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. As it may be difficult to find one depending on where you live, including, and being able to pay, a competitive and fair salary can make all the difference in attracting the right 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
Parents should start by determining their child care needs and build from there. These will depend very much on each family’s unique situation. If you have small children who haven’t started school yet, you may need someone to help out during the day. Others may need before- and after-school care. And overnight care may be required for families where both parents work and need to travel for their jobs.
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
Your nanny job description should be very specific. This is your first level of screening. Nannies who don’t match your description won’t get in touch, and those who do will jump right into the next step of the process.
Here’s an overview of what to include:
- 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. Give them a list of tasks they’ll be expected to do during their shift, and discuss any household chores, like cleaning the diaper bin or sterilizing bottles.
Your job posting should include a detailed list of all of these. Being specific will mean fewer applicants, but those who do apply will be a better fit.
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, you should include some information about your family’s dynamics and expectations.
If you want a nanny with a lot of energy who will play fitness-oriented games with your kids, then say so. Likewise, if you want someone who will help them with their homework, you should share that expectation.
And when you’re done listing the duties, go back and re-read it to make sure what you’re asking is reasonable. You can’t take care of potty training, homework, dinner, and laundry in two hours, and neither can a nanny. Expecting this would be unreasonable and unfair.
3. Qualifications
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 licence, 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.
By including in your listing any skills that are important to you, you can avoid wasting time on interviews with nannies that aren’t a good fit.
4. Parenting style
Another thing to consider including in a nanny ad is your parenting style. This is a good way to find candidates who gel with you. For example, some candidates may think that the term “respectful parenting style” is just another way of saying “no boundaries,” and they may skip you and move on. But if they find that approach appealing, on the other hand, they might get in touch and end up being a good fit.
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 behaviour.
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 neighbourhood. 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 Mount Royal 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 Nanaimo 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 licence, auto insurance and a clean driving record. The nanny can have a second job and/or take university 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 university 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 Burnaby 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.