must go home.
In exchange for child care (including day care pickup/drop-off, sick days, driving to karate and swim class 3 days a week) and household management (light cooking, laundry, cleaning), the nanny will get a furnished private bedroom and bath with all utilities, plus an hourly rate of $25 per hour, as well as two week’s paid vacation.
The nanny must pass a background check, have current CPR and first aid, at least some college and/or a child care or nanny certification, at least 3 years of nanny experience, as well as at least three references. The ideal nanny will be looking to join our household long term with a minimum of a one-year commitment, starting October 1. For those who like pets, we have a cat. If interested, please send CV and references to the email address listed above.
Example #3
Looking for adventure-loving nanny to care for two active kids
Two moms in the Truro area are in search of a nanny to care for our two sons (5 and 10) Monday through Friday from 12 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., starting September 20. Logistics include picking our youngest up from preschool at noon each day, our oldest at 2:45, helping with homework and taking them to any after-school activities they may have. (Youngest plays soccer, oldest lacrosse).
We’re a super-active and outdoorsy family so a nanny that loves playing outside year-round and that doesn’t mind being sweaty or muddy is our kind of person. We live close to a lot of natural playgrounds so our kids regularly ride bikes, play tennis, swim and paddleboard in the summer, and snowboard in the winter. Our nanny match will love that stuff too and want to play along. We also need someone who is punctual, has a pitch-in attitude, is a decent cook and an LGBTQ+ ally. Hourly rate is $28, plus two week’s paid vacation. Must have current CPR and first aid, as well as pass a background check and have at least two references. If interested, send resume and references to the email listed.
Where to post your nanny ad
Once you’ve drafted a solid nanny job description, there are a number of places where you can post your job. Here are a few to consider:
- Social media. Local parenting and child care groups on Facebook are a great place to advertise for nanny help. There’s also a good chance you can chat and/or message with people they’ve previously worked for on the site.
- A nanny agency. Nanny agencies specialize in just that — placing local families with nannies. While all nannies through agencies are pre-screened, vetted and chock full of experience, keep in mind: There’s usually an engagement fee (some as high as $500 or more).
- Nanny websites. Sites and apps, such as Care, are a convenient, streamlined way to find quality babysitters, nannies and everything in between.
